Laguna beach diving?

[wfmiller]

Am flying out on the 23rd and staying in Laguna beach area. Was looking to get a dive in anywhere. Any suggestions on hooking up with someone to dive? Words of wisdom and experience wanted. I only have a couple dozen dives under my belt mostly quarries but I did do Tahiti a few weeks back which was totally awesome. Where I dive now water is very cold and vis really sucks but blowing bubbles is worth it.

 

[ChrisM]

If you are here over a Saturday morning, with your experience level I STRONGLY advise hooking up with Rich Parker at www.southcoastdivers.com

The surf zone is no place for a newbie (no offense intended by that) with no beach diving or surf reading experience. I started beach diving with Rich, now a couple hundred beach dives later........

Can also try getting a ferry from Dana Point over to Catalina for the day to dive Casino Point.

Chris

 

[miket]

I like Shaws Cove, it has a protected beach so even on a bad wave day it is usually divable.

Other sites that are good are Divers Cove and Fisherman's Cove, both have easy entry and lots of life to see.

Vis varies at all these beaches from day to day, I have been there when it is 30+ feet vis, and days where it is less than 5 feet. But I always had a good time and saw neat stuff.

I also would strongly suggest diving with someone with beach entry experience, it is very easy to get knocked down in the surf with all that gear on (happens to the best of us) it takes skill and good timing to get in the water at any of these sites some days, some days it is like a pool and it is very easy to get in. Sometimes it's easy to get in, but after an hour of diving you surface and the waves are 5' high. Just remember to exit and enter with your reg in your mouth, it could save your life if you get knocked down.

Another thing that you may have not experienced is surge, the surge at these sites sometimes gets really heavy and can be dangerous if you don't know how to deal with them. Never fight it, go with the flow. Sometimes hanging onto the reef until the surge reverses can save energy. When I first dove in surge I cramped my legs by trying to swim against it, that just made things worse. Again, like surf, surge can get worse during a dive.

Also watch out for urchins, all the Laguna sites are over-run with urchins. I have gotten stuck many times. Wear good gloves and watch where you put your hands when the surge forces you too close to the reef.

In addition to the problems in the water, you need to go up and down allot of steps from your car to the beach. With gear this can be pretty strenious. Take it easy, stop and rest half-way if needed. On hot days with a 7 mil suit and all the heavy gear I feel like I am going to pass out.

I last dove at Divers Cove on Easter Sunday, had a blast, at one point there were about 200 fish surrounding me and my buddy begging for an urchin busting handout (there are so many urchins there, I don't think I upset the ecosystem by feeding one or two to the fish). we also saw a huge Bat Ray.

These are nice beaches too, so after a dive it's nice to play around at the beach, look at tide-pools, etc.

My website has some pictures taken at Laguna Sites. It is at: http://www.socaldivevideos.com .

Cheers,
MikeT

 

[ChrisM]

Good advice from Mike

Oh yeah, don't forget your snorkel

Seriously, Laguna Beach mandates snorkels (and buddies) by law. I have heard stories of lifegaurds giving tickets, but have never seen it myself

 

[Otter]

Lets cross our fingers on conditions. MikeT is right that Shaw's Cove is usually diveable when others are not. However, we usually have a Northwest swell and Shaw's open due South. Over the last 3 weeks, we have been getting South swells and it has sucked almost everywhere on the mainland. Catalina is probably the closest location you will have to a guaranteed diveable location. It does get deep fast. I'd offer to join you, but will be out of town.

Dive Safe

 

[scubacalifornia]

I second the recommendation to dive with South Coast Divers. The groups meets on both Saturday and Sunday mornings to dive Laguna. If you make the group aware that you don't have beach diving experience and that you are a relatively new diver, you can expect a great deal of support, and that at least a few experienced divers will be keeping a close eye on you and lending a hand whenever you need it. There's also a good rundown of Laguna Beach dive sites with photos and information, as well as daily dive conditions at www.lagunaseasports.com. Have fun and dive safe.

Kevin

 

[diverdann]

Laguna Beach diving is pretty good. If you are in the area you have to try it. You didn't explain if you had your own gear or would be renting.

You may want to check out Laguna Sea Sports. The shop is walking distance from Shaws cove. Their service is pretty good and there is gear is good too. Also, on their website you could look up diving conditions for the day. Here is the link:

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


If you do a search on line you could find a number of topographical maps detailing the reefs on Laguna Beach.

For a newbe, I would recommend that you start your diving at Shaw's Cove to get the feeling of getting in through the surf. If you build up your skills and conditions are good, I would recommed that you hit Dead Man's Reef off of Crescent Bay. Its a long surface swim, but very worth it.

Once again, dont forget the snorkel.

 

[wfmiller]

I have all my own gear except of course for tank, weights which I would not bring. Shaws cove seems a good place to start. Problem is I can only dive on either Thur or Fri.

BTW I used to dive from beaches when i lived in Hawaii but that was many years ago before the octo, etc. I was young and stupid then, now I am older and have grown much more cautious.

I will call the store but finding someone to go out on the days that I am available is going to be tough.

Thanks all