Ocean Safety

These principles are general information, not a substitute for qualified instruction, local advice or official safety guidance. Never let a destination guide, ours included, override what you see in the water or what local professionals tell you.

Surf

• Skill level: surf waves suited to your ability. Famous does not mean beginner-friendly.
• Reef breaks: ask about depth at each stage of the tide, learn safe entry and exit points and consider reef boots.
• Currents: learn to recognise rip currents and channels, and how to move out of them.
• Local conditions: use local guides at unfamiliar breaks; swell, wind and tide change spots hour by hour.
• Lifeguards: where present, follow their flags and advice. Where absent, never surf alone.

Ocean Safety: What Every Luxury Surf Traveller Should Know

Scuba diving

• Certified operators: dive with qualified, reputable operators and dive within your training.
• Equipment standards: well-maintained equipment and a proper pre-dive check.
• Dive planning: conservative profiles, sensible guide ratios and clear briefings.
• Weather conditions: current, swell and visibility can change quickly. Be willing to cancel.
• Local regulations: marine-park rules and the no-fly interval after diving.

Freediving

• Never freedive alone.
• Use a trained buddy who watches every dive from the surface.
• Do not compete with depth or breath-hold records.
• Do not hyperventilate.
• Follow qualified instruction from a recognised training organisation.
• Respect local conditions: current, wind, boat traffic and temperature.

Ocean Safety: Freediving, Buddy Systems and Local Conditions

Wildlife

Keep your distance, never touch or feed animals and follow local codes of conduct. A respectful encounter is safer for you and for the animal.

Insurance and health

Check that your travel insurance explicitly covers surfing, diving or freediving and, for remote destinations, medical evacuation. Seek current health advice for your destination before travel.