California Dreaming (planning): Catalina and Laguna Beach area

[Litefoot]

I've got an idea to dive Catalina and then shore dive the Laguna Beach area this summer. I'm familiar with Dana Point and will ferry to Catalina from there. I'll dive at Casino and I'm pretty okay with the logistics there since it's a return trip. But could you all give me your thoughts about Laguna, particularly Treasure Island and Shaw's Cove. Are these doable for a relatively inexperienced diver (assuming no high surf) with a guide? I planned to snorkel Shaws's one day, but the surf was HUGE! Any local shops or dive clubs I should contact? Any of you interested? Any predictors for good clarity...low/high tide, weather, moon phases, etc? I have a 5 mm wet suit with a 5/3 hooded vest. What do I need to know before making plans? Thanks!

 

[ScubaWithTurk]

If you are hitting Shaw's, I recommend going to Beach Cities Scuba which has a location right by that site. Great people and can help you out. Shaw's can be done with little to no local experience if, as you said, there is not much surf. Reading the swells and timing entry is a skill that needs developed unless you are a surfer, then you already have that skill.

 

[Kensei]

I've got an idea to dive Catalina and then shore dive the Laguna Beach area this summer. I'm familiar with Dana Point and will ferry to Catalina from there. I'll dive at Casino and I'm pretty okay with the logistics there since it's a return trip. But could you all give me your thoughts about Laguna, particularly Treasure Island and Shaw's Cove. Are these doable for a relatively inexperienced diver (assuming no high surf) with a guide? I planned to snorkel Shaws's one day, but the surf was HUGE! Any local shops or dive clubs I should contact? Any of you interested? Any predictors for good clarity...low/high tide, weather, moon phases, etc? I have a 5 mm wet suit with a 5/3 hooded vest. What do I need to know before making plans? Thanks!

One suggestion is to download a surf app like Magic Seaweed, which is free. You can see conditions at Shaws and other beaches days ahead of your dive. Also, get there really early, like 6:30-7. Parking gets bad fast in the morning. A guide would be helpful to navigate the reef.

 

[Scuba Lawyer]

As a resident of Laguna Beach, and the fact I can see the cove at Treasure Island from my house I can add a tad bit of info. Diving Treasure Island is very simple but a bit of work. Park in the single level parking structure at the south end of the Montage Resort. Paid parking but not too bad. You need a wagon or cart of some type to haul your gear down the path that winds its way along the front of the resort to the north end. We usually just gear up on the grass at the top of the ramp that leads down to the cove. A bit of a hump down and back but well worth it. There is a shower right there to clean all the sand off afterwards so that is a plus. The dive there is one of the best in all Laguna Beach. Usually very calm in the cove except when there is a South swell. If you see a lot of white water at the outside of Goff Island then it will be surgy so try and stay out of the shallows in those conditions. Give me a shout out if you are in the area. Always up for a dive there!

 

[Dann-Oh]

I dive a lot at Shaw's Cove. It's a really fun location. Id be interested in joining if a group goes to Treasure Island.

 

[Scuba Lawyer]

Diving not good at Treasure Island today.

 

[pauldw]

Diving not good at Treasure Island today.

The one in San Francisco Bay? Believable!

 

[Scuba Lawyer]

The one in San Francisco Bay? Believable!

No, the one in Laguna Beach.

 

[Litefoot]

Diving not good at Treasure Island today.

Is this the view from your place?

 

[Scuba Lawyer]

Is this the view from your place?

Only from the couch in my living room. If I go out on the deck the view is much better.