Revision 8/21/2009 2:05 PM
|
Malaga Cove
 Palos Verdes, CA |
|
|
Malaga Cove contains reefs, kelp, sand and rock creatures. Take two tanks, if you have the time and energy!
Directions: Located in the posh Palos Verdes area, grab your street map and follow along: From the Pacific Coast Highway, head South on Palos Verdes Blvd for 1.4 miles. Turn right on Palos Verdes Drive West. In 1/4 mile, turn right on Via Corta which soon becomes Via Almar. Take your next right (Via Arroyo) to the view below.
Malaga Cove is one of two spots on the Palos Verdes Peninsula that has easy beach access. The other being White Point. I’ve dived Malaga cove quite a few times and it’s either hit or miss. When it’s good, I’ve found 25ft+ visibility. When its bad, it could be less than a foot. The good thing about Malaga is that it’s extremely shallow. You have to go really far out to get over 40 ft and most points of interest are at 25 to 30. You’ll encounter plenty of garibaldi, opaleye, sargo, senorita, and a few sheep head. As well as some lobster, if you know where to look. Most divers enter over the rocks by the yacht/dive club and then plan their dive perpendicular to the club. If a high southern swell is up Malaga can be a safe haven for divers. If a Northern swell is brewing, you’re better off diving elsewhere.
I’ve dove this site several times, but never seem to get good viz. But I’m told that when it’s good, it’s really good. There are lots of kelp patches, eel grass, and rock reefs with lots of fish and other life to see, when you can… BUT DON’T BE TEMPTED TO ENTER OVER THE ROCKS! That entry sucks as the bottom has such a gentle slope to it that you’ll be standing and wobbling while fighting the waves and waiting to take your next lunging slippery step forward through yet more slick rocks until finally, 30’ out, you get into chest deep water. Just make the extra hike to the sand beach entry and fin back out. Trust me, your knees and shins will thank you. Sand entry is good for beginner divers on up. Lots to see, shallow.
http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/USA_West/CalM/Malaga_Cove/index.htm