The preparation for a dive trip is, in my opinion, one of the most exciting times. Getting all the gear prepared, booking the hotel, all the anticipation for what you believe is going to be an epic dive. One of the most disheartening moments is finding out that the weather isn’t necessarily cooperating with your dive plans. Please don’t think that we only are referring to rain or thunder storms in regard to how weather can ruin dive plans. It can be perfectly sunny without a cloud in the sky, yet the weather can completely ruin your dive. Wind is one of the largest hindrances to diving. A cool breeze can be refreshing, a wind speed of 25 to 30 knots can create large swells and ocean surges which make diving virtually impossible.
Checking the weather prior to a dive is something we constantly do. There are multiple weather apps which we have on our phones that help give us an indication of what the seas could be like. It is rare, especially in Florida, to have flat calm seas. If you get easily sea sick, it is best for you to take Dramamine the night before your dive and the morning of your dive; however, even taking Dramamine doesn’t mean you won’t get sick.
Don’t try to be a cowboy and go out on the water if the seas are large. We’ve heard stories of some divers who pushed to go on dives in 8-10 foot seas and immediately regretted it. One diver was recently telling us that the ocean surge was so strong that she soon became tired and actually felt nauseous at around 50 feet. She informed us that her and her husband elected to push through and go on the water even though the dive shop informed them that the wind and waves were at a height which would make the dive miserable.
You want your dive experience to be enjoyable, not to be a chore. Not to mention, dive shops can simply tell you “no” that they won’t take you out on the water if the weather is too rough. This is well within their right and the more responsible dive charters will decline to take divers out.
Ultimately, if you see that the wind speed is high, try to book your dive another day or at a different time during that day. Bear in mind, if the wind has been roaring for 5 days and seas have been growing over the course of those 5 days, visibility will most likely be diminished. Being a diver means watching the weather and carefully coordinating your dive. Don’t try to force anything, err on the side of caution.
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