Diving with Sea Lions

[Scuba G]

I have friends from Europe who are interested in diving with sea lions on their 2009 trip to San Francisco and Los Angeles. I've seen them in Catalina (once), Laguna Beach (several times) and of course on the oil rigs. Are they any more reliable spots in SF or SoCal you could recommend? Mabye Anacapa or Coronados Islands?

Thanks!
Gerald

 

[avlena]

Try a boat dive to Santa Barbara Island. California Diving News: Dive Spot Santa Barbara Island -- Sea Lion Rookery

 

[ToddK]

There is a large population at the Breakwater in Monterey. This is a very popular beginner dive site. When I was there in September a few joined me in the water.

 

[Gombessa]

There is a large population at the Breakwater in Monterey. This is a very popular beginner dive site. When I was there in September a few joined me in the water.

Yep, about every third dive in the Monterey/Carmel area, we either see seals or sea lions during the dive - sometimes the juveniles follow us around and pull on our fins, other times we get glimpses of big adults blasting in to check us out and and blasting out just as quickly. IME we see more seals than sea lions, but we definitely have both. We almost always see seal heads popping up on the surface during the surface swims.

You can see a glimpse of a huge adult sea lion at the 3:30 mark from a dive we did two days ago at Point Lobos here: YouTube - Dec 28 Point Lobos Dive

Also, MacAbee Beach in Monterey has been a real seal haven for us: YouTube - Sept 27 Macabee Seal Dive in Monterey - they love to hang out around the wash rocks along the shore, and seem to enjoy teasing divers.

If you get to dive the Channel Islands in SoCal, I do hear that the rookery on Anacapa is the place to be.

Good luck!

 

[Codyjp]

You could also try a trip to Anacapa. There are lots-o-lions there and the diving is great!

 

[White Knight]

Take them to the Fallalon Islands when the sea lions are pupping. There will be the most seals to see then. Depending upon what part of Europe they are from, you might also trying tying a Ham or a Roast to their ankle while they dive with the seals! Seriously, I see seals all the time when diving, yet I try not to dive with them whenever possible.

 

[merxlin]

The rookerie on Santa Barbara Island is always full of Sea Lions.

There are boats from Santa barbara, Ventura, and some from L.A. (but not regularly scheduled). When are you coming in? Try this site: California Diving News - theyhave a number of schedules and contacts for almost all the dive ops.

 

[drbill]

Keep in mind that sea lions bite (usually just playful nips from the youngsters) and they can transmit some diseases to humans. They also love to steal snorkels.

 

[Codyjp]

Keep in mind that sea lions bite (usually just playful nips from the youngsters) and they can transmit some diseases to humans. They also love to steal snorkels.

Ah yes, lest we be cautious of the man eating sea lions! I do make sure my fingers and toes are kept inside the ride at all times while the sea lions are in motion. So far, I have been good!

 

[fisheater]

A second vote for the Breakwater in Monterey.

LOTS of sea lions and few harbor seals, too. Often you'll have them swim up to you during your dive.

In any case, you can walk over to hundreds of them along the breakwater wall. Great for tourists.