Trip to California - Any diving there???

[GaryBDavis]

I've got to go out to the Bay area later on in June and was wondering if there is any good diving out there that is worth dragging my gear through the airport. Perhaps some of my fellow Texans have a recommendation for me. I'll be out there alone, so a day trip from a dive charter would be what I'm looking for. Thanks

 

[ZzzKing]

California has hundreds of miles of coastline. Any idea what part you'll be near?

 

[ae3753]

If you're heading out to the Bay Area, then you'll want to dive Monterey or Carmel. Amazing place to dive, but have you dove cold water before?

In addition, unlike boat charters in the tropics, there's no in water DM/guide for your dives here. They drop anchor and you and your buddy jump in and dive on your own.

Post your dates on the NorCal sub-forum and you'll get even more advice and recommendations.

Have a great time.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

If you said Bay Area then that means Monterey for sure. Book a trip on one of the Monterey charter boats.
You'll need gear to dive in water temps from 44 -52 degrees this time of year (actually most of the year).
This means thick wetsuit or drysuit. If you don't have one of those then you can call of the three dive shops in Monterey and make arrangments to rent what you need.

As far as "Is the diving is any good", well, you'll just have to get wet then come back here and tell us about wether it sucked or not. It's all in the eye of the beholder.
Hundreds if not thousands of us in California have come to the conclusion that it's probably some of the best diving in the world.

 

[TSandM]

Is the diving worth dragging your dive gear through the airport?

Well, I'm leaving tomorrow morning to do 14 or more hours of driving, to dive Monterey this weekend. It will be my fourth diving trip there. I can't wait. The stunning, dramatic topography and the amazing color would be enough . . . the life is the icing on the cake.

If you can spare the time to go down there, by all means bring your gear. It IS cold, and there is that nasty moving water stuff that California divers have to live with (surf), but it's worth it.

 

[Bogie]

Lots of Dive boats in Monterey.

You'll love it.

 

[Kryssa]

I highly recommend the Silver Prince
https://silverprincecharters.com/

 

[GaryBDavis]

My business is in Concord which is basically in San Francisco. However, I think the water is going to be too cold for my wet suit collection. I do have a 7mil, but I sure don't like diving it as it's pretty tight and pain to get in and out of. I dive a 5mil with no hood at Aquarena at 70 degrees and that's perfect for me. Sounds like I need a dry suit or it's a no-go.

 

[WetCell]

My business is in Concord which is basically in San Francisco. However, I think the water is going to be too cold for my wet suit collection. I do have a 7mil, but I sure don't like diving it as it's pretty tight and pain to get in and out of. I dive a 5mil with no hood at Aquarena at 70 degrees and that's perfect for me. Sounds like I need a dry suit or it's a no-go.

I have dove Monterey four times as an accidental tourist. I had business in Palo Alto and would come in early to SJC, drive down to Monterey and spend the night then dive the next morning and be easily in Palo Alto by dinnertime.

I am particular about my dive gear and am able to get everything into a large Oceanic wheeled bag. You must have a 7 mm suit along with hood, boots and gloves. I recommend that you just rent them. I can vouch for Aquarius Dive Shop on Del Monte. They are full service, have on-site parking and a large area where you can rinse your gear off after the dive.

If you are dry suit certified you can rent one, but I have never heard of anyone being happy with that. I dove a rented 7 mm and was fine.

I dove the Cypress Sea (now decommissioned, but a great boat), the Sanctuary and the Silver Prince. One of my four dives was a surf dive off Lover's Beach. It was a great dive but I will never do it again--just too old for humping equipment long distances, YMMV. If you want to do surf Aquarius will hook you up with a guide.

The Silver Prince is a good boat, but for the ultimate do the Sanctuary. The Prince is your usual cattle-car dive boat while the Sanctuary is like a private charter.

Once you dive Monterey you will understand the allure :goingdown:

 

[WetCell]

Once you dive Monterey you will understand the allure :goingdown:

I want to add that if you don't jump on this opportunity you are really losing out. I remember my first dive when the boat captain apologized for the poor 50' viz--I had to explain to him what a Texas Swamp diver was. Yes, we have the Aquarena,The Clipper and the Flower Gardens--but Monterey is just as special.