Shore Diving Techniques: How to Get In Safely

Shore diving gives you easy access to incredible dive sites—without needing a boat. But entering and exiting the water from land takes a bit more planning and technique to do it safely.

This guide covers the most common shore entry techniques, how to choose the right one for your site, and tips to avoid injuries or equipment damage.

Before You Enter: Pre-Dive Planning

Always check:

• Surf and current conditions (especially on ocean shores)
• Tide schedule (important for rocky or reef areas)
• Entry and exit points—and whether they change with conditions
• Bottom composition—sand, rocks, coral, or slippery algae?

Bring and review:

• Your dive plan (use GUE EDGE or a similar method)
• Your gear configuration—ensure nothing will drag or catch (see What Goes in Your Thigh Pockets)
• Local rules—some sites require flag floats or restrict access during certain times
• Consider using a Pre-Dive Checklist to make sure nothing is overlooked
• After entering the water and before descending, perform a quick bubble check with your buddy to catch any hose leaks or issues early

Shore Diving in the Midwest (Quarry Diving)

In the Chicagoland area, we do shore entries all the time at local dive quarries like Three Oaks and Pearl Lake. These freshwater sites typically have:

• No surf or tides
• Stable shorelines with shallow walk-in entries
• Flat gravel or sand ramps

That means forward walking into the water is often simple and safe—no need to back in or time wave sets. Most divers still carry their fins by hand, but clipping them to a D-ring keeps your hands free and reduces the risk of dropping them. Once in waist-deep water, you can don your fins with support from your buddy or by floating.

One thing to watch for in quarry diving: silt outs near the entry point. Kicking or walking too aggressively can stir up fine sediment, reducing visibility for everyone behind you. Move slowly and stay neutrally buoyant when possible.

Entry Techniques

Backwards Walk (Standard Beach Entry)

Best for: Gentle sloping sandy beaches with light surf

• Put on all gear except fins before reaching the water
• Walk backwards into the water until knee or thigh-deep
• Sit or kneel to don fins, or use a buddy for support
• Turn forward and swim out

Watch for: Sudden drop-offs or surf pushing you over

Side Shuffle

Best for: Uneven footing or moderate surf

• Face sideways to the waves
• Shuffle your feet one at a time to maintain balance
• Helps prevent getting knocked over by side currents or waves

Hand-and-Knee Crawl

Best for: Shallow, rocky or surge-heavy entries

• Keep weight off your knees
• Use gloved hands for support on rocks or reef
• Protects against slipping or wave surge

Caution: Avoid touching sharp coral or marine life

Exit Techniques

Plan your exit before entering:

• Use natural markers or flags to find your exit
• Time exits with lulls in surf—avoid rushing
• Remove fins in waist-deep water only if stable
• Consider backwards exit walk or hands-and-knees crawl if footing is poor

Safety Tips

• Watch your footing: Keep knees slightly bent for balance
• Use a snorkel when surface swimming
• Don’t rush—take your time through surf zones
• Protect your gear: Hold your mask and reg if waves are strong
• Gloves and booties help with traction and cuts
• Practice exits first without gear if you're unsure

Common Hazards to Avoid

Final Thoughts

Shore diving can be an amazing experience—but only if you respect the environment and approach your entry and exit with care. Each site is different, so take time to assess conditions and choose the right technique for a safe dive.