California

[JMdiver]

Try the Spectre up in Ventura it goes to Anacapa & Santa Cruz gives you 4 dives & great BBQ Tri Tip for lunch. Also has lots of bunks for a nap & a hot tub.

 

[fnfalman]

I think this is a bit strong- yes we can get currents, but "If you miss it, prepare for a long drift and hope someone sees you." is not really the case for the few hundred local dives I've done. The boats I dive are very good about trying to drop you where the current will have the least effect, keeping an eye on their divers, using drift lines, and covering the current patterns in the dive briefings. Yes, they will need to be prepared and pay attention, but I wouldn't be all psyched up for an "Open Water" experience either.

I second that.

The dive boats will always find a well protected dive site so that divers don't have to fight currents. Sometimes currents do come up unexpectedly and that's where situational awareness comes in. Good thing about diving in kelp forest because: a) you can see the current picking up because the kelps start to lay down, b) you can use the kelps to keep in place when current comes up.

 

[fnfalman]

Another thing, if you're going to be in San Diego, see if you can get on a charter that takes you to San Clemente Island. San Clemente tends to have better viz.