In LA around 3-13 thru 3-20

[heinz57zuk]

We are recently certified and would like to know or go with some experienced divers to some good shore dive sites around the LA area. The limit will be 40 ft. depth due to the age of our daughters. Is there anybody out there that is willing to give us some info or, even better, show us a good dive site? I really do appreciate any advise.

Thanks in advance,

Bill K

 

[fnfalman]

LA beaches tend to be not all that friendly toward newbies. The few days that the waves are flat, you can hit Redondo Beach but that spot is usually better dived at night. Just north of it is Palos Verdes Peninsula which has many a great dive sites. Alas, not too many of them are beginner friendly eiither. You are going to have to hump your gear for a good way and then chances are you have to scramble over rocks to get to the water.

If you don't mind driving down to Laguna Beach to dive at Shawl's Cove, Diver's Cove or Fisherman's Cove. It's a lot better choice.

Or better yet shell out some money and take the Catalina Express out of either San Pedro or Long Beach and shore dive at the famed Casino Point dive park on Catalina Island.

 

[ligersandtions]

In a max 40ft range, Laguna will be your best bet. Laguna diving is really great....but not always. Unfortunately, we've had a rough winter, and the diving has been mediocre at best. I can't predict how it will be mid-March (I like to think it will be better because it's been very disappointing thus far).

I will be taking a class the weekend of the 13th/14th and work during the week, so probably won't be able to meet up with you. But hopefully you can find someone who's happy to take you out and show you some diving (assuming, of course, that conditions are decent).

It's smart to have an experienced local take you out as surf entries/exits can be tricky if you don't know what you're doing....especially being a new diver in general. Hope things work out for you while you're here!

 

[heinz57zuk]

Thank you all for the options. Some of those places I have never heard of. Looking forward to getting to the ocean.

Thanks again,

Bill

 

[rakkis]

Bill - Laguna Beach is a good choice, but I would probably suggest taking a ferry (CatalinaExpress.com) to Avalon and doing a shore dive from Casino Point. As mentioned above, the weather hasn't been too nice recently and Casino Point provides divers with a VERY easy entry.

If you're ever in the area, swing by Eco Dive Center (Culver City, CA) the first tuesday night of every month to meet other people that beach dive frequently. We also post club beach dives on our facebook page:

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[fnfalman]

There are always divers at Veterans Park in Redondo Beach every Wednesday and Thursday nights. But since that you're new and your daughter is new and presumed young, I'd caution you about doing a night beach dive at Veterans Park. The waves could be rough, and if you haven't done a beach dive against wave, it's downright dangerous. Anyway, I'm not here to scare you of but just to give info on the local diving conditions. You're a certified diver, so just study up and make an informed choice.

Your best bet for enjoyable dives (as opposed to "adventure" dives) is to take a dive boat out to Catalina for a day, or to take the Catalina Express ferry to Catalina and dive at Casino Point dive park. If you were to want to know the cost, then a dive boat trip is around low $100/person. The Catalina Express is about $66/person round trip. HOWEVER, the Cat Express is just a ferry service and not a dive charter, so you still have to pay for air fills, food & water. By the end of the day, it's a wash with the cost.

 

[Teamcasa]

Ditto on Catalina. You and your family will have a great time and the entry/exits are very friendly to new divers. Let us know, some of may be able to see you there!