So excluding shore diving from Catalina (sorry DrBill), where is the best shore diving LA County south?
Best SoCal Shore Diving
- Thread starter Otter
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OP
or South of Laguna.....Most of my shore diving is in Laguna Beach, but would like to expand my choices.
Otter
Otter
Arnaud
Contributor
I voted others. One of the best dives I've had was at Point Dune. Kind of far from OC, though.
That's okay Otter... I recognize Catalina is in a class by itself! Actually I haven't done a shore dive in mainland soCal since I dove Laguna Beach in 1969.
Dr. Bill
Dr. Bill
bluebanded goby
Contributor
Well, first of I'd have to vote for Bill's city of residence and nominate Casino Point as the best Southern California shore dive (it's in the Long Beach Unified School District, so it's hardly a foreign country!).
But if you're going to stick to strictly mainland beaches, there are lots of places in Palos Verdes, Laguna and points south with very good diving. However, most of these involve a considerable schlep down a hill (sometimes goat trail, in the case of PV) from car to water. Those of us past the age range of personal indestructibility appreciate convenient access.
With that in mind, I'd nominate Leo Carrillo in Malibu. Short, horizontal hop from the parking lot, nice reefs and kelp. The only other place I know in L.A. or Orange County with as easy access is White Point in Palos Verdes, and despite the interesting angle of the warm-water vents there, the nearly-always-poor vis is a big drawback.
I don't know San Diego diving as well -- the Marine Room would rate as a reasonably accessible spot, and I'm sure there are others. But if there's any other place than Leo Carrillo in L.A. or O.C. with as good diving and less than 10 feet elevation change from car to water, let me know!
But if you're going to stick to strictly mainland beaches, there are lots of places in Palos Verdes, Laguna and points south with very good diving. However, most of these involve a considerable schlep down a hill (sometimes goat trail, in the case of PV) from car to water. Those of us past the age range of personal indestructibility appreciate convenient access.
With that in mind, I'd nominate Leo Carrillo in Malibu. Short, horizontal hop from the parking lot, nice reefs and kelp. The only other place I know in L.A. or Orange County with as easy access is White Point in Palos Verdes, and despite the interesting angle of the warm-water vents there, the nearly-always-poor vis is a big drawback.
I don't know San Diego diving as well -- the Marine Room would rate as a reasonably accessible spot, and I'm sure there are others. But if there's any other place than Leo Carrillo in L.A. or O.C. with as good diving and less than 10 feet elevation change from car to water, let me know!
trymixdiver
Guest
BBG
i would agree that the marine room is a shorter walk than most, but you cant compare the marine life there to laguna. Laguna beats the Shores or the marine room any day of the week. Laguna is all reef, la jolla is isolated reefs and therefore i see way way way less marine life in La Jolla. From my experience La Jolla shores has no reef. The only reef around the marine room is 100 yards south towards la jolla cove.
my last dive off the marine room we swam to the kelp beds over by la jolla cove. This area is really nice, but its usually very surgy and vis is less than the average 15'.
so for me its:
1. Laguna
2. Lajolla
i have not dove off the shore north of Laguna so i cant say good things or bad about the northern beaches.
Andy
i would agree that the marine room is a shorter walk than most, but you cant compare the marine life there to laguna. Laguna beats the Shores or the marine room any day of the week. Laguna is all reef, la jolla is isolated reefs and therefore i see way way way less marine life in La Jolla. From my experience La Jolla shores has no reef. The only reef around the marine room is 100 yards south towards la jolla cove.
my last dive off the marine room we swam to the kelp beds over by la jolla cove. This area is really nice, but its usually very surgy and vis is less than the average 15'.
so for me its:
1. Laguna
2. Lajolla
i have not dove off the shore north of Laguna so i cant say good things or bad about the northern beaches.
Andy
PhotoTJ
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...on your reason for diving, I think.
Lobster? El Matador, in Malibu.
Scallops? Big rock, also Malibu.
Vis? Christmas Tree, PV (A nightmare to climb down to, though!)
Diffrent strokes for different folks!
Lobster? El Matador, in Malibu.
Scallops? Big rock, also Malibu.
Vis? Christmas Tree, PV (A nightmare to climb down to, though!)
Diffrent strokes for different folks!
gert7to3
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I'll be visiting Irvine, July 15-20. Any advice on dive shops or clubs doing shore or boat dives off Laguna? What's the water temp? 5mm or 7mm exposure suit? I'll be coming in from Chicago, so cold water is no problem......Thanks for any advice.
kelpmermaid
Contributor
Gert, check out the Laguna Sea Sports website:
http://www.scuba-superstore.com/
There is info on local conditions and dive sites. Also, bring your snorkle and your buddy --- local lifeguards can be insistent.
I'd be in 7mil.
As for boats, I'm not sure that anything leaves out of O/C, but check www.californiadiveboats.com. You can catch the Catalina Express over to the island from Dana Point.
http://www.scuba-superstore.com/
There is info on local conditions and dive sites. Also, bring your snorkle and your buddy --- local lifeguards can be insistent.
I'd be in 7mil.
As for boats, I'm not sure that anything leaves out of O/C, but check www.californiadiveboats.com. You can catch the Catalina Express over to the island from Dana Point.
bluebanded goby
Contributor
Gert writes:
This reminded me of a boat I was on at Catalina a week ago yesterday. There was a vacationing couple from Chicago making their first California dive; they usually dive while traveling (Caribbean, Hawaii and beyond). They assumed that since California seemed like such a nice warm place, a 3mm full suit would be adequate exposure coverage ...
This reminded me of a boat I was on at Catalina a week ago yesterday. There was a vacationing couple from Chicago making their first California dive; they usually dive while traveling (Caribbean, Hawaii and beyond). They assumed that since California seemed like such a nice warm place, a 3mm full suit would be adequate exposure coverage ...
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