How do you swim in high tide and strong currents?
Do not just float! There is no telling how far the current will pull you out to sea! What you are describing is a rip tide. They only occur on a portion of the beach, but can pull water and people out for miles. The best option is to swim along the shore until you do not feel the current pulling you outwards anymore. Then just swim to the beach. The waters around a rip tide are relatively calm.