Diving in Laguna in March

[cyclospora]

I will be in Orange County bic: yes, I'm going to Disneyland) near the end of March and I my wife said I could take a day to go diving. I would like to dive in the Laguna Beach area and I need a place with facilities and a place that children can play. It looks like Aliso Beach might be the place. How is the diving there? Any other suggestions? How is Crystal Cove State Underwater Park?

If I'm good I might get a second day to go diving.:bouncesbl

 

[mccabejc]

Aliso Beach is a bit close to Aliso Creek, which is known for spewing stinky stuff into the water. You might want to try someplace like Heisler Park, which is a bit north. It has a picnic area, facilities, and a dive shop within walking distance.

 

[scjoe]

I agree with the Heisler Park suggestion. It will be much easier on the family than Crystal Cove. It is not only within walking distance of the local dive shop, Laguna Sea Sports, but you can also walk to Main Beach which is where a lot of the action is in town. There are lots of shops and restaurants in and around Main Beach.

Crystal Cove is up the coast a few miles and somewhat isolated compared to Heisler. It is actually not a cove, but is more like a long exposed beach. You park on the top of a cliff and it is a bit of a walk down. The bathrooms are at the top and there is no grass, etc.

From Heisler, you could also hit Shaws Cove which is a popular spot. It is just a couple blocks up from Heisler, but there are no picnic benches etc. there. There is a beach though.

 

[CaptainMarvel]

I also agree with the recommendation for Heisler. If you're looking for a nice dive site that can accommodate the family and also has facilities, this is a good choice. There is a paved ramp leading to the beach from the picnic area. There is also a dive shop nearby - Laguna Sea Sports. Here is a link to their website (for the page that includes descriptions of the main sites in Laguna).

http://www.lagunaseasports.com/divesite/default.asp

There are a lot of people in the SoCal group that dive regularly, all of whom are very friendly. I suggest posting when it gets closer to the time you'll be here. I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding a buddy if you need one.

 

[Robert Phillips]

Just West (or what non locals or the geographically impaired would call North) of Aliso Beach is the Montage Resort or Treasure Island. The facilities here are great and has quite a bit to offer if you know where to look. Though if you are not familiar with the more interesting areas it can be a very boring dive.
The other sites suggested are much better for the visiting diver who may not have the luxury of a local familiar with Treasure Island.

One thing to keep in mind, as many travelling divers find, is that conditions may be less than ideal for diving. The random Southern swell or rainstorm may blow out your day of diving.

Check these sites before and up to your trip to keep up to date on current conditions:

CDIP swell model

Wetsand

Laguna Sea Sports (Shaws Cove)

And of course, the SoCal section of Scubaboard

Let us know when you get here and I'm sure you'll get several people to join you for a dive or two (if conditions are decent.)

Good luck and enjoy!
Robb

 

[JMdiver]

Picnic Beach is a nice family beach with good diving.

Happy Diving
John

 

[cyclospora]

Thanks to everyone for all the information and advice. It was all helpfull. I looks like we will be heading for Heisler Park. This sounds like what we were looking for.

Robert, I thought SoCal was always 80 degrees and sunny, what's this about a rainstorm? Just kidding, kinda.

I will have a dive buddy with me, but we are both from NorCal. We would love to have someone that knows the area to show us around (underwater that is). Right now the dive date is Wednesday, March 22 and then the bonus day would be Friday. However this could change by a day or so. I will post when the time is closer.

Does anyone know anything about the Corsair that is in Crystal Cove? How deep? Is it marked?

Thanks, Ron

 

[headhunter]

Does anyone know anything about the Corsair that is in Crystal Cove? How deep? Is it marked?

Thanks, Ron

The WWII Navy F4-U Corsair crashed in 1949. It is not marked and lies in about 70 - 80 feet if I remember correctly. It's over a half mile off shore, so it's a bit far for most people to shore dive. I think most people dive it from a boat.

Maybe someone can tell us what the line ups are for it if you are up for a long swim.

Here is some info on it:

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=23871

Christian

 

[cyclospora]

Thanks for the info on the Corsair, and I'm not up for a long swim. I will have to save that one for a boat dive.