JustAddWater
Guest
I've never been disappointed with trips on the Spectre or any of the Truth Aquatics boats. The ride home in the Spectre's hot tub is a great way to end a nice day of diving.
diving in California
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DrySuitDave
Contributor
I don't care much for beach diving......the hassle, the sand, the limited things to see, the usual humdrum.
Boat diving is fun, one can hang out with other divers and shoot the breeze, tell tall tales, eat hot food, sleep the night before and stay asleep while the boat heads out to the first location. I also enjoy wondering why some guys hit the water for the very first dive on a boat just after the anchor does when it is twilight and NOT lobster season.
Boat diving is fun, one can hang out with other divers and shoot the breeze, tell tall tales, eat hot food, sleep the night before and stay asleep while the boat heads out to the first location. I also enjoy wondering why some guys hit the water for the very first dive on a boat just after the anchor does when it is twilight and NOT lobster season.
socaldiver
Contributor
DrysuitDave,
I agree with you that boat diving is preferable, for the reasons you give plus you can normally get to some dive sites not accessible from a beach dive.
However, I do disagree with part of your analysis of beach diving and I am curious where you normally would do your beach dives. Other than Casino Point on Catalina I have had the pleasure of diving off the beaches in Laguna and found plenty to see, from reefs to marine life. I am not necessarily thrilled with getting the sand all over me but it is cheap and let's face it, getting wet is fun no matter what.
I agree with you that boat diving is preferable, for the reasons you give plus you can normally get to some dive sites not accessible from a beach dive.
However, I do disagree with part of your analysis of beach diving and I am curious where you normally would do your beach dives. Other than Casino Point on Catalina I have had the pleasure of diving off the beaches in Laguna and found plenty to see, from reefs to marine life. I am not necessarily thrilled with getting the sand all over me but it is cheap and let's face it, getting wet is fun no matter what.
DrySuitDave
Contributor
SoCalDiver,
I have been to Shaw's Cove as a kid diving at 14 years of age.....Shaw's Cove is probably the best beach diving place I have been to...but lugging the equipment is a drag, and parking is worse.
I have dove north of the area at Horshoe Kelp area.....some jackass tried to steal my Dad's wallet and my Dad caught him and smashed him in the head...Go Dad! The diving itself was semi-sucky....a pain getting passed the surf....lots of sand.
Been to Paradise Cove, Whites Point, other parts of Palos Verdes, Zuma, Malibu, etc...sorry, but they were all lame. I have been diving since 13 so maybe it takes a little more to get me excited ( ) figured the Inspiration CCR I have coming shortly will get me excited!)
At Shaws Cove if we walked around we always had to worry about our gear on the beach.....For me at least the $100 or so is kinda peanuts for a boat dive....
I have been to Shaw's Cove as a kid diving at 14 years of age.....Shaw's Cove is probably the best beach diving place I have been to...but lugging the equipment is a drag, and parking is worse.
I have dove north of the area at Horshoe Kelp area.....some jackass tried to steal my Dad's wallet and my Dad caught him and smashed him in the head...Go Dad! The diving itself was semi-sucky....a pain getting passed the surf....lots of sand.
Been to Paradise Cove, Whites Point, other parts of Palos Verdes, Zuma, Malibu, etc...sorry, but they were all lame. I have been diving since 13 so maybe it takes a little more to get me excited ( ) figured the Inspiration CCR I have coming shortly will get me excited!)
At Shaws Cove if we walked around we always had to worry about our gear on the beach.....For me at least the $100 or so is kinda peanuts for a boat dive....
socaldiver
Contributor
I agree the "hike" to dive at Shaw's and some of the other sights is a bear.
I have not had (and none of my buddies) any problems with things being stolen (knock on wood). However, I must say that we normally leave everything up in the car, except what we take in the water with us.
I haven't personally had the chance to dive PV or Malibu. A couple of my buddies have and other than long surface swims to get out to most of the kelp beds and lower vis, they seem to give good reports.
Paying the money for a boat dive is not the issue, whether it is $5 or $100. I totally agree with you that boat diving is convenient and you get "better" spots to dive. I commented on your opinion of nothing to see on shore dives was different from what my buddies and I have experienced and was just curious where you had a lack of things to see. That's all.
I have not had (and none of my buddies) any problems with things being stolen (knock on wood). However, I must say that we normally leave everything up in the car, except what we take in the water with us.
I haven't personally had the chance to dive PV or Malibu. A couple of my buddies have and other than long surface swims to get out to most of the kelp beds and lower vis, they seem to give good reports.
Paying the money for a boat dive is not the issue, whether it is $5 or $100. I totally agree with you that boat diving is convenient and you get "better" spots to dive. I commented on your opinion of nothing to see on shore dives was different from what my buddies and I have experienced and was just curious where you had a lack of things to see. That's all.
DrySuitDave
Contributor
SoCal,
I think that after 30 years or so of diving, I have pretty much seen alot already from a beach diving aspect....I hate to write that, because I see how excited some people here get just getting underwater, and I really like that people find that much enjoyment out of their hobbies, it's cool....so i hesitate to say I have seen most of it all for fear of sounding jaded, lol.
PV visibility is typically 15-25 feet which just doesn't get me excited.....I thought my first trip into the Boilers at San Nic was interesting, that way i can say with certaintly that i saw no bugs at all in the infamous depressions.. I do get excited when I see lobster condos.....I like playing with sea lions.....
I think shortly I will look for a SoCal San Fernando based dive club to enjoy the social aspect of hanging out with other divers absent a boat to be on....
I am also getting worked up about the idea of either doing Vegas and getting a DEMA ticket or if not, I WILL crash the DEMA show and get in.....and I will do it in less than 15 minutes time....I will not be denied seeing all the trick secret stuff!
I think that after 30 years or so of diving, I have pretty much seen alot already from a beach diving aspect....I hate to write that, because I see how excited some people here get just getting underwater, and I really like that people find that much enjoyment out of their hobbies, it's cool....so i hesitate to say I have seen most of it all for fear of sounding jaded, lol.
PV visibility is typically 15-25 feet which just doesn't get me excited.....I thought my first trip into the Boilers at San Nic was interesting, that way i can say with certaintly that i saw no bugs at all in the infamous depressions.. I do get excited when I see lobster condos.....I like playing with sea lions.....
I think shortly I will look for a SoCal San Fernando based dive club to enjoy the social aspect of hanging out with other divers absent a boat to be on....
I am also getting worked up about the idea of either doing Vegas and getting a DEMA ticket or if not, I WILL crash the DEMA show and get in.....and I will do it in less than 15 minutes time....I will not be denied seeing all the trick secret stuff!
art.chick
Contributor
Dived Redondo once again this morning. The waves got a little big at the end, there & knocked me down as I exited. The surge rocked us around a lot, but the viz was not too bad, all things considered. Sandy on the bottom, the life we see out there is like a desert, drably colored creatures who blend into the sand. When they move, it looks like part of the sand came to life!
Among our finds today: a mid-sized sheep crab in the submarine canyon, squid eggs, sand dollars (still holding their value against the Japanese sand yen), halibuts, star fish, and a zillion baby lobsters who were getting grounded on the beach by the thousands.
Redondo is not thrilling by day, and I mourn the loss of the adorable seahares that used to graze there, but I had a good time there today as I always do. I may go there again Tues morning.
Among our finds today: a mid-sized sheep crab in the submarine canyon, squid eggs, sand dollars (still holding their value against the Japanese sand yen), halibuts, star fish, and a zillion baby lobsters who were getting grounded on the beach by the thousands.
Redondo is not thrilling by day, and I mourn the loss of the adorable seahares that used to graze there, but I had a good time there today as I always do. I may go there again Tues morning.
divrnr
Guest
Until I discovered Transderm Scop, beach diving was it. Now I love boat diving without screaming at the submarines!!!=-) I've beach dove from Monterey to San Diego, Monterey's still my Fav.
astrofunk
Contributor
Up until last weekend I thought I preferred boat dives unilaterally to shore dives. Then I dove Pt. Lobos. Make a reservation and go! It's got the ease of entry (and lack of sand) that I thought belonged only to boat dives, and it totally lacks the crowds and sense of urgency found on boats.
Clearly, both beach dives and shore dives have their merits, but now I know I can get the pleasures of a boat dive without the attendant hassles and without spending the money. Pt. Lobos is it!
Clearly, both beach dives and shore dives have their merits, but now I know I can get the pleasures of a boat dive without the attendant hassles and without spending the money. Pt. Lobos is it!
djhall
Guest
What I usually end up doing are shore dives. What I usually want to do are boat dives 
Shore diving is cheap... grab some tanks from the LDS, maybe toss a tent & sleeping bag in the car, and spend the weekend shore diving for little $$. Last time a went diving, four tanks at Ft. Ross cost me $15 plus gas.
Boat diving is fun... easy entry, no long hikes or swims to the dive site, you can dive places you can't get to from the beach, no waves or surf, less surge, but more $$.
Shore diving is cheap... grab some tanks from the LDS, maybe toss a tent & sleeping bag in the car, and spend the weekend shore diving for little $$. Last time a went diving, four tanks at Ft. Ross cost me $15 plus gas.
Boat diving is fun... easy entry, no long hikes or swims to the dive site, you can dive places you can't get to from the beach, no waves or surf, less surge, but more $$.
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