Just spit balling a trip to socal....thoughts?

[wgw04024]

Have always wanted to visit the kelp beds. What other diving is around the area that might be included in a weeklong trip to socal? Catalina, Channel islands?

Is there enough diving around the kelp beds to just stay in that area, wherever that is?

Sorry, I know not alot of specific requests but really unfamiliar with California at this point....

TIA

 

[ZephyrNYC]

Have always wanted to visit the kelp beds. What other diving is around the area that might be included in a weeklong trip to socal? Catalina, Channel islands?

Is there enough diving around the kelp beds to just stay in that area, wherever that is?

Sorry, I know not alot of specific requests but really unfamiliar with California at this point....

TIA

Thus far, I've dived in SoCal:
Santa Catalina Island
La Jolla Shores
Shaw's Cove, Orange County
Mission Bay, San Diego.

La Jolla in San Diego is a popular dive area. The leopard sharks should be plentiful at very shallow depths this time of year in La Jolla, near the Marine Room. You don't even need a tank to see them. A snorkel is good enough and I heard that they're skittish of bubbles.

Do you like to dive wrecks? There's Wreck Alley in San Diego.

If you want to drive a little south, there's also Baja California, Mexico. There's a "relatively new" wreck there called the Uribe.

[EDITED: I found it.]
There's a subreddit called "Socal scuba" or something like that. You should join.

https://www.reddit.com/r/SoCalScuba/s/foTCLvFeCJ

Are you a military veteran? If so, come dive with the WAVES Project.

 

[Still Kicking]

Have always wanted to visit the kelp beds. What other diving is around the area that might be included in a weeklong trip to socal? Catalina, Channel islands?

Is there enough diving around the kelp beds to just stay in that area, wherever that is?

Sorry, I know not alot of specific requests but really unfamiliar with California at this point....

TIA

Yes, the diving in kelp is pretty magical. Kelp beds are extensive up and down the coast and at the islands. Kelp grows fast in our 50-60 degree water and at times the kelp beds stretch for miles. It's definitely worth checking out.

Obviously, decent visibility is the key and that tends to be best at the islands (Catalina or the Northern Channel Islands). Not saying we don't get good days off the beach but the days of good vis (20-40' up to very exceptional 75-100') are more likely at the islands.

If you dive off the mainland beaches, there are many public access points. It is strictly DIY. If surf is benign, it's a great low-cost experience and we occasionally get some great days of diving off the beach but it can be a lot of work. Be prepared for a hike and a decent swim.

If you want to get out to the islands there are a few options. First is a day charter (Pacific Star, Specter, Bottom Scratcher, So Cal Diver, Sundiver, Giant Stride and a few others). Sometimes boats cancel due to weather or lack of sign ups but that's less common in summer and fall. These boats will take you out to three dive sites typically, feed you in between, fill your tanks, bring you back etc. Generally there is no in-water guide but it's easy out and back diving, they tell you where to go and will buddy you up with an experienced diver if you need it.

The next option is to DIY a trip to the Casino Underwater Dive Park in Avalon on Catalina Island. You take the Catalina Express ferry from Long Beach or San Pedro and either bring your gear or rent it and dive from the beach into the park (steps down to the water). You set up your own schedule, depending on which ferry sailings you pick. It's protected diving in the underwater park and very good diving but it is a lot of work and total cost with food etc. runs about the same as an all-inclusive day boat.

 

[jlyle]

Marine Park in Avalon for the best kelp experience. The mainland is better for small stuff but visibility on the front side of Catalina is usually better.

 

[Trailboss123]

I think this website will be one of your best resources: Home

Here are a few other websites to look at:

Ventura Dive & Sport

Ventura Dive & Sport

venturadive.com

Peace Liveaboard Dive Boat - Dive The Channel Islands - Ventura, CA

The Peace Dive Boat is your premier gateway to dive Channel Islands National Park, Cortez Banks, or Tanner Banks. Scuba or Freediving charters leave regularly for Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, San Clemente, Catalina, and San Nicolas Islands. Check our schedule page, pi

peaceboat.com

The Spectre Dive Boat | Channel Islands Diving

Cal Boat Diving offers Channel Islands scuba diving trips, snorkel and gear rental aboard the Spectre Dive Boat. Book your dive today!

spectreboat.com

Sundiver | Dive southern California

Experience diving charters in southern California that cater to your dive needs.

sundiverinternational.com

If you are going to travel across country, you will want to dive in the Channel Islands. Best weather and water temps is typically late summer- July through October. I would recommend a multi-day liveaboard.

California Dive Charters - SCUBA dive the Channel Islands

Join us on one of our custom built liveaboard dive vessels and come experience some of the best dive sites in the world.

californiadivecharters.com