San Diego area easy dive spot

[jar546]

Thinking about taking the 25 yo stepson diving in the San Diego area/region. He is recently certified with about 10 dives under his belt. Still working on buoyancy issues. is there an area that would be recommended for someone like him?

Maybe a DM to hire? Looking for decent vis and a good experience for him. He will be diving wet.

 

[on_two_wheels]

Yeah.....La Jolla shores is the easiest. However, swim out about 250 yards and you're still in 15-20 feet of water at most and LOTS of sand.

Does it have to be San Diego? Go out to catalina and do casino point. It's not controlled environment but as close as you'll get to it in the open ocean. Little to no current, some shallow surge at times, relatively easy entry/exit, lots to see and usually good viz. As for the DM, make sure you post dates first and you might find an experienced local to join you for free.


Legal Disclaimer: This person would be joining as a dive buddy only and assume no responsibility like that of a DM or instructor.

 

[jar546]

We will be landing at the San Diego airport if we go some somewhere in that area/region. Thanks!

 

[tajkd]

I found La Jolla quite a challenge even after shore diving on the East Coast. I second the Catalina idea. It's an easy boat ride and much calmer. It will also be much more interesting to dive.

 

[iztok]

If you have rental, drive north (about an hour or so if no traffic?) and hit Long Beach and hop on Sundiver and do some dives. Or Catalina shore dives.

 

[jar546]

Maybe we will fly into LAX then instead of the drive from San Diego up the coast.

 

[on_two_wheels]

Maybe we will fly into LAX then instead of the drive from San Diego up the coast.

Why are you coming here? Just to take him diving? If so, definitely do the LAX option and go spend a night at catalina. Personally, I wouldn't recommend SD to divers unless they're AOW and have some experience with currents/surge/low viz. Not because all the sites are like that....just several of the best sites.

 

[D_B]

if you can, Catalina dive park .. lots to see in one area .. stairs into water , kelp areas, rocky reef areas, shallow areas, sandy areas, wrecks, plaques ... a favorite place of mine

 

[CaliforniaDiverMag]

LaJolla Shores is a great spot, and there's a lot that can be seen here. Take a look at our article on diving LaJolla shores from our November/December issue of California Diver Magazine, written by Allison Vitsky and Andrew Sallmon. You can download a PDF here:

http://www.californiadiver.com/lajollashores.pdf

- Chris

California Diver Magazine - Dedicated to scuba diving and skin diving in California. Subscribe today!
http://www.californiadiver.com/facebook

 

[jridg]

As long as you are OK with the stairs, La Jolla Cove can be a far simpler dive and lots more to see.....