San Diego March 11-12

[dberry]

I'll be in San Diego for work and have wrangled 2 days for diving - Friday March 11th and Saturday March 12th. I found a few open boats for Saturday (Marissa, Lois Ann, Humbolt), but the only thing I saw on Friday was a club charter on the Humbolt (to Coronado Islands.) I'm staying in downtown San Diego, so I can't see driving 2+ hours to some of the OC or LA boats. Sadly, I really have to work on Sunday. I'd hate to drag my gear across the country for just 1 day of diving.

Any suggestions for diving on Friday, March 11?
Thanks in advance.
-Don

 

[mselenaous]

Ask the Humboldt for the name of the club & contact info. While clubs tend to reserve full boats, they sometimes still have unsold spots and might let you join them.

On Sat try for a charter going to the Yukon & the Ruby E or some combo with kelp forest dives. Yukon is big like the Duane but lists on its side. Ruby is a small tug all pink like a parade float with pink anemone. PS those were my coldest dives ever, 48deg one trip & 51 deg on another.

Also don't overlook shore diving in Lajolla & surrounds kelp forests. If you don't find a buddy/guide on SB, call some local shops to hire a guide. Totally worth it to learn how to get through the surf zone safely.

Maybe you can meet the other Don Berry, @D_B here on SB.

Cheers, stay warm, have fun.

 

[elgoog]

Check out the Dive Bums website, lots of details especially for the shore diving sites in the La Jolla area. They have an email list as well which I have not used but is supposed to be pretty active in case you're looking for a buddy - Divebums - A San Diego Dive Website
Also look at the Power Scuba group on MeetUp - their calendar doesn't show any events for that Friday but it might be worth a shot sending the group a message to see if anyone will dive.

 

[D_B]

Hi Don Berry
this is ....... Don Beary

I was just going to suggest Divebums too
these are some usually protected northwest facing shore entry sites with details ... Divebums - A San Diego Dive Website
La Jolla Cove would allow varied diving opportunities with kelp and/or rock reef
La Jolla Shores you can get to the canyon, although this surface swim is like a couple 100 yards (learned to dive here, as many do)

La Jolla Cove/Shores is about 13 miles / 25 minutes from downtown SD ... https://www.google.com/maps/dir/La+...3a21fdfd15df79!2m2!1d-117.1610838!2d32.715738

 

[dberry]

Hi Don Beary!
Thanks (and to elgoog) for the DiveBums advice. Elena's advice to call the group that chartered the Humbolt was right-on. Ocean Enterprises is chartering the Los Coronados trip on March 11, and still has plenty of space. As much as I'd like to try shore diving in San Diego, I've only got the 2 days and I'd hate to lose out due to surf conditions, etc. So, I'll do the trip to Los Coronados on Friday, and then on Saturday go with the Marissa to NOSC Tower and Ingraham Street Bridge. Or possibly the Yukon + Ruby E with the Lois Ann on Saturday. Any thoughts about the different choices for Saturday?
-Don (Berry)

 

[elgoog]

Sounds like an awesome couple of days!!
Lois Ann is a great boat, if you need a DM/guide ask for Karma. Also, for the Coronados trip, don't forget to take your passport.

 

[D_B]

They're both really good dive sites
I'm a bit partial to the Ruby E because it reminds me of a parade float and the Yukon, well .. because it's a really big ship laying on it's side

 

[scubadada]

I also prefer the Yukon and Ruby E

 

[fnfalman]

I'd vote for the Coronados and then the Wreck Alley.