Recommendations for Dive Site/Charter

[AceszHigh]

I'm heading to Oceanside August 1st-3rd and want to get some diving in on one of those days. I'm from south florida so the 100 or so logged dives I have are all in tropical warm water (meaning 5mm suit & hood is the most I've ever needed). While in CA, I Really want to check out the kelp forests & hopefully see some sea lions & sharks too.
Anyways..
From my research, it looks like the closest diving is really in San Diego. I know about La Jolla, but figure I wouldnt really know where to go & wouldn't have a buddy..for that reason and convenience I'm leaning toward a boat dive. Anyone have recommendations for a charter and/or specific dive sites? Thanks

 

[JTinSD]

On Aug 1, Marissa has a wreck trip and a kelp trip; Aug 2 has a 3 tank trip to the kelp; and Aug 3, Yukon (2) and kelp.

Lois Ann is diving on Wreck Alley Aug 1 and Aug 2.

Humboldt is going to the Yukon twice on Aug 1.

 

[scubadada]

Hi AceszHigh

I've been out with Marissa and Waterhorse Charters (Humboldt), both are very good. I've heard great things about Lois Ann.

Hope you'll have more exposure protection than your 5mm and hood. Bottom temps are usually in the low 50s, that's a 7mm and hooded vest for me. Many of the locals dive dry suits, I would if I dived there frequently rather than as a once or twice a year visitor.

Good diving, Craig

Funny thing, I'll be diving in your backyard Aug 6-9 with Underwater Explorers

 

[fnfalman]

Horizon dive charter is also a first rate dive boat.

 

[AceszHigh]

Thanks for the info guys. Would you recommend a boat dive over La Jolla? I really just want to see things I can't see here in the Atlantic/florida..namely the kelp forests and their inhabitants. I figure there are plenty of wreck dives I can do here with no wetsuit this time of year Yeah I get cold easier than most, so maybe I should bring my 3mm full suit +5mm hood and then rent a 7mil fullsuit? Or would I even be able to move with all that neoprene on lol...

Scubadada - UW explorers docks 3 miles from me! Great charter, make sure you eat at Hurricane Alley (northwest corner of federal hwy and ocean ave, basically across the st from the dock)...theyre great.

 

[Rainer]

Local water temps are in the low to mid 50sF at depth. You'll want *at least* a 7mm and hooded vest (even then I'd be freezing after multiple dives; I dive dry locally year round).

If you're only here for a few days, I'd suggest just getting on a boat. If you want to hit kelp, get on a charter going to the Pt Loma kelp beds. If you're going to do any shore diving, hit La Jolla Cove (over the Shores).

Have fun!

 

[s2kredhead]

I just dove the Yukon and Ruby with Lois Ann a couple of weeks ago and let's just say IT WAS FREEZING!!!!!!!!!!! Even with 7mm wetsuit, hooded vest, booties, gloves, the whole 9.

The crew was great and the trip was good, so definitely recommend the Lois Ann (although it was an afternoon 3-tank dive and they didn't provide quite enough chow to qualify as dinner - had to grab food after getting back to the dock around 9 pm).

I'm from Ventura Co and have done a number of dives around the Channel Islands but have never been in water that cold - of course I seldom dive deep dives around here anyway. It was 48 at the top of the Yukon according to my computer. So ... to the OP, I would suggest checking out the kelp - don't know what it's like in SD, but it is really amazing to see it and something you just can't see in tropical waters.

 

[Hatul]

It's an exaggeration to say most local divers here dive in drysuits. I think it's the other way around. Nevertheless at times the water temp at depth does drop. A 7mm full suit should be fine. Just bring a boat coat or bath robe for the boat.

Adam

 

[robint]

If I were you I would head up to LA/San Pedro area and get on one of the boats there to dive over at Catalina. The water temps should be upper 60s-70 degrees and the dives not as deep as the wrecks in San Diego. That might be much better for you since you are new to cold water diving. Check out the Sand Dollar (tanks and wts included), Great Escape, Magician, Bottom Scratcher, Sun Diver. Or take the ferry over to Avalon on Catalina and shore dive or get on the King Neptune.

Just my 2 cents.
robin

 

[AceszHigh]

Ended up diving with Lois Ann today..2 shallow dives in the kelp (50ft in the sand) at Point Loma. Very good charter & price (it was $44 w/ tanks included!) My computer said 52 degrees..wore a 7mm fullsuit & hood and a vest that was 5mm I believe. I was still cold! Though I am spoiled by 80-85 degree water from FL Kelp was neat, not really much to see and lots of surge at the bottom made it hard to hold still for the close up pics I was trying to take of the nudibranchs and such. Definitely don't regret the dive it was fun, but I'm totally spoiled by living in FL!