San Clemente for beginners

[Mantasscareme]

Hi everybody,
I've recently booked a day trip to San Clemente Island for early September. I did this on advice I got from everyone here at scubaboard that San Clemente is favorable to Catalina :06: .Anyway, I read in a "Lonely Planet" book on diving that San Clemente is known for it's rather nasty currents. I'm a new diver, only 15 logged dives, and I've never really faced any type of weather whatsoever (the spots I dove in Hawaii were like swimming pools with fish, and you know how the Coronado Islands are ) . So basically, I wanted some reassurance from divers who have dove that area that a beginner like me would be able to handle it (the dive sites would probably be in the Pyramid Cove area as well as further north along the leeward side). I can still easily change my plans to Catalina, so any advice would be welcome.
Thanks and sorry to bother
-Mantasscareme

 

[Taxgeek]

I wouldn't worry too much about it, M, besides diving conservatively and knowing your limits. The dive sites will vary widely. I've been to some sites at SCI where there was some surge, but not actually any current in 3 visits. Other folks may have different info, depending on lots of factors. Every time I've gone and the boat experienced any current, they've moved to a different dive site.

What boat are you on, and with what group? You may be able to dive with a DM escort or with more experienced divers who will know the area well.

When you get there, you can tell if there is a current or not by looking at the kelp. Kelp leaves floating lazily on the surface = no current. Kelp lying down at an angle under the surface = current.

I hope your dives go really well! SCI is beautiful.
Taxgeek

 

[Mantasscareme]

I wouldn't worry too much about it, M, besides diving conservatively and knowing your limits. The dive sites will vary widely. I've been to some sites at SCI where there was some surge, but not actually any current in 3 visits. Other folks may have different info, depending on lots of factors. Every time I've gone and the boat experienced any current, they've moved to a different dive site.

What boat are you on, and with what group? You may be able to dive with a DM escort or with more experienced divers who will know the area well.

When you get there, you can tell if there is a current or not by looking at the kelp. Kelp leaves floating lazily on the surface = no current. Kelp lying down at an angle under the surface = current.

I hope your dives go really well! SCI is beautiful.
Taxgeek

I'll be diving with Dive Bliss, aka OEX out of San Diego. I'm going to be going with a private DM,but since they only dive that area once a month, I'm a bit concerned as to how well they know the sites. Thanks for your help.

 

[Ann Marie]

I have dove San Clemente many times. Only once did we get some current but nothing that we couldn't handle. After that dive the boat just pulled anchor and move to a calm site. Just remember to swim into the current on the first leg of your dive and then with it back to the boat. San Clemente is a great island and you'll probably love it. There are enough dive spots that the boat can probably find one that has no current. Have a great time!!

 

[Mantasscareme]

I have dove San Clemente many times. Only once did we get some current but nothing that we couldn't handle. After that dive the boat just pulled anchor and move to a calm site. Just remember to swim into the current on the first leg of your dive and then with it back to the boat. San Clemente is a great island and you'll probably love it. There are enough dive spots that the boat can probably find one that has no current. Have a great time!!

Thanks, that was just the reassurance I needed. I'm sure I'll love San Clemente, I might even post a trip report when I get back. Thanks for your help.

 

[ScubaSeanMaui]

You might enjoy it more if you had a few more dives under your belt! It took me a few dozen dives to get comfortable... Conditions have been mild! Let me know if you ever want to check out the LJ Shores!

Sean

 

[Mantasscareme]

You might enjoy it more if you had a few more dives under your belt! It took me a few dozen dives to get comfortable... Conditions have been mild! Let me know if you ever want to check out the LJ Shores!

Sean

Thanks for the offer, but I'm really not planning on diving the Shores until next summer. As for San Clemente, I thought that unless the dive sites are significantly better for beginners at Catalina (I don't know, are they :06: ), I would get some more dives logged at the sheltered sites at San Clemente and then graduate to the more advanced sites of the same island (with the eventual goal of enjoying the northern Channel Islands). Is there any significant problem with that plan?
Thanks for your imput,
-Mantasscareme

 

[ScubaSeanMaui]

I think most spots can have beginning and advanced dives, unless you are diving an underwater pinnicle or a dive with current. People die at Casino Point which is probably among the easiest places to dive. I was just trying to help you ease your worry by getting a few more dives under your belt. There is no substitute for experience.

Sean

 

[mossym]

just got back from a liveaboard at san clemente. Most of the sites were very easy, with little or no current, and the seas were perfectly calm. The last day was in the northern islands, at santa cruz, and currents were stronger...

 

[Kayak Diver]

Go have fun and don't worry about it. I also went to San Clemente on the Horizon not long after getting certified...just a few dives in the logbook. All was really great. Just stick with your buddy, and remember everything you've learned in cert. class...including navigation. You'll have a great time. It's beautiful out there.