Cheapest Diving between Monterey and San Diego

[Neverland]

Dear All,

Many tks for your help. For me it is totally new that you can find a buddy who can help you or find a dive shop event where there is a special offer. Unfortunately my time is very limited but it really looks like things are working differend in California.
1. Posting on So Cal and finding a divemaster sound cool
2. ECO dives really seem to be a big divenetwork place. The trips for 135$/ person are without gear renting without boat fee and without DM I think. So tks talking in person with ECO or renting a gear by ECO+findig a buddy would be nicer
3.Actually San Diego was the only place where there were lower prices - of course because of shore diving

And this is a good point to mention. As I have seen the visibilitiy is really weak on the shore even in Monterey and San Diego. Once we were diving in Costa Rica on the Pacific side an I saw almost nothing. It was really sad to know that amazing fishes were around me but I couldn't see them. So I'm a little bit confused what could be the best solution for diving in CA.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

It also depends on conditions. I have had several hundred shore dives in Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego that I have enjoyed more than boat diving on Catalina Island. There is a lot more life to see on the mainland, but visibility is usually poor compared to the islands. On days with good visibility you will see tons of life you won't find offshore.

 

[geoff w]

Dear All,

Many tks for your help. For me it is totally new that you can find a buddy who can help you or find a dive shop event where there is a special offer. Unfortunately my time is very limited but it really looks like things are working differend in California.
1. Posting on So Cal and finding a divemaster sound cool
2. ECO dives really seem to be a big divenetwork place. The trips for 135$/ person are without gear renting without boat fee and without DM I think. So tks talking in person with ECO or renting a gear by ECO+findig a buddy would be nicer
3.Actually San Diego was the only place where there were lower prices - of course because of shore diving

And this is a good point to mention. As I have seen the visibilitiy is really weak on the shore even in Monterey and San Diego. Once we were diving in Costa Rica on the Pacific side an I saw almost nothing. It was really sad to know that amazing fishes were around me but I couldn't see them. So I'm a little bit confused what could be the best solution for diving in CA.

Monterey to San Diego covers a lot of ground, and both conditions and prices (due to competition) will vary widely. As with many places, boat diving costs are directly related to fuel costs, so shorter boat ride equals less costs. San Diego boats often go out only about 15 minutes, whereas Catalina or Channel Islands diving can be one to multiple hours each direction. Depending on exactly where and when you are going out, trips can range from about $100 to close to $150 just for the trip. Taking the ferry to Catalina is a little less, but you need to add in parking, food and air fills. Really easy diving, lots to see, very beginner friendly at Casino Point. If you're playing tourist, there are also a lot of touristy things to do in Catalina as well, so it's not just about diving

One of your earlier posts mentioned Ventura and Santa Barbara. Refugio Beach is supposed to be very beginner friendly - see Scuba Shore Diving Site Page for: Refugio State Beach of California Mid, USA West for details (I haven't dived there). The past few months of shore diving near me have been excellent, seeing mostly 20 to 40 ft visibility (which is pretty good) with lots of schools of fish, tons of interesting critters to see (both big and small), and even a few sea lions coming down to check us out

Winter in California is when we get most of the weather for the year, and we've already had a few storms. The nice things about shore diving is you don't have to plan too far ahead. You wake up, if it looks good, you go diving. If it's stormy, do something else. If you decide to go shore diving, you're not out any cost until you go rent gear, so definitely something to factor in if you're on a budget

Providing everyone here with specific dates and locations will probably help you find good dive buddies that know the area, can point you to the right places to get gear, and help ensure you have a good diving experience.


Figure the water will be about 50°F, so two dives are doable, but four dives in a day if you're in a wetsuit starts getting really cold

 

[Neverland]

Wow very nice pictures It is good to know that the mainland can be even more intresting than an island diving

---------- Post added December 20th, 2012 at 02:48 PM ----------

Dear Geoff, thank you for all the infos. Now I start to understand all the conditions. Finally I have found a shore diving place for resonable pricing in Monetery. There will be two dives in wet suit. And hopefully in case of bad weather we will be able to cancel reservations. Once we had a dive shortly after a heavy storm. I think the divemaster didn't wanted to lose his money because we had to do the dives even in terms of very bad visibility

 

[skankpile]

In CA as in most places cheap and diving don't mix IMO. The water is cold, and if its cheap & warm there are 100 other people there.

I recently dove with Gerry Montejo Second Stage Ocean Sports on his 50ft sportfish (6-pack). He is very reasonable and will take you to Catalina, Channel Islands, rigs.. wherever. Diving the cool places costs money. You can park at the berth for free and he has a compressor, booster, and oxygen on the boat so you can do whatever you want really. He also is a ccr guy and a DM so you are covered there as well.

 

[geoff w]

You might want to get a copy of A Divers Guide to Monterey County, California by Bruce Watkins, A Diver's Guide to Northern California by Bruce Watkins and/or A Diver's Guide to Southern California's Best Beach Dives by Dale Sheckler and Kim Sheckler, depending on where you end up. Well worth the $15-20, at least for the So Cal book, which is where I live. Buy from Amazon or California local dive shops

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Or Diving the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
http://www.createspace.com/3782647

 

[blinkswiler]

Might consider Catalina Island and the Casino Point Dive park. It is a dedicated dive facility in open ocean having just about everything underwater and above. Contact Catalina Divers Supply (310 510-0330) and they can arrange for a DM but after 1-2 dives in the park, you most likely won't need one. Park has depths from 15-90 ft, kelp, sand, rocks, ledges, and MUCH wild life. Inexpensive diver-friendly rooms are available at the Hermosa (877 241 1313)and Sea Port Village inn ((310) 510-0344). Besides, Catalina is a super place to stay and enjoy the California life away from the main-land crazieness. Boat dives also available reasonably.