Weekday evening dives in Malibu - Leo Carrillo, Deer Creek, Pt. Dume

[GH28]

Hey everyone, I'm getting back into diving again after a hiatus for a few years. I currently commute along PCH from Ventura to Malibu for work. I'll be going north on PCH from Malibu Canyon Rd most afternoons. Departure schedule is somewhat flexible.

I'd like to do a dive once every week or two in the evenings. Are there any regular groups who do these spots during the week? Would like to build up some contacts for reliable SAFE divers to go with. I have never been underwater at these particular locations before, so some local knowledge of good conditions/timing and sights to see would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[geoff w]

There aren't any regular groups that dive Malibu in the evenings, although once lobster season starts there will be a lot more evening divers during the week. One of the issues with Malibu in the late afternoon is the sea breeze picks up as inland warms up, creating bigger surf than earlier in the day and reduced visibility

There are lots of places to shore dive in Malibu. Leo Carrillo is supposed to close to day use soon (originally scheduled for July 13), and that's really the only lot you can park in evenings (up until 10 PM). Otherwise you're parking on PCH or a couple of streets

As with all night dives, it's better to become familiar with the spot in daylight before you go out diving at night

 

[GH28]

I have noticed the water is nowhere near as calm in the afternoons as it is in the mornings.

It didn't look highly necessary to park in the lot at Leo Carrillo. A couple hundred feet of walking and some stairs and you'd be in the water if you parked along PCH. That's doable. Looked similar with Deer Creek.

Night diving would be fun. Just need to gear up on optics first.

 

[geoff w]

The way everyone drives on PCH now, staying off the highway is a good idea, especially at night. I've had my truck broken into in broad daylight on Malibu Rd before. If anyone watches you gear up and go to the water, ample opportunity for bad things to happen to parked cars. At least the Leo Carrillo parking lot is relatively safe, and even though it's LA County, you can pop a cold one one the beach after your dive (it's considered overflow for the campground). Deer Creek is really dark at night, and there's not much shoulder with cars zooming by. Escondido Beach just down the hill from Geoffrey's is a good place to start night diving in Malibu, as is Malibu Rd

 

[GH28]

Interesting. Malibu Rd I could do over my lunch breaks pretty easily I think (if I really had my gear up/gear down routine down pat).