Has anyone dove at Crescent Bay in Laguna Beach, CA?

[ScubaGir1]

I'm planning on going there this coming Friday, and was wondering if its any good?
Is there an "ideal" area in Crescent Bay to dive, or enter??

Thanks for the tips

 

[xxpnkdrummer05xx]

check this site out, it has alot of info on local dive locations.

http://www.pacificwilderness.com/

 

[ScubaGir1]

check this site out, it has alot of info on local dive locations.

http://www.pacificwilderness.com/

Yup, I have the site book-marked! It has awesome information.
Apparently, Crescent Bay has some sneaky sea lions that like to steal your snorkel.
So its advised that you dive without your snorkel LOL. :11:

 

[DaFireMedic]

I'm planning on going there this coming Friday, and was wondering if its any good?
Is there an "ideal" area in Crescent Bay to dive, or enter??

Thanks for the tips

I have dove Crescent Bay numerous times, although not in the last 3 years or so. I like it as well as Shaws. I wish I could give you some more detailed info, but I do remember that the approach is similar to Shaws, maybe a bit easier, but still a grind back up the hill after the dive. Scenery is similar to that in other Laguna coves. Facing the water, the right side of the bay seems to have the most scenery, in terms of rock formations and reefs. I think the deepest I ever got was about 30', so you can stretch a tank pretty far. My most memorable moment was the last time I was there, we saw an approx. 5' Mola Mola. We were able to observe him for 2 or 3 minutes before he swam slowly off. It's a nice site, you'll enjoy it, assuming the viz is OK and the surge isn't too bad.

Edit: I don't remember seeing any sea lions there, but I'm told they are there....and make sure you bring your snorkel. I was forced by the lifeguard to walk back to my car (on a hot day, in my drysuit) to get a snorkel.

 

[ScubaGir1]

Edit: I don't remember seeing any sea lions there, but I'm told they are there....and make sure you bring your snorkel. I was forced by the lifeguard to walk back to my car (on a hot day, in my drysuit) to get a snorkel.

Oh wow, ok, thanks for the tip!

That is SO cool that you saw a Mola Mola!!

 

[bajashack]

I have taken classes there for cert dives for years. Just follow the rocks out and you can move around the rock to the left or stay in front.. This is a typical site for Orange county, Parking sometimes can be hard just have to be patient. Have a great dive and make sure you have a buddy and a snorkel. Lifeguards will give you a citation if they see you coming out with out the two.

 

[scubacalifornia]

There are many choices at Crescent, though I'll spare you a dissertation about how to navigate to all of them. You can explore "the pinnacles" reef area that extends out from the north end of the beach, Seal Rock, Deadman's Reef (lengthy surface swim), the south end of the beach which is basically the backside of the Shaw's Cove and conditions permitting, you can swim through to the Shaw's side. Here's a link to Laguna Sea Sports descriptoin of the site: http://www.lagunaseasports.com/divesite/default.asp
Or try this one: http://www.southcoastdivers.com/sites/crescentbay.shtml

We usually enter at the north end of the beach not far from the cliff. It's fairly well protected, especially in comparison to some of the south Laguna dive sites. Friday is a good day to get your diving in, as the south swell will be on the rise and big by end of the weekend.

Have fun,
Kevin

PS...As of late, Laguna Beach has officially relaxed its policy on both snorkels and buddies. You can dive without a snorkel now. You can solo dive (though experience and a redundant air supply are important). The lifeguards may ask you where you're going and when you expect to be back so they can keep tabs on you - but that's a benefit.

 

[ScubaGir1]

I have taken classes there for cert dives for years. Just follow the rocks out and you can move around the rock to the left or stay in front.. This is a typical site for Orange county, Parking sometimes can be hard just have to be patient. Have a great dive and make sure you have a buddy and a snorkel. Lifeguards will give you a citation if they see you coming out with out the two.

Thanks! I'm going out Friday morning, so *hopefully* it'll be better than on Saturday (considering its a holiday weekend!).

 

[Codyjp]

as far as the lions of the sea they are living on a rock that is to the west of crescent. You will see them a ways off and you can easily stay clear of them if you want. Have a great time with that.

 

[JMdiver]

Either direction is good you'll see a lot of sealife either way you go just enter close to the rocks cause the surf is usually smaller there. Here's a link that gives you surf, surge, vis & temp.:http://lagunaseasports.com/conditions/conditions.asp
It looks like this

Location: Shaw's Cove
Date: 8/29/2007
Time: 4:00 PM Fair
Surf: 2 ft - 3 ft
Surge: 3 ft to 4 ft
Visibility: 8 ft to 12 ft
Temperature: Air 82 Water 55 at depth