Current in the Oosterschelde
Current largely determines how a dive in the Oosterschelde (Eastern Scheldt) unfolds. The speed and direction of the water change during the tide and can differ significantly per dive site.
When planning a dive, the time of high or low tide is therefore not the only thing that matters. It's mainly the expected current speed at the chosen dive site that determines how calm or fast-moving the conditions are.
What causes the current?
The current in the Oosterschelde is mainly caused by the tide. During the incoming tide, water flows into the area, and during the outgoing tide, it flows back out.
The shape of the Oosterschelde, with its various channels, branches and shallower sections, influences how the water moves locally. As a result, the current at two dive sites can differ significantly at the same moment.
How does the current change during the tide?
Current speed changes continuously. Starting from a period of little current, the speed increases, then reaches a maximum, and afterwards decreases again.
When the current changes direction, a slack occurs. Around that moment, the current speed temporarily drops sharply at many locations.
The strength of the current differs per tide. During spring tide, the differences between high and low tide are greater and the current is generally stronger. During neap tide, the tidal differences are smaller and the current is usually weaker as well.
Why does the current differ per dive site?
The Oosterschelde doesn't have a uniform current pattern everywhere. The position of a dive site relative to channels, shores and branches partly determines how the water flows there.
As a result, one dive site can be relatively calm for much of the tide, while at another location the current speed rises quickly.
This also means you can't simply use the conditions at one dive site to determine when it's calm at another site.
Always check the expected current for the specific location where you want to dive.
What does current speed mean?
Duiken Centraal shows the expected current speed in centimetres per second (cm/s). The higher the value, the more strongly the water moves.
What counts as a suitable current speed for you depends on, among other things, your experience, dive goal and preference. That's why the Tide Planner doesn't work with one fixed limit.
You can choose from 15, 20, 25 or 30 cm/s. The planner uses this value to determine when the expected current stays below your chosen limit.
This way, you can determine for yourself what you consider a suitable dive window.
Expected current per dive site
Want to know how the current develops at a specific dive site?
Check the expected current speed in the Tide Planner. There you can see when the current is expected to stay below your chosen limit.
The forecast provides an expectation of the conditions. Especially in the short term, weather such as wind can affect the actual current.
To the Tide Planner →Frequently asked questions
How strong is the current in the Oosterschelde?
That differs greatly per location and per moment in the tide. Some dive sites have relatively little current, while at other locations the speed can rise considerably during part of the tide.
When is the current strongest?
The current generally reaches its highest speed between two consecutive slack periods. The exact course and the maximum speed differ per dive site and per tide.
Is strong current always a problem?
Not necessarily. What is experienced as strong current depends on, among other things, your experience, dive plan and the goal of the dive. That's why Duiken Centraal doesn't use a fixed label like "safe" or "unsafe", but shows the expected current speed so you can judge the conditions yourself.
Does the current change with the moon phase?
Yes, indirectly. The moon influences the tide and therefore the differences in water level and the strength of the current. Around spring tide, at new and full moon, the tidal differences are greater and the current is generally stronger. Around neap tide, at first and last quarter, the differences are smaller and the current is usually weaker.
Can the actual current deviate from the forecast?
Yes. A current forecast is a model calculation, not a measurement of the conditions at that moment. Wind and local conditions, among other things, can cause the actual current to deviate from the forecast. That's why the forecast is mainly a tool for planning your dive in advance.
Current per dive site
The strength and direction of the current differ per location and moment. Check the expected current for a specific dive site in the Tide Planner.
Open the Tide Planner