Dive spots for beginners near California

[StefinSB]

Concur with @Hethen57 regarding diving the Channel Islands out of Ventura. The Spectre is a great boat and I can also highly recommend it. And as a former divemaster on The Raptor, I can also highly recommend them. They go out every Saturday and Sunday for 2 and 3 tank trips from the same Ventura harbor as the the Spectre. They have an onsite dive shop (Ventura Dive and Sport) and also rent gear, if you need it. Tanks and weights are included in the price. They use 72 and 85 cubic foot steel tanks. Your choice. A possible consideration in making a choice between the two is that the giant stride entry from the Raptor is about a 3-6 inch drop and the giant stride from the Spectre is closer to 6 feet. Getting back on to the Spectre after your dive will also be a bit more challenging. The Spectre is a much bigger boat and will be more stable and if the seas get rough and you are susceptible to sea sickness. Also, the Raptor gets you out to the island(s) and back much quicker than the Spectre.
I think the Raptor is a bit more beginner friendly, having plenty of experience on both boats.
Raptor Dive Charters: Schedule and Reservation Information

Interesting. The raptor also feels like you are In a cattle truck on the way to the slaughterhouse when it’s fully booked. It’s fast though. Bring earplugs as the engine is quite noise. The peace out of Ventura is another opening. Great crew.

 

[AnthonyLM]

Concur with @Hethen57 regarding diving the Channel Islands out of Ventura. The Spectre is a great boat and I can also highly recommend it. And as a former divemaster on The Raptor, I can also highly recommend them. They go out every Saturday and Sunday for 2 and 3 tank trips from the same Ventura harbor as the the Spectre. They have an onsite dive shop (Ventura Dive and Sport) and also rent gear, if you need it. Tanks and weights are included in the price. They use 72 and 85 cubic foot steel tanks. Your choice. A possible consideration in making a choice between the two is that the giant stride entry from the Raptor is about a 3-6 inch drop and the giant stride from the Spectre is closer to 6 feet. Getting back on to the Spectre after your dive will also be a bit more challenging. The Spectre is a much bigger boat and will be more stable and if the seas get rough and you are susceptible to sea sickness. Also, the Raptor gets you out to the island(s) and back much quicker than the Spectre.
I think the Raptor is a bit more beginner friendly, having plenty of experience on both boats.
Raptor Dive Charters: Schedule and Reservation Information

Thanks for the link, I'll definitely check them out.

Two things I recommend paying money for even if you don't intend to do much cold water diving: a good pair of cold water gloves and a stretch neoprene type of hood. The gloves are a requirement for the cold alone let alone the abrasive things you may have to encounter. They keep the water warmed in your body to circulate around in the wetsuit otherwise you pump cold water in. A good fitting pair of gloves is essential too for adjusting stuff like your mask under your hood. The stretch type of neoprene is much superior to the standard neoprene hood. It's more flexible, easier to get on, keeps you warmer by fitting more snugly and doesn't tear your hair out when you try to take it off.

@Shasta_man do you have any brands or links to some of the gear you are referencing for me to take a look at?

 

[Trailboss123]

The raptor also feels like you are In a cattle truck on the way to the slaughterhouse when it’s fully booked.

That's a pretty strong and negative statement. If that was your experience, then I am in no position to contradict it and thanks for sharing it- but it doesn't reflect my feelings after hundreds of dives on the Raptor- even when fully booked. The only time I have ever noticed excessive engine noise was on the sole occasion that we had one of the 2 engines cut out while returning back to harbor from Anacapa Island.

 

[Esprise Me]

I'll echo the recommendations for Catalina and the dive boats already mentioned, as well as the day boats listed here: Southern California's Boat Diving Schedule - Online Reservations

I haven't dived NorCal yet but I can tell you 5 degrees is actually a big difference. Also, I've been to the NorCal coast many times and I can tell you the air is usually much cooler up there than down here, and that makes a bigger difference than you might think. So yeah, SoCal is probably worth the drive.

One thing you might consider is paying for guided dives at Casino Point on Catalina through Catalina Diver's Supply. Theoretically, your OW course should prepare you and your daughter to plan and execute your own dives together without the help of a guide or instructor. In reality, OW courses tend to be very cursory introductions that really skimp especially on dive planning, navigation, risk assessment, and other tools you need to be independent. Most newly-certified divers would benefit from a little extra time with a professional. Unfortunately, unlike many popular diving destinations, California dive boats tend not to offer guides unless you make special arrangements in advance and pay a lot extra. (I've been quoted $100 plus the full fare for the extra person, so another ~$240 on top of the ~$140 I'd pay for just myself). The cost of a guide at Casino Point isn't necessarily cheaper (I believe it's $78 per person for the first dive and $65 pp for each subsequent dive if you're not renting equipment from them; the first dive is $115 with equipment which is then yours for the day), but the price structure offers some flexibility, and their guides are really good. I did 2 guided dives with them right after I got certified, another 3 after my drysuit course, and others at various times when I've been trying new things or just needed to hire a buddy (FYI it's $20 extra if you're the only person signed up.) All the guides I've had have been instructors, many of them breathing compressed air longer than I've been breathing, and they've all helped me improve my skills and confidence. They've also shown me more stuff than I've seen diving the same park with experienced buddies. You could take the 8:15 ferry from Long Beach, book (in advance!) a guided dive at 10, and then play it by ear; they might have someone available for a second and third dive at noon and 2, or you might decide you can plan and execute your own second dive, or you can decide that was enough and go take a warm shower ($3 for 5 minutes just up the road) and get some burgers ($way more than burgers should cost, because everything is expensive on the island, but all food tastes incredible after you've worked up an appetite diving.)

Whatever you decide to do, have fun and good luck!

 

[saxman242]

Catalina has the benefit of also making for a fun, laid-back weekend when you're not under water.

You can spend the whole weekend diving at the park and have a great time.

 

[beepbird]

Look up Liquid Adrenalin Divers. Ruth Harris is an instructor over at the Catalina Casino Park Dive Park. She does a lot of the cruise ship snorkel trips. She's great with kids!

 

[spoolin01]

Try Breakwater beach in Monterey. Popular spot, good for moral support, park right there, dive shops and other support within walking distance, nice lawn to sit on.

 

[Shasta_man]

I was referring to the stretch type neoprene that's apparently now called Thermoprene by Henderson www.HendersonUSA.com. However, without checking specifically,I think more than one company makes that style product so you don't necessarily need that particular brand.

My entire suit is made out of that but my recommendation was that if you intended to rent wetsuits, it would be worth the cost to buy just the hood. That's based on my belief that most rental shops will not have that type of material for their rental gear. Without going into a detailed discussion, while having your own gear is preferred because you know it fits or works, I wouldn't invest in the rest of the suit for cold water until you have had a chance to dive cold at least a handful of times to determine if it is something you will do more than a few times (making buying the suit worth it) or just here and there and do mostly warm water vacation diving (so warm water focused gear). That could apply to the BC as well though you could use a cold water capable BC (lots of lift) in warm water.

BTW, I'm assuming that all the boats suggested are running these days given the dive boat tragedy. If you do go on any boat whether here, in Hawaii or anywhere, and I prefer liveaboards for my dive experiences, be very clear about getting info about where the exits are, where the lifejackets are, etc safety stuff. It's important but with your child, VERY important to be aware of

 

[Shasta_man]

Having gotten certified in Monterey myself, in like January timeframe, it is surprisingly warm out of the water. Unless it's a particularly foggy day and that usually goes away by late morning until mid afternoon at least, it can be nice.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Go to Breakwater in Monterey. Great beginner shore diving and lots of people around for moral support and friendship. Fun place and lots of places to eat after diving when you’re starving and everything sounds and smells good. Get a big French bread clam chowder bowl on the wharf.
You can come up here too and shore dive north of the GG bridge. I’ll take you guys to some spots that’s easy shore entry and interesting rocky diving. It’s colder here and you might freeze your fanny off, but look at the upside, everything else will seem warm after you dive up here.
I second the day trips on the Spectre in Ventura. I’ve been diving for years and I still love that boat and the diving, the open water students, the energy and excitement, the smiling faces, it’s all so great and so much fun!