Lunada Bay

[DavidPT40]

May be heading out to Los Angeles this month. I'd really like to dive the famous kelp forests of Cali. Can anyone here tell me about Lunada Bay? I saw a group of divers doing a shore dive here. What kind of water temps could I expect for mid-march or early april?

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Usually in the high 50s then. The surfer trail at Lunada Bay is steep and narrow in spots. It would be difficult if not impossible to wear gear down all the way. The kelp is at the far west end of the beach where the Dominator wreck is, a walk over 1/4 mile on boulders. Perhaps they were diving Honeymoon Cove, the next beach east of Lunada Bay.

 

[FrankPro1]

I've never dove Lunada Bay before, but if you are coming all the way out from Kentucky.... You would probably be better off going to some better known dive spots. Marineland is a local favorite for most divers, as well as Christmas Tree and Honeymoon cove. All these spots mentioned are located on the Palos Verdes Pennisula. Christmas Tree, Honeymoon and Lunada are all chained together, one after the other. While Marineland is a quick 5min drive away. Marineland is probably the easiest accessed while many will say Christmas Tree cove has the most consistent good visibility on the whole Peninsula.

If your coming all the way out from Kentucky, I would take a charter boat out to Catalina for a few dives or take the Catalina Express boat out to Avalon to experience Casino Point's underwater park. When your done with that and if conditions permit, a few dives off of Palos Verdes would top off what could very well be a dive trip of a lifetime.

Let me know if you need directions to any of Palos Verdes Spots.

 

[DavidPT40]

Crazy as it sounds, I actually watched a group of about 15 asian divers walk (in full gear) down the steep trail to Lunada Bay. I thought to myself how dangerous that was. I can barely keep my balance on level ground when I have my tank/bc on.

Thanks for the advice Frank, maybe I'll check out Christmas or Marineland.

 

[FrankPro1]

I can barely keep my balance on level ground when I have my tank/bc on.

If that is true then... you are gonna want to steer clear of Christmas Tree and Honeymoon as well. Marineland should be an easy time for you, though the trail is .5 miles to the normal entry point. Some other dive sites to consider would be White Point, Malaga Cove and Veterans Park.

 

[JMdiver]

If your balance isn't good White point is tough but it you want to try it do it at high tide only & Malaga is easier from the beach but watch out for the String Rays. Shuffle the feet.

John

 

[JMdiver]

If you don't mind the drive Laguna Beach is a great dive.

John

 

[ligersandtions]

If your balance isn't good White point is tough but it you want to try it do it at high tide only & Malaga is easier from the beach but watch out for the String Rays. Shuffle the feet.

John

White Point is a pretty simple entry on a very high tide (i.e. 6+ feet)....when it's fairly high, it can be an okay entry....when it's low tide, it can be brutal!

As for Malaga, the entry may not be bad, but the vis is always crap there....or at least it has been every time I've tried to go there. Maybe you'll have better luck than me!

 

[JMdiver]

Yea Malaga usually has crappy vis but if you catch a good vis day it's awesome.

John