San Diego Weekend Dive Help

[TheSmiler]

Hello!

I am attending a business meeting in San Diego the first wek of February. I would like to get in a couple of days early and dive on Saturday and Sunday 1/31 and 2/1.

i would like some recommendations for a dive outfit to get in a few dives.

I will be traveling light so will only be able to pack fins/mask. I will need to rent equipment for the 2 days.

I am an intermediate diver, but have not done any cold water diving so this will be a new experience for me.

I'd like to get a taste of the best that San Diego has to offer, packing multiple dives into these 2 days.

Can someone point me in the right direction? I rarely get a chance at SoCal and don't want to wast the opportunity to see what it has to offer.

I looked through some other threads, but the consensus seems to be to get an opinion shortly before traveling.

Thanks!

Ian

 

[Scuba G]

You have several excellent options:

1) Take a dive boat out to the wrecks (Yukon, Ruby E, El Ray). Since you haven't done cold water dives yet, I'd recommend getting either a DM or find an experienced dive buddy. I really like the Humboldt and also the Lois Ann. Both excellent boats. They also do kelp dives which wouldn't be as deep as the wrecks. You could rent a full set of gear at OEX Mission Bay or probably slightly cheaper at any Sport Chalet.

2) Shore diving at La Jolla Shores: It's a submarine canyon, so it does get crazy deep here but the wall structure starts at 60 ft. Again, hire a DM or find a local dive buddy. The shore is in walking distance to OEX La Jolla, where you find both DM's and gear. Another nice dive site is La Jolla Cove south of the shores.

3) There's always Catalina though not really close from San Diego as you need to drive up to Long Beach to catch a boat or the ferry to the dive park but definately worth it. The ferry also leaves from Dana Point to Avalon, which is only an hour from San Diego.

I'm already booked on a boat to Catalina on the 31st but I could join you on the 1st and show you around.

Enjoy your SoCal visit!
Gerald

 

[waytooslow]

I am looking to dive near Torrey Pines area around the same dates. Thinking Caranado Island trip or?? Thanks for the info Scuba G sounds like you have been there a few times. Hopefully I can get a dive or two in while there.

Any other SharePoint conference folks going?

 

[scubadada]

Hi Smiler,

My favorite operation is Marissa Dive Charters San Diego Scuba Diving,San Diego Dive Boats,Dive Charters Home Page,San Diego California,san diego scuba diving boats,san diego boat dives,san diego scuba diving,san diego scuba diving charters,scuba diving san diego california They're going to the Yukon/Ruby E morning of 1/31 and 2 Kelp dives in the afternoon. Their schedule for 2/1 is not yet posted. You'd have to rent gear elsewhere to dive with them.

I have also dived with Dive Connections Scuba Diving San Diego - Dive Boats - Scuba Tours - Daily Boat Dives - Dive Connections Inc. San Diego CA Home Page They have full gear rental on site, big advantage for someone in your situation, I take all my own gear. The water is cold, low 50s at depth. You will need a good 7 mm full suit, booties, gloves, and hood. They have a good schedule for your visit dates. Coronados or Yukon/Ruby E on the morning of 1/31 with Yukon/NOSC tower in PM if you don't do the islands in the morning. On 2/1 they have Coronados or Yukon/Ruby E in the AM with 2 Yukon in the PM if you don't go to the Coronados in the AM.

I 2nd Scuba G's comments. The deeper wrecks of the Yukon and Ruby E may be best with a divemaster unless you're a bit more confident than you state. Besides the cold water, visibility might not be what you're used to. The Yukon is a 366 foot long, 42 foot wide Canadian Mackenzie class Destroyer Escort sunk in 2000, laying on its port side with the bottom at about 105 feet. The Ruby E is a 165 foot long, 25 foot wide US Coast Guard "B" class Cutter sunk in 1987 with a bottom of about 85 feet. The Coronados and the kelp dives are probably fine for a diver of your experience. The dive sites are well described on both websites.

I take advantage of diving in San Diego whenever I visit, the diving is fabulous.

Good diving, Craig

 

[mselenaous]

This link from California Dive News, lets you search all of the CA dive charters by date, location, dive site, etc.

California Diving News - Dive Trips - Directory

 

[Scuba G]

TheSmiler and waytooslow, I signed up for a boat trip to the Coronados Islands for the morning of 2/1. In the afternoon, I'll be going to the Point Loma kelp beds for a second charter. Feel free to join me if you'd like. PM me for details.

And I'd second the Marissa: Great boat which I should have mentioned in my earlier post.