Diving in California near Irvine?

[WhiteSands]

I'll be heading to Irvine this Dec to visit relatives and for a holiday. Are there any must-see sites near the area for diving?

Some concerns I have:
I've only dived in SE Asia in temperate waters using a 3mm wetsuit. Never used a dry suit before, and have no training to use one. Never had to deal with cold water and whatever challenges it presents too. All our dives had been led by a dive guide (DM) so diving without a guide is going to be challenging.

Me & my buddy are also new divers (30 dives, PADI AOW + UTD EOR certification), so we're concerned with safety, having to deal with so many new unknowns in a different environment.

Also, need advice on the pricing, including local customs to follow regarding tipping etc. We have all our own equipment except for tanks.

Thanks!

 

[jscan1]

You are going to want a 7mm wetsuit , hood, gloves and Booties. The water last night in La jolla was 57 at depth...Your options for diving are plentiful within an hour or so you could do La Jolla Cove, or La Jolla Shores (Power Scuba is a good group to look up and run very affordable boat trips just about weekly). Laguna is another area very close (Southcoast Divers runs a website for weekly dives in the area) A day trip on to Catalina would give you great diving at the Dive Park, (Scuba Luv on the Island can give you a guide).

 

[wasabean]

Hi whitesands. a drysuit isn't required to dive in socal water, although a lot more convinent, not mandatory. typically divers where a 7mm wetsuit with 3 or 5mm gloves/boots/hood, I usually skip the hood as i find it very restricting. Definitely check out laguna beach, laguna beach offers pretty easy shore dives over at crescent bay/shaws cove. most diving in socal are buddy dives and not led by a DM unless you seek one out from a diveshop or you join a dive meet. both are good options as they all have tons of knowledge of the dive site. or..you can take Catalina Flyer from newport beach to hit casino point in Catalina. it never disappoints. there will be TONS of other divers there so you won't really need a guide. I would recommend crescent bay and check out sealion rock which is about a 50yd swim out.

shore dives are more involved, casino point's entry is the easiest i've been so far, its just a couple steps down into the water.

 

[Chiapet]

By December diving conditions in Southern California get a little unpredictable. Storms in the Pacific can kick up our surf and small craft advisories sometimes cancel dive charters. Between storms the diving can be great. Sometimes we don't know until a few days before which its going to be. I like to use this site to check the swell forcast :

La Jolla: CDIP recent observed 073 buoy_ww3

Dana Point: CDIP recent observed 096 buoy_ww3

Since these will be your first cold water dives hiring a DM to guide you may make for a more enjoyable experience. A professional guide could help you judge the water conditions, figure out the correct weighting for your thicker wetsuits and could help you navigate in our sometimes poor visibility waters.

I agree with the Catalina Island diving recommendation above. The dive park entry is very protected and there is a beautiful kelp forest there. Catalina also usually has better visibility than the mainland sites.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[lamarpaulski]

I vote for Catalina too...dependably good....easy, safe and nice place to visit without diving or after diving. Casino Park. Much easier to manage than surf entries usually. I had some awesome dives there last December (early part) with great visibility and life. Will need warmer wetsuits for December though.

 

[SoCalRich]

Greetings WS,
Yes 7mil. booties hood gloves are a must. BUT I recommend boat diving. Beach diving is great but you run a greater risk of calling off a dive. Plenty to choose from: Power Scuba in San Diego is a great group that really supports newbies. Or also in SD is the Marissa dive charters (Great boat & crew). In the Long Beach area check out Sundiver international. Practice putting on your 7mil. and gear a few times before you go. DM's can be arranged ahead of time with the boat operators. Bring a camera, lots to see above & below the surface. Also, take your time trying on rental gear. Make sure everything fits well.


Good Divin
SoCalRich

 

[WhiteSands]

Hi everyone,
Thanks for the very useful information. Catalina sounds like a must do.

May I know what I should expect for charges for a typical dive including rental of equipment (wetsuit,hoodetc) and what are the local customs like regarding tipping?

Any potential dangers to be aware of in that area?

Thanks!

 

[drbill]

Catalina Express boats depart from Dana Point and the Catalina Flyer from Newport Beach. They can get you out here to the island with time to dive. If you are planning to stay for more than a day, that time of year hotel prices are lower.

 

[blue steal]

As others have said the best option may be Catalina. Most dive charter boats have stopped operating for the winter. I think sundiver and sundiver express may still do trips, but mostly on weekends.
Dr. Bill had mentioned taking the Catalina Express to the island. Although you would be close to Newport Beach, the schedule for that boat leaves pretty late at 950am and coming back, well the schedule changes depending on the day you are going.
It might be better to drive up to Long Beach and take the express from there as they leave early (615) and have regular departures returning every day.
Sounds like you will need to rent wetsuit/hood/tank/weights at the very least.
You could check out local dive shops in Irvine area and see what it would cost.
For example, sports chalet will rent BCD/wetsuit/hood/tank AL80/weights/reg with computer for $45 day and $30 each day after that.
They are pretty liberal with their pick up and drop off times with the gear.
I just checked and there is a sports chalet located in Irvine.
We have a local shop up here that gives half off for each day after the first day on rentals.
You could also rent gear over in Catalina.
There is also a sticky on diving Catalina with lots of good information.
Let us know when you might be over there. I always dive the park in winter.

 

[lamarpaulski]

There are at least two dive shops on the island...you can easily make arrangements for gear rental with them. There is usually and air fill station at the park but that comes and goes in the off season. I found Catalina divers to be pretty customer friendly. I usually rent a cart to roll my stuff around as its a ways from ferry/hotels to casino park. The island shops may cost more than mainland shops but there is a convenience factor and if something doesn't work/fit after one dive you can exchange it. I think it is worth it to spend a night or two on the island too - you can do a night dive and really relax and enjoy Avalon. Like Dr. Bill said December is off season so you have some pricing leverage. All this stuff is on internet too. There are no unusual 'dangers' I guess kelp might be a bit bothersome. You may run into talkative Scubaboarderfish who will talk your ear off but then you still will have one ear left. The Casino Park has concrete steps entry with railings and is sheltered 98% of the time from prevailing swells. At low tides the lowest steps can be slippery from algae. Thats the only danger except for your potential human error. Its about as easy as it gets and its still pretty nice diving.