|
Monterey has some nice places to dive !!!
|
|
|
|
Catalina is super nice and Lake Tahoe is always a good clear dive !!!!
|
|
|
|
|
While in LA I suggest you start off with a shore dive in Laguna Beach, and you can’t go wrong with Shaws Cove, especially if you can get a local to guide you (like me, if I’m available). If you have a full day, take one of the three dive boats out of Ventura harbor for a 3-4 dive trip to Anacapa Island. Anacapa is the best island option for newer divers because the dives are shallower in the 30-40’ range with a high probability of seeing large amounts of sea lions. Check out californiadiveboats.com for a full list of links to dive boats in the area. I haven’t dove Monterey yet, but I hear it’s a must up the coast, and there are boats on the list for Monterey as well. Since you are traveling the whole time a boat is really good to save on a hotel room since they usually let you sleep on board the night before. In Ventura I like the Spectre and Peace. There are many other shore dives North of LA that I am not familiar with, but this website seems to have a pretty comprehensive list. shorediving.com/Earth/USA_West/
|
|
|
Channel Islands are great take a short live-aboard trip i suggest the Sand Dollar boat or the Pacific Star boat you can google them for more info.
Monterrey is great go to Bamboo Reef Scuba to make a reservation for a guided tour they are great I have had Adam Lester as a guide a few times hes great. Point Loos is a preserve and has great sea-life but you need a reservation to dive there but its easy to sigh up for.
Hope this helps
Norm
|
|
|
|
That was supposed to be Point Lobos
|
|
|
My suggestions have all been covered! Although I’ll throw out there that Truth Aquatics out of Santa Barbara runs great 2-3 and 4 day liveaboard trips to the Channel Islands. They also have a "Frequent Diver" program where you book five days, you get a day trip free.
You can find decent shore dives just about anywhere there’s shelter from the Pacific swell and not a lot of runoff. :)
|
|
|
|
PS - California is moderately cold water diving, with water temps normally in the 50’s (Fahrenheit). Most dive centers will have 7mm wetsuit rentals. Happy diving!
|
|
|
does anyone know how California diving compares to New England diving? I’ve mainly been diving off of Cape Cod, with a few dives in the Florida keys, and Miami.
|
|
|
|
California diving in the Kelp forests on a sunny day with decent visibility is spectacular. Lots to see and very abundant life. I have had harbour seals dive with me the whole dive like their a dive buddy. The water temp is the only drawback being in the 50 to 58 F range. There are many shore diving spots in Monterey with varied sea life. Get a guide so you can just relax and enjoy the dive.
|
|