Any Guided Dives To See Kelp, Seals, Etc..

[qwimjim]

I'll be in Los Angeles mid July with my family and we'll be driving up to Monterey, I've always wanted to dive in kelp forests and always see these videos where there's friendly seals or sea lions swimming around, i'm not sure what they are in the videos I won't have a dive partner on this trip so I was wondering if there are outfits that will do group/guided dives to the channel islands or Point Lobos, etc.. that anyone knows of?

The ones I've found are boat dives where they get you to the dive site but then you're on your own, I'm looking for Cozumel style where we all dive with a divemaster and anyone that's single can dive with the DM. Or someone who takes people out on shore dives at Point Lobos or anywhere in between Los Angles and Monterey.

Thanks!

 

[elgoog]

You can hire a private DM on practically all CA boats - you have to indicate that you want one at the time of your booking. Same for shore dives, the dive shops in the area will offer guided dives. It's not like Mexico where 1 DM leads the entire group but the DM will buddy up with you (at most you might share the DM with 1-2 more people, usually not more than that)
For both cases, try to book at least a week ahead of time so they're not scrambling to arrange for one.

 

[tennjay]

I used Bamboo Reef in Monterey to hire a guide for shore dives. Saw plenty of kelp and had a sea lion check me out. I would definitely use them again.

 

[qwimjim]

You can hire a private DM on practically all CA boats - you have to indicate that you want one at the time of your booking. Same for shore dives, the dive shops in the area will offer guided dives. It's not like Mexico where 1 DM leads the entire group but the DM will buddy up with you (at most you might share the DM with 1-2 more people, usually not more than that)
For both cases, try to book at least a week ahead of time so they're not scrambling to arrange for one.

oh great, any recommendations on what would be my best option to dive mid july for great visibility, kelp forest, and a really good chance of seeing seals or sea lions? i don't know the area -at all- and will only have the opportunity to dive once so i really want to get it right a shore dive would be cheaper and require less time away from family so that would be preferable but i'd do a boat dive if that meant getting the best dive

I used Bamboo Reef in Monterey to hire a guide for shore dives. Saw plenty of kelp and had a sea lion check me out. I would definitely use them again.

thanks! how was the visibility?

 

[drbill]

Boats in southern California usually won't leave you on your own. They will provide a buddy to dive with since solo diving is generally not allowed on most boats. If you want something more than that, you can always request a dive guide in advance.

The condition of our kelp forests in July remains to be seen. Two years of unusually warm water coupled with the nasty invasive Sargassum horneri have left the kelp in sad shape in many locations. With water warming up as summer approaches, kelp may not be very healthy.

It is also my experience that seals or sea lions are not common on most dives although they do pop up occasionally (like the one on my last dive here in our Casino Point Dive Park... it rested on top of an old wreck and kept giving us the curious eye).

 

[qwimjim]

Boats in southern California usually won't leave you on your own. They will provide a buddy to dive with since solo diving is generally not allowed on most boats. If you want something more than that, you can always request a dive guide in advance.

The condition of our kelp forests in July remains to be seen. Two years of unusually warm water coupled with the nasty invasive Sargassum horneri have left the kelp in sad shape in many locations. With water warming up as summer approaches, kelp may not be very healthy.

It is also my experience that seals or sea lions are not common on most dives although they do pop up occasionally (like the one on my last dive here in our Casino Point Dive Park... it rested on top of an old wreck and kept giving us the curious eye).

Thanks, I thought there was a couple of spots where seals or sea lions were pretty much guaranteed to be seen? I wish I could find the thread, a nursery perhaps?

 

[muzikbiz22]

Thanks, I thought there was a couple of spots where seals or sea lions were pretty much guaranteed to be seen? I wish I could find the thread, a nursery perhaps?

Santa Barbara Island, Coronado Islands.

 

[SOFDiver]

I went out with Raptor out of Ventura, went out to islands just over the line into Mexico. Sea seals were all over the islands and young ones buzzed us during the dives, even nipping divers hoods and fins. One side of island had large kelp field, lots of fun. I lived in Monterey for three years but left their in 1987, diving was great then but I assume things have changed. Sea Lions don't stay in Monterey all year, all over the jetties part of the year, then take off for greener pastures. Good luck!

 

[drbill]

Yes, Santa Barbara Island and the Coronados both have sea lions to see. Check dive boat schedules to see if anyone is going to either place. The duration of your stay in LA will be a big factor although it is in mid-summer which makes it more possible.

 

[diversteve]

practically all CA boats

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