Question What are easy shore dive conditions?

[Eric_K]

Terrain makes a big difference - how far do you have to lug your gear from where you parked to the waterline? What will you be walking on as you enter/exit - nice sandy bottom, or softball-sized ankle turning rocks?

Hello I am interested frequenting a beach in Malibu, California, for shore diving, scuba. I know I should be looking for days and times when the surf is less than 2 feet. I believe I should be looking for days and times when the tide is coming in, not when the tide is going out. What else should I be looking for please? I am PADI OW with 50 dives.
Thank you.

From a former NorCal diver, easy access is strongly preferred ie walk-in and out. Also, a point is to get a gently sloping beach so easy to back in. I'd also look to understand how far out the kelp line is so you're not doing the kelp crawl with heavy surge. Perhaps you can even find a boat launch. There was one right by the Pebble Beach Lodge, as I recall. The goal is to enjoy being under the water, not getting beat up in waves.

 

[happy-diver]

Also, a point is to get a gently sloping beach so easy to back in.

You must be talking about your car right, not walking backwards with fins on

 

[TMHeimer]

Terrain makes a big difference - how far do you have to lug your gear from where you parked to the waterline? What will you be walking on as you enter/exit - nice sandy bottom, or softball-sized ankle turning rocks?

Yes. Exiting is almost always harder than entering as you go shallower.