Coronado Island questions

[Texas66]

I am going to be in San Diego in early October
and was wanting to dive Coronado and dive
with the sea lions. Is Coronado a good dive
and was looking for a good charter and
place to rent gear.

 

[diversteve]

Just a little clarity - Coronado Island is the Island/Naval Base just across the bridge in San Diego Harbor. No diving there afaik - unless you're a Navy SEAL.

The Coronado Islands (Islas Coronados) - there's 4 of them - are about 20 miles south of San Diego in Mexican territorial waters and are where the Sea Lion Colony is. They'll usually come out to play - often nipping at your fins or hovering out of range. Not wearing your snorkel - but keeping it on your person - is probably a good idea there - especially if it has a bright or shiny tip...lol. In October it's also going to be pretty cold so rent a full 7mil suit.

Some info from the Waterhorse charter site: San Diego SCUBA Dive Sites About 1-1/2? hrs. by boat from SD Harbor. You need to buy a Mexican Tourist Visa also - details are on the Waterhorse website - you can get it from them the day you board with ID.

Lois Ann also goes there - and there may be other possibilities near the bottom of this list: California Dive Boats : The Official Page

In case you're not familiar with SoCal diving, generally the DM stays on the boat unless there's a problem.

From Wikipedia:

The Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado or Islas Coronados) are a group of four islands off the northwest coast of the Mexican state of Baja California. Battered by the wind and waves, they are largely infertile and uninhabited except for a small military detachment and a few lighthouse keepers. The islands lie between 15 and 19 miles south of the entrance to San Diego bay, but only 8 miles from the Mexican mainland. The Coronado Islands are a Mexican wildlife refuge; visitors may anchor, scuba and snorkel, but trips ashore are not allowed.

 

[Texas66]

Thanks for the information. I have never been
to this area before. Any other can't miss
dive sites?
Thanks

 

[diversteve]

The best shore diving is LaJolla Cove. I "borrowed" description this description from OEX - a good place to rent tanks/gear in that area:

La Jolla’s Ecological Reserve is the premier dive location in Southern California. A unique quality of La Jolla is the diverse underwater topography that covers such a small space. In an area which only stretches for about 6000 acres of water and tide lands, one can dive over four totally different underwater landscapes. There are the smooth sandy flats, the scattered rocky reef, the famous Giant Kelp Forest, and finally the Submarine Canyon. With all these features in a small area, it is no surprise that La Jolla can be called home to year round residents like California Sea lions, Harbor Seals, Garibaldis, Common Dolphins, and Giant Black Sea Bass. Some highly notable seasonal visitors are the Leopard Sharks, Grey Whales, and the East Pacific Green Sea Turtle. With all the possible discoveries La Jolla has to offer, Scuba diving in the La Jolla Reserve will be an unforgettable experience.

OEX - La Jolla Diving

Other options: http://www.sandiegodiving.com/diveSites/index.html

There's also "wreck alley" just a mile or so off Mission Beach - I don't wreck dive so IDK much about it - http://www.scubasandiego.com/hmcs_yukon.htm