Heading to Irvine, CA for a few days....

[DaytonaDave]

Hey there...

My wife is going on a work trip to Irvine, CA next week. I get to tag along! We just found out today. We'll be in late on Tuesday and leaving Saturday to return home. During the day, I'll have 8 hours to waste... so I figure what the heck, I'll dive!

I understand it's near Laguna Beach. Anyone have any suggestions? Anyone need an impromptu buddy? I feel the need to dive west coast!

Thanks!

 

[rakkis]

Damn you! I left Irvine 8 months ago

Laguna is where its at. Hook up with people from www.socdc.com and www.ocdiving.com for great buddies!

 

[Ann Marie]

Right now, conditions blow. We are due for some rain and are having some wind. I hope that by the time you get here things improve.

I would suggest that you go to http://www.magicianscuba.com/ and check out the schedule if at all possible.

This dive boat goes out to Catalina on Wednesday. The boat is docked about 45 minutes from Irvine. Right now this is your best bet for good diving.

Are you bringing your own gear or are you going to need to rent? Laguna Sea Sports (in Laguna) and Sport Chalet (many locations) both have rentals. You'll need at least a tank and weights if you head out on the Magician.

When you get here, send me a PM. If I can, I'll take some time off and go diving (I've got plenty of tanks and weights).

 

[muddiver]

It is the law in the City of Laguna that you have a snorkel on you when SCUBA diving from the shore. Make sure you have one strapped to you.

Most of the local shops have maps of the Luguna Beach dive spots. There are probably well over 50+ coves and shore dives. The weather should be good next week for diving.

My favorite dive is Wood's Cove because the rock ledges and reefs are close to shore and there is lots of eel grass. It has a small sand beach with two sand entry points that change in the surf zone to scattered rocks. Entry and dive is best a high tide. Other good dives that are well known are Shaw's Cove, Cresent Bay, Diver Cove, and 1000 Steps.

Don't try to dive the main beach in Laguna, it is nothing but sand and crowded with people.

If the swell is not out of the North, I highly reccomend Crystal Cove which is in the state park just north of Luguna. Nice sand entry.

There is a small dive shop on Pacific Coast Highway in South Laguna with in walking distance of Shaw's and Cresent Cove. You can get air fills there and if necessary rent gear. They also know the dive spots.

Dive conditions: http://www.lagunaseasports.com/conditions/conditions.asp

 

[muddiver]

Alternate dive, way better conditions is Catalina Island.

You can take the Catalina Express over for $50 round trip and dive at Casino Point.

Or, hop a dive boat out of one of three locations. Long Beach, San Pedro (in L.A.) or the slow boat ot China out of Newport Beach (closer to Irvine and Laguna Beach).

I am free Saturday the 28th. or if you want to take your chances, I get off work at 3:00 during the week. Usually the wind and surf picks up after 2:00 making beach dives less enjoyable.

 

[DaytonaDave]

Wow,

Thanks... I appreciate the input. We're leaving the morning of Saturday the 28th to head back, so that day is out. I was thinking that I would just bring my personal gear and rent a bcd, tank, and weights since I'm flying.... Ann Marie, I'm going to drop you a PM.

 

[DaytonaDave]

Damn you! I left Irvine 8 months ago

I feel for you... I left Florida in January to move to Pennsylvania.... I am SO looking forward to getting wet.

 

[Jesster]

I wasn't gonna post on this thread because I'll be busy all week and didn't want to clutter the board. But I saw you moved from Florida so figured I'd just let you know that our current water temps are around 54, sometimes dropping to 52. So you should have at least a 7mm wetsuit and thick booties/gloves to make your dives enjoyable / bearable. The advice of going on the Magician on Wednesday is excellent, great boat, $95, 3 dives, all inclusive except alcohol, you must provide your own tank & weights tho. Shore diving in Laguna is really good if the viz is there, raining now...bleh.

p.s. you can rent a complete package from Sport Chalet for $45, bcd, tank, weights, 7mm wetsuit, hood, regulator with computer,spg, compass and octo. Pick up when they open on 1st day, return by close on 3rd day. and it is considered a one day rental. (ie: p/u tues 9am / return thurs by 9 pm = one day rental) best rental deal I know of because you can get three days of diving on the gear for the one day price.