Drift dive

A dive where you ride the current instead of fighting it while a boat follows the group; effortless, fast, and dependent on good DSMB skills.

A drift dive uses the current as transportation: the group enters up-current, flies along the reef or wall with minimal finning, and surfaces down-current where the boat, which has been following the divers' bubbles or surface marker, picks everyone up. Done well it is the most effortless form of diving, covering a kilometer or more of reef while you simply steer.

Drift technique centers on staying together and staying visible. The group holds a loose formation at the same depth, since currents differ between depths, and the guide or each buddy pair tows or deploys a DSMB so the boat can track them. Launching a DSMB from depth on a reel or spool is the signature drift skill, and entries are often negative, dropping immediately to avoid being scattered on the surface.

Classic drift destinations include Cozumel, where virtually every dive drifts the Palancar reefs, the passes of Rangiroa and Fakarava, and Komodo's channels. Timing around the tide and slack water defines how strong the ride is, so listen closely to the briefing and keep your buddy inside arm's reach of your slipstream. Gas consumption is usually excellent on drifts, but track it anyway.