Southern California Diving?

[boxinchef]

At first I was set on Catalina Island as the location for our diving while we are in California in July, now I'm having second thoughts. I've looked into some diving in San Diego and I'm intrigued. Is (can) the diving in San Diego (be) comperable to Catalina? Where else in southern California offers good diving (wildlife, good vis., good and numerous dive outfits)? We prefer (but are not exclusive to) smaller groups.

Thanks!

 

[ItsBruce]

You have not dived until you've dived Catalina. However, the islands off Ventura are also good. I've only dived San Diego a few times and was not particularly thrilled. Sorry.

 

[dpbishop]

The eco-systems of Catalina and the mainland are essentially the same, the main difference is the visibility. When diving the lee side of Catalina you are sheltered from the wind and swells, and visibility can top 70 feet at some sites. In San Diego visibility ranges from 2 feet to (rarely) 50 feet, depending on conditions. July is usually a good visibility month in SD, the larger swells, when the come, are from the south and usually miss us. I live and dive in San Diego, and take my boat to Catalina for a week of diving in September most years.

Divebums has a description of San Diego dive spots Divebums - A San Diego Dive Website,

the Catalina sticky thread can give you more info on the Island.

How are you traveling? Do you have children with you? There is no reason you can't do both on the same trip.

 

[drbill]

I live and dive on Catalina (for nearly 40 years). As mentioned, visibility here on the leeward side almost always exceeds that of the higher energy, exposed mainland coast. You can dive the dive park right here in Avalon (see the Catalina sticky) for free, or take one of the two dive boats to some of the more "remote" sites for a day or two.

With that said, I do find different species and ones that are rare here but more common on the mainland. I've enjoyed my dives at La Jolla, and the first day I dove there filmed 13 species I had never filmed here on the island, including some I hadn't seen. However, it is a sandy bottom habitat there unless you get into the canyon. There are boat dives out of San diego to sites like the wrecks (incl. the Yukon) or the Coronados Islands.

 

[Codyjp]

How about the northern channel Islands? they are really nice too and should be considered.