Know your diving destination

Before you get in the water, get the scoop on your diving destination. Find out all you can about water clarity, temperature and depths, as well as boating traffic and diving regulations. These factors affect what diving equipment you'll bring and help you plan your dive.

Is the water murky, or clear enough for a camera? Are there sunken boats or other must-see underwater structures? How far off shore, and how deep? How do the tides behave?

Search online for area dive shops and club contact information. Local divers can tell you what to expect and give you tips, like the GPS coordinates of an interesting wreck. Call for up-to-the-minute condition reports, even if you've recently visited the area. Conditions can change quickly, and having the latest details helps you plan a successful diving trip.