Beyond the Fear: Diving with Confidence in Currents

I am into all sorts of diving, wrecks, caves, reefs, ice—all of it. But for me and many divers, the word current gives me a little apprehension when it comes to diving. Yet, it’s unusual to hear an experienced diver admit that; most people act like they have no fear of currents and just look forward to the rush, especially when they talk in public. But once you start having quieter talks on the boat with individuals, you'll realize currents are the cause of a lot of anxiety in diving.

I have a very healthy respect for currents, especially deep currents in blue water. A lot is going on during a dive like that, especially for photographers carrying big camera rigs that act like a sail. But the more I dive, the more I realize that in the past, I didn’t fear what I didn’t understand. These days, I still dive in currents; they are an essential part of high-quality diving, but I have an understanding and respect for them that allows me to tackle them in the safest way possible for me. I understand how to read them before and during a dive, what to do when things go wrong, and how to prepare with the right techniques and equipment so that I can approach these dives with confidence.

Why Do We Dive Currents

Some of the best dives in the world are defined by currents. They bring in rich nutrients, gather pelagic species, and create dynamic environments. Learning to understand and handle currents is therefore not just about safety but also about unlocking the very best that diving has to offer.

Currents are a defining feature of many of the ocean’s most celebrated destinations. Consider the legendary shark-filled channels of the Maldives, the great seamounts of the Galápagos, or the reefs of Komodo and Raja Ampat. These places are magnets for life because currents act as conveyors of food. They sweep across reefs carrying microscopic plankton, the base of the marine food web, and in turn attract everything from tiny reef fish to massive manta rays, whale sharks, and schools of predatory tuna.

For photographers, currents bring clear water by flushing away sediment while also aggregating marine life in predictable places. Without currents, many of these sites would be far less spectacular. Embracing currents with confidence is therefore part of embracing the very essence of high-quality diving.

How to Identify and Understand Currents

As you develop your own experience and knowledge of currents, it is absolutely critical to listen to local advice from people who dive those waters day in and day out. They are the experts of their waters, and a great dive briefing will allow you to understand how currents will be when you enter the water, how they can change underwater, and where you can duck and hide from them. As an experienced diver, if you still don’t feel confident after the briefing to dive with you and a buddy, then just ask for a guide and enjoy their expertise underwater. This is very valuable no matter how experienced you are.

On the surface, signs of water movement can often be seen in the texture of the water. Look for ripples moving in a consistent direction, lines of foam or debris that collect where currents converge, and areas where the water seems to be flowing more quickly than surrounding patches. Boats will often swing on their moorings to face into the current, providing another useful clue. In places with tidal currents, understanding the tide tables is essential, since the direction and strength of the water movement may change predictably with the tide. Before a current dive, I will often spend 5 minutes on the deck of the boat just observing what’s happening with the currents and gauging speeds. This will help me decide on things such as if I wish to be with a guide or if I want to take such a large camera rig on the dive.

Once underwater, currents reveal themselves in several ways. Watch for soft corals and sea fans that are all leaning in one direction. Observe fish behavior, since reef fish almost always face into the current to efficiently stay in place and maximize their ability to catch passing food. Clouds of anthias or fusiliers will hover in the water with their noses pointed upstream, giving away the flow. Pay attention also to your own body. If you are beginning to feel like you’re working harder than normal, then stop finning and see if you find yourself drifting steadily in one direction; the current is carrying you. Even subtle movements can be felt by relaxing and letting yourself become aware of the water. Experienced divers learn to read these signals instinctively and use them to plan positioning throughout the dive.

Don’t Be Afraid To Say No To A Dive

It is equally important to know when to say no to a dive. Not every current is manageable, and there is no shame in deciding that conditions are too strong. Divers sometimes feel pressure to join a dive because others are going, but recognizing your own limits is a vital safety skill. A good dive operator will never criticize someone for sitting out when currents are beyond their comfort zone. In fact, many accidents in current diving occur because individuals ignore their instincts or feel compelled to push on despite their doubts. There will always be another dive, but you only get one life. Being able to cancel, reschedule, or move to a different site is a sign of maturity as a diver, not weakness.

Managing Down Currents

Among the most feared scenarios is encountering a down current. These vertical currents can occur along walls or steep drop-offs where water is forced downward by topography. The sensation can be alarming as you suddenly feel yourself being pulled deeper despite your best efforts. The key is not to panic. Inflating your buoyancy device fully and kicking directly upward rarely works, as the current may be too strong to overcome head-on. Instead, the recommended approach is to swim out and away from the wall at a forty-five-degree angle, moving horizontally as well as upward. Down currents are usually localized phenomena, and once you leave the affected zone, you will return to normal conditions. Monitoring your depth and air supply closely is crucial during this process, as is staying calm so you can think clearly.

I have myself been on a dive in Komodo, Indonesia, at a very famous dive site called Batu Balong, where we had a strong current. But as I swam to the edges of the pinnacle, I could feel the sideways current becoming a down current. I could see ahead the direction of the corals and that the fish had disappeared, which showed me the current was very strong just slightly further ahead of me. As a result, I turned around, avoided the area, and aborted the dive, knowing the surface was the safest place. When I returned to the main ship, it was a long time before anyone else returned, and when they did, they were as white as a ghost with cuts and scrapes on their hands and arms and damaged wetsuits. They had ended up stuck in the down current and had to effectively rock climb their way out of the situation as there was no other way.

It was my foresight in seeing the current and not being afraid to call the dive that was the right call and prevented me from getting into that same situation. This confidence comes from listening to the briefing, being aware of the risks, looking out for those risks, and then making the safety call based on my experience and with no fear of missing out or looking bad for calling a dive.

Safety Equipment

Equipment also plays a major role in current diving. A surface marker buoy (SMB) is essential, allowing boats to see you if you surface away from the planned exit point. In areas known for strong drifts, many divers carry larger delayed surface marker buoys (DSMBs) that are highly visible even in rough seas. A whistle or audible signaling device can also be invaluable when trying to attract attention at the surface. For safety underwater, a reef hook can be extremely useful when diving in strong currents, especially when you need to remain still in order to observe behavior such as manta cleaning stations. Properly deployed into bare rock or rubble, a reef hook allows you to hold position without exhausting yourself finning, while also keeping you off the coral itself. A line attached to the hook gives you a stable vantage point from which to watch pelagic life cruise past.

If you are going to be regularly diving places with currents and long drift dives, then in my opinion, a GPS tracker such as the Garmin InReach Mini becomes an absolutely essential piece of equipment.

Drift Diving

Drift diving, where currents are harnessed to carry divers effortlessly along a reef, is one of the best ways to explore a reef. To do it safely, divers must adopt specific techniques. Maintaining neutral buoyancy is essential so you maintain a constant depth and don’t find yourself getting deeper and deeper. Fighting the current will only burn energy and increase air consumption. Instead, allow yourself to glide along, steering gently with fins to avoid collisions with the reef. Staying close to the bottom can reduce current strength, as flows are often weaker nearer to the substrate than in mid-water. Currents can quickly separate divers, so it is best to dive in a compact formation and to remain aware of your buddy at all times rather than in larger groups that are hard to manage.

Communication with the dive guide and crew before entering the water is a major factor in handling currents successfully. Briefings should include expected current direction, strength, and potential hazards such as down currents or “washing machine” effects around pinnacles. Entry and exit procedures may vary depending on conditions, and everyone should be clear on the plan. In some locations, negative entries are used, meaning divers enter the water without inflating their BCDs and descend immediately to avoid being swept away at the surface. Be sure to have fully checked all your gear before attempting, especially your air source.

Mentality

Mental attitude is perhaps the most overlooked yet important aspect of current diving. Divers who tense up and resist the water often find themselves exhausted and anxious. Those who learn to flow with the current, accepting it as part of the environment, tend to conserve energy and enjoy the experience more fully. Relaxation, steady breathing, and trust in the training and equipment all help in keeping a calm and relaxed mind.

Currents can also influence dive planning in subtle ways. Photographers, for example, need to adapt their techniques. In strong current, holding position for macro work may be impossible, so wide-angle photography becomes more practical. Choosing a streamlined configuration minimizes drag and makes it easier to maneuver. Even small details such as securing hoses and accessories to prevent them from flapping can make a significant difference in comfort and control.

Conclusion

From a broader perspective, learning to dive in currents opens the door to some of the planet’s most remarkable experiences. Seeing the walls of sharks rising from the channels in the Maldives, hooking into a ridge in Komodo while manta rays sweep overhead, or seeing the corals pop as the currents feed them are all moments defined by currents. These moments can be among the pinnacle of diving and are worth learning the skills needed to make for a relaxed experience.

Handling currents underwater is therefore a matter of preparation, observation, technique, and respect. Learning to read them before and during a dive gives you the ability to anticipate and adapt. Knowing when to call off a dive demonstrates maturity and keeps you safe. Recognizing how to react in emergencies such as down currents provides confidence. Equipping yourself properly and practicing drift diving techniques ensures comfort. Above all, embracing currents with the right mindset allows you to experience some of the greatest diving moments in the world.

To dive well in currents is to harmonize with that motion rather than fight against it. With knowledge, skill, and respect, what once seemed daunting becomes very rewarding. Strong currents will always give me a little apprehension, though, and it is that apprehension and respect that helps keep me safe and out of trouble.