Los Angeles Visit

[Srax]

Hi all,

My wife and I are spending the summer in Los Angeles - staying for a few months. We're both OW certified, relatively inexperienced (25 dives or so), and are keen to do some diving while we're in town.

We've got some of our own gear, but aren't really at the point of just renting the stuff we're missing and going off on our own yet. So I think we're looking for organized trips.

Any recommendations for shops? Trips? Unmissable sites? I'm doing my own research as well, but this seemed like the right place to get personal recommendations.

Thanks!

S.

 

[stevensamler]

Hi all,

My wife and I are spending the summer in Los Angeles - staying for a few months. We're both OW certified, relatively inexperienced (25 dives or so), and are keen to do some diving while we're in town.

We've got some of our own gear, but aren't really at the point of just renting the stuff we're missing and going off on our own yet. So I think we're looking for organized trips.

Any recommendations for shops? Trips? Unmissable sites? I'm doing my own research as well, but this seemed like the right place to get personal recommendations.

Thanks!

S.

Hollywood Divers ask for Karim Hamza and or Eco Dive Center ask for Dylan Johnson or Ron Beltramo.

 

[merxlin]

Hi all,

My wife and I are spending the summer in Los Angeles - staying for a few months. We're both OW certified, relatively inexperienced (25 dives or so), and are keen to do some diving while we're in town.

We've got some of our own gear, but aren't really at the point of just renting the stuff we're missing and going off on our own yet. So I think we're looking for organized trips.

Any recommendations for shops? Trips? Unmissable sites? I'm doing my own research as well, but this seemed like the right place to get personal recommendations.

Thanks!

S.

LA is a big place. Where will you be staying? There are lots of good shops and groups around- so finding one that is convenient will make this a lot easier for you.

 

[WantSomeScuba?]

Hollywood Divers. Enjoy a pretty saturated dive market, with a ton of local divers. Definitely make it out to Catalina--the dive park out there is awesome.

 

[Dizzi Lizzi]

I second Catalina.

 

[outofofficebrb]

Eco Dive Center is supposed to be really good. I've dived with Malibu Divers and they are also good. Don't miss Catalina or the Channel Islands nearby. I hear Anacapa is supposed to be good, as are the oil rigs (there are 3) out of Long Beach/San Pedro. You could venture down to San Diego and do some shore diving there as well.

 

[geoff w]

Your question is pretty open ended and subject to lots of variables and answers. Have you dived in cooler water, or have all your dives been in warm tropical water? If yes, you might want to hook up with a local dive shop and go out with someone to figure things out. What do you want to do and what is your budget? Boat dives? Beach dives? Easy dives on your own schedule? Kelp? Pretty reefs and fish? Wrecks? Mornings? Full day? Multi-day? And what part of LA you're going to be in will probably affect what dive shops are close and convenient

 

[Srax]

This is exactly what I was looking for, thanks!

For a little more clarification, I'll be in Hollywood, but happy to drive for a good dive. I've done colder water before (Ontario / New Zealand) so that's not a big issue.

Mostly, I'm looking for unique stuff that I can't do in other places. And ideally with a group or a guide. Kelp forests sound fantastic. So do full-day or weekend boat trips.

S.

 

[outofofficebrb]

This is exactly what I was looking for, thanks!

For a little more clarification, I'll be in Hollywood, but happy to drive for a good dive. I've done colder water before (Ontario / New Zealand) so that's not a big issue.

Mostly, I'm looking for unique stuff that I can't do in other places. And ideally with a group or a guide. Kelp forests sound fantastic. So do full-day or weekend boat trips.

S.

If you want kelp and want weekend boat trip - Truth Aquatics does a weekend liveaboard out to the Channel Islands. Here's a selfie below with some kelp in the background on that trip from November. The oil rigs are a day trip charter through a dive shop - Eco Dive Center does them. You'll have to hire a guide for both since they don't guide...A DM.

Have fun!

 

[shucksun]

Check Out Pacific Wilderness FB page under Events for local shore based dive outings. Vets Park in Redondo is a good place to start your CA diving with them.

For your first boat trip I would recommend signing on to a trip offered by Ocean Safari Dive Shop in San Gabriel as they offer guided diving on their trips at no extra cost. Just explain your background and they will accommodate your needs.

Must dives From Shore: Casino Point Dive Park in Avalon, Shaws Cove, or Heisler Park, in Laguna Beach

Must dives From A Boat: Catalina Island and Anacapa Island (Check out the Magician Dive Boat and the Peace Dive Boat)

There is lots more diving then this, I'm sure others will offer their favorites.

J. Reeb
J. Reeb (@dark_thirty_divers) • Instagram photos and videos