Beach 8th Street Cleanup - Shore & Underwater

Every month, we conduct a shore and underwater cleanup at the classic local dive site, 108 Beach 8th St in Far Rockaway. While shore participants focus on cigarette butts, microplastic, and other trash, divers take their cutting tools to work and focus on ghost fishing gear. There is even a prize each month for "strangest find".

Shore Participants:

• Nondivers of all ages are welcome to join the shore cleanup!
• We will be picking up trash from the sand, focusing on microplastics, recreational trash, and cigarette butts.
• Trashbags and gloves are provided by the Underwater 4 All nonprofit organization.

Underwater Participants:

• Make sure to reserve your spot - there is a limited amount of rental equipment made available through the DIVERS-ity Initiative Organization (this excludes filled air cylinder: bring your own or rent one of ours for $20).
• We will remove recreational trash from the underwater, as well as cut out ghost fishing gear.
• Certified divers only who are comfortable diving with a buddy (not necessarily a dive professional). If you need a refresher, please schedule one BEFORE the Beach Cleanup.

Don't forget to bring UV protection/reef-safe sunscreen and a refillable water bottle! 

If you believe what we're doing is valuable, and are able to, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Underwater 4 All ($25 is suggested). 

Disclaimers:

• Dive times provided are based on 2023 NOAA Tide Predictions for Barren Island, Rockaway Inlet and are subject to change. Slack High Tide is at 3:49 PM. Plan to be in the water in the window of 2:49PM -4:49 PM.
• The window of time for best diving conditions is approximately within an hour of slack tide. All participants are responsible for assessing conditions and their own abilities, and the dive schedule may change accordingly.
• PLEASE NOTE: For health and safety reasons, we do NOT dive this site within 72 hours of heavy rainfall.
• Though there are dive professionals on-site, the expectation is that all participants are qualified at least to the level of Open Water Scuba Diver, which means that they do not require the supervision of a dive professional and can dive autonomously with a buddy to 60 feet.
• Beach cleanups, both on shore and underwater, are inherently risky. By participating, you agree to assume and manage the inherent risks and agree not to hold us liable for harm, to the extent provided by law.