Diving options for newbies in LA area?

[turtledazzle]

My husband and I will be in the Los Angeles area for a family wedding in July. We did our PADI open water certification last May in Curacao. While in Curacao, we did six shore dives and two boat dives. Back in October we also did a couple of dives in a freshwater spring in Florida (which required a full wet suit).

Are there any diving options for us in the Los Angeles area? I'm not sure we have time for Catalina (though we'd love to go there). We have the morning/early afternoon (probably until 3-4pm) available on Friday and Saturday (July 25th and 26th). We're staying in Rosemead.

Thanks in advance! Since we're very landlocked here in Nashville, we're trying to incorporate some dives into any trip we can!

 

[JMdiver]

since you only have to 3-4 PM a boat dive probable wouldn't work for you. You can do Catalina if you'd like to you'd have to catch the first boat in the morning & the early afternoon boat back & you could probably get in two dives at the dive park. Or you can go down to Laguna Beach & get in a few dives, you would have to get there early to get a good parking spot. You can also dive many other beach dives up & down the coast but IMO Laguna is one of the best in So. Ca.

John

 

[nannymouse]

What an interesting coinsidence!



Rickster says:

*SoCal Dive-In* July 26th, 2008

Everyone is invited to this HUGE dive event!!!

I am proud to announce the 1st annual

SoCal Dive-In

Date: Sat July 26th, 2008
Time: 8:00am til ???
Place: Vet's Park, Redondo Beach, CA
Info: SoCal Dive-In

 

[Teamcasa]

Make time to dive Catalina. I live very close to Rosemead and you can make the first Catalina Express to Avalon at 6:15AM (Rosemead to Long Beach – 30 min +-5. Get in a few shore dives in the Casino Dive Park or even take a two tank dive with Catalina Divers Supply and return to Long Beach on the 3:45PM or have dinner in Avalon and catch the 6:00 PM boat.

This is a dive you don’t want to miss out on simply because of an hour or to time pinch.

 

[scuba1456]

I agree with Teamcasa. get sometime to go to Catalina. but be prepared. the water will be quite a bit cooler than you think. in florida I bet you were in a full suit (5 mm) in what 72 deg water? you will be lucky to see water at the surface that warm. probably more like 65 and at depth in could be 58 so plan on a full 7mm wet suit.

 

[on_two_wheels]

Add my recommendation to those for Catalina. I also agree that Laguna offers some of the best beach options. I dove there sunday and was in a 7 mil suit with a 3 mil hood/vest. It was so warm I went the next day and bought just the hood. Water was 63 degrees.

Should you decide to dive catalina, be sure to pay the $8 (total) for the truck to haul your gear back and forth from the dock. Makes the walk a nice, leisurely stroll through town. Just be sure to keep their number so you can call when you're done. Otherwise you could end up waiting a bit.

 

[Codyjp]

How about a Morning dive aboard Express Divers
The july schedule isn't out yet but I bet they will be going. Otherwise, find a way to get to catalina!

 

[dpbishop]

Sandeaters website sandeaters.org has information on LA shore dive sites. Where will you be staying? It's a big area and it can take several hours to get to some of these sites from some areas. If your near Downtown, a good intorduction to the SoCal ecosystem is White's Point in San Pedro.
California Diving News: Dive Spot Los Angeles County - White Point

Make sure to check the surf report (310-379-8471) before setting out or renting equipment. While July is usually a good month for diving a south swell could crash the visibility, or a red tide could much things up.

If your close enough, do join the SoCal dive in at Vets Park. It will be like having several dozen personal DMs to show you the site.

 

[drbill]

Catalina or a short boat dive from the mainland would seem to be the best options for you as newly certified divers. Shore diving off the mainland can be a bit rough as far as entries and exits go. That's why I live here where the waves are wimpy!

 

[pasley]

As has been said, Catalina if possible is a great dive. sandeaters.org has a list of available dive sites depending on where you are. Beach diving is doable with an experienced beach diver along to show the ropes. Recommended sites based on your skill level are: Leo Carillo (Malibu), Malibu Road (Malibu), Nicholas Canyon(Malibu),Vets Park (night dive Redondo Beach), Malaga Cove (Palos Verde but a long walk up hill), White Point (Palos Verde), Shaws Cove (Laguna Beach), Crescent Cove (Laguna Beach).