Best Places to Drift Dive

Drift diving is a form of scuba diving where the diver doesn’t swim but is instead pushed along by the current. Depending upon the strength of the current, drift dives can either be calming, peaceful experiences or wild, unpredictable rides. No matter which you prefer, there are many places where drift diving is not only possible but may just be the only option. If you love drift diving or are looking to give it a try, read on to learn more about our top destinations for the ultimate drift diving experiences. 

 

Ulong Channel, Ulong Island, Palau

 

Widely regarded as one of the best drift dives in the world, Ulong Channel is an ideal spot for those looking to glide effortlessly through coral gardens teeming with marine life. Located near Ulong Island in Palau, this dive is perfect for both new and experienced divers. Home to a wide variety of reef fish, stingrays, and grey reef sharks, there’s plenty of action to watch as you drift along. Divers have even been known to use reef hooks, so they can hang out a bit longer and enjoy the show. Just be careful if you decide to do this; while you may be hooked in, the current has been known to whip divers around. 

 

Manta Point – Makassar Reef, Komodo Island, Indonesia

 

Located within the Komodo National Park in Indonesia, Manta Point, also known as Makassar Reef, is a gentle drift dive known for close encounters with manta rays. The reef, which is the largest in the park, offers shallow dives of up to 8 meters deep that are perfect for beginner divers. As the reef is a cleaning station for the manta rays, it’s not uncommon to see them in groups of three to six, although larger groups of up to thirty manta have been spotted in the area. Other marine life, including eagles rays, large napoleon fish, and reef sharks.

 

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

 

Generally speaking, drift diving near the Galapagos Islands is mainly intended for advanced divers, as the currents tend to shift suddenly and can be dangerous at times. It’s actually quite common to experience down currents here, a phenomenon where currents quickly and suddenly drop down into the ocean. If you’re not careful, you can be swept down with the currents into the deepest depths of the sea. Despite the dangers, the Galapagos offers incredible dive opportunities for those experienced enough to handle it. Teeming with an abundance of marine life, including schools of hammerhead sharks, mola mola fish (which can weigh up to 5,000 lbs!), and other large pelagic predators, there’s plenty to see and experience.

 

Santa Rosa Wall, Cozumel, Mexico

 

Cozumel is widely regarded as the best destination for drift diving in the Caribbean Sea, and the Santa Rosa Wall just so happens to be one of, if not the best, drift spot in the area. With a coral wall that begins at 15 meters and drops off into the deep blue, the Santa Rosa Wall is an incredibly biodiverse location offering both reef and pelagic marine life. Here you can encounter everything from sea turtles to eagle rays, giant groupers, and the ever-elusive toadfish, a reef fish once thought to be endemic to Cozumel. As if that wasn’t enough, the reef itself offers much to explore with its vibrant coral, giant sea fans, massive sponges, and hidden caves and tunnels. 



Clutha River, South Island, New Zealand

 

Located on the South Island of New Zealand, the Clutha River is considered by many to be the fastest river drift dive in the world. With currents that can reach up to 12 miles per hour, this dive is a wild ride, even for the most experienced divers. To make matters even more challenging, visibility can be low at times, meaning divers are often blindly swept along by the currents into the unknown. Despite this, or maybe because of it, many divers love it for the adrenaline rush it provides. The most famous spot along the river is known as Devil’s Nook and has been described by many as an underwater tornado. With 90-degree turns that create a powerful whirlpool, it’s the ultimate thrill for those looking to live – or dive – on the edge.

 

Blue Corner, Koror, Palau

 

The Blue Corner is undoubtedly the most popular dive site in Palau. Located near the island of Koror, the Blue Corner is unlike most other drift dives, as the goal is not to drift but to stay put. Here divers use metal hooks to secure themselves to the reef, as they’re surrounded by a plethora of sharks, groupers, reef fish, barracuda, and other pelagic predators. Offering visibility of up to 18 meters, the ridge at Blue Corner ranges from 15-20 meters in depth and extends out into the deep sea. This means that you’re sure to spot a wide variety of marine life, both big and small, no matter when you go.

 

Japanese Garden, Goat Island, Trinidad and Tobago

 

Considered to be one of the more popular dives in the Tobago area, the Japanese Garden offers it all, including fast currents that cut through narrow gaps and beautiful expansive coral gardens. One of the most famous aspects of this drift dive is what’s known as the Kamikaze Cut, a deep crevasse that all divers must pass through to reach the coral gardens. The passageway gets relatively narrow at some points, as slim as 2 meters, and causes quite the adrenaline rush for divers. While that might sound a bit frightening, we promise it’s well worth it, for the coral garden waiting on the other side is stunningly beautiful with its vibrant colors and abundant marine life.

 

Washing Machine, Highbourne Cay, Bahamas

 

Aptly named for its strong, twisting current, the Washing Machine is a topsy-turvy ride that should only be attempted by more experienced drift divers. Located near Highbourne Cay in the Bahamas, this dive site experiences the washing machine effect during its incoming tide, when the current is pushed through a small gap and off a ledge, where it makes a sharp left turn. Divers who get caught in this current usually get flipped head over heels in their very own spinning cycle. Don’t worry, though; it’s possible to avoid this fate if you like, although some divers do seem to enjoy the experience. Once you’ve made it past this crazy current, you’ll be free to explore a large reef that is home to nurse sharks, turtles, and a variety of reef fish.









References: 

 

Leave a Reply