Please note that this web site is based on the New Jersey Beach Diver book. The book is not a complete listing of all New Jersey beach sites but rather a guide to the most popular dive sites. We would like to ask divers to contact the publisher with any additional information so that we may update this text.

While reading this text, keep in mind that some locations are known by different names. We have listed most of these names in the index, listed above. 

Directions, parking, dive conditions, or even the legality of diving a particular site could change. Please use the information contained within this book only as a basic guideline, and let good diving skills, common sense, and courtesy lead you to enjoy New Jersey's excellent beach diving.

DIVING TIPS

Over the years local beach divers have developed or applied techniques and used certain pieces of equipment to make the sport easier, more enjoyable and safer. Here are a few tips that you might find useful.

SAFETY

A non-diver who comes along for the trip will not only be able to help divers with equipment, but should be informed about the complete dive plan and plan of action if divers do not return on schedule. This beach buddy also should be well informed on all of the diver OK and distress signals.

On remote beaches, a hand-held marine radio or CB will be very useful in the case of an emergency.

Always leave word at home where you will be diving.

A small first aid kit to manage minor cuts and bruises should be assembled and brought on every dive. 

SUITING UP

Sand causes the most aggravation to beach divers, as it seems to find the crevices of every piece of equipment such as wet suits, regulators, 0 rings, etc. To reduce the amount of sand in your gear, either suit up in the car or bring a large plastic tarp to stand on. Another good idea is to bring a bucket and fill it with water before the dive. This way, after finishing your dive, sand can be removed from your feet by stepping into the bucket before stepping back onto the tarp or into your car.

Some wet suits, especially rented ones are often very difficult to get into. One trick

is to mix up a solution of 75% water and 25% liquid soap and keep it readily available in a small squeeze bottle. This solution not only helps divers slip into their suits, but cleans the suit as well.

On cold and windy days, especially while diving in the winter, use your car or other structure as a wind barrier while suiting up or un-suiting.

Bringing a thermos filled with warm water, and pouring some into your gloves or wet suit boots will help take the chill off after a cold water dive. Reusable chemical heat packs also will come in very handy when trying to get rid of a chill.

DIVING

Once in the water, especially when diving a new location, always take a compass bearing straight out from the beach. This basic navigational information allows the diver to swim out and enjoy the dive, while always knowing at least the basic direction the shore is in. Divers can then swim in on a reciprocal course which should bring them back to shore without ever having to surface for directions. Once practiced, this technique should become almost second nature while diving. Another helpful navigational aid is to count the number of kick cycles it takes to swim out. With this count divers then know the approximate number of kick cycles it will take to return to shore, but remember that the kick cycles do not compensate for any changes in current.

If a boat engine is heard while you are submerged, lie flat on the bottom, if possible, next to a big rock until the sound fades. Do not surface to see where the boat is until you are sure it's safe.

A diver can use a flashing light, or tap with the butt of a knife on his own tank to get the attention of his buddy, or other divers. Buddies who dive together should attempt better underwater communications through hand signals or by talking through their regulators. Talking takes some practice, but after awhile you and your buddy will understand what is being said. We have communicated this way in zero visibility when hand signals are of no use.

If you should locate a new wreck, or site that you want to return to, swim to the surface and while staying directly over the site, take compass bearings of two objects that are easily recognizable on the beach. Use objects that are permanent, easy to see, and far enough apart to create about a 90 degree angle.

This double compass course called triangulation is very accurate. If no compass is available, line up two objects on the beach. For example, a telephone pole and the left side of a house. Whatever your land bearings or land ranges are, draw out a little map, and this way, years down the line, you will still be able to find the same spot without having to rely on memory.

When trying to find any of the wrecks off the coast most divers usually find it easier to navigate out with a compass. If the wreck is not located the divers surface to check their land bearings. Recently diver Dan Lieb told us another technique he uses to locate a wreck. Dan recommends swimming out on the surface. The diver holds his dive flag which has a weighted line attached. The weight can be made of sinkers and does not have to be too heavy. While on the surface the diver swims out to the site. Once he passes over the wreck the weighted line bounces and catches into the wreck. The diver then swims down and secures his flag line to the wreck and begins to explore. Dan reports that this method saves on air and allows divers to use land ranges while swimming out to a site.

NIGHT DIVING

Night divers, or any diver for that matter, should never shine a dive light directly into anyone else's eyes. Doing so will ruin or reduce their night vision.

Night diving can be very productive, especially when searching for lobsters. Divers should bring at least two lights plus attach a cylume light stick to their regulator yoke. This chemical light stick enables dive teams to stay in contact with each other by monitoring the cylume light stick's glow.

Navigation back to shore can be made relatively easy by leaving a blinking light similar to a road hazard light on shore before entering the water. This light then gives divers a distinct point to navigate back to after their dive. Believe me, at night the entire coast could look remarkably similar, and this light should prevent some long walks back to your entry point.

UNDERWATER HUNTING

Night is definitely the best time to catch the nocturnal lobster. These tasty crustaceans also can be found during the day by searching through holes that are found in jetties, wrecks, etc. A strong, narrow beam dive light is the best type of light to use when trying to see deep inside these small caves. Mussels are often ignored by divers in search of dinner, but they shouldn't be, as they are very tasty. Mussels should be collected from mid-water where they are rinsed constantly by the tide and they will be clean and tender. Mussels clinging to poles near the surface in the sunlight will not be as tender, and mussels picked from the bottom will be full of sand or mud.