Revision 8/20/2009 6:24 PM
When Neptune is cooperating, this becomes one of the most popular dive sites in the area. Because the marine life is protected here, you’ll find a wide variety of fish, friendlier than usual.
Make a left on Myrtle Street about 1/2 mile North of Broadway and Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna. Turn right on Cliff.
My opinion of Diver’s Cove as a beginning snorkeler was that it was absolutely great. Lots of metered parking to be had generally. A quarter machine is available (it was out of order one time that I went) about 600-1000 feet north of the entry to Diver’s Cove. Two entries to this beach. The south entry is a small-medium length ramp with showers at the bottom, the north entry a down-sloped walkway to stairs. I believe there were two lifeguards, one at the north part of the beach and one to the south. Bathrooms right at the top of the south ramp. I had the most fun snorkeling at the north part of the beach. Up there is a big rock formation that juts out into the water and curves around toward another beach. You can walk out onto the rocks except during high tide. My first time out I swam along the rocks and viewed the sea life on the bottom and on the side of the rocks. Couple of big sea stars, kelp, eelgrass, sand bass, lots of garibaldi and other fish I didn’t recognize as a beginner. A horde of sea urchins and anemones further around the rock to the north. I also saw a bunch of small bat rays, probably about 10 or 15 different ones on my last outing. 2-3 foot surf when I was there, and great visibility starting at a mere 20-30 feet from shore. Lots of scuba classes in the morning on the weekends. This site has really peaked my interest in snorkeling, and eventually getting scuba certified.
http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/USA_West/CalS/Divers_Cove/index.htm