California

The massive state of California is a hotspot for scuba, offering numerous different locations and options for all types of divers. Cage shark diving is popular off the coast. The state has created many protected marine environments, which allow for ideal diving conditions.

_________________________________________________

Stacks Image 2481
La Jolla Cove is a small cove, surrounded by cliffs just north of San Diego. The area is very rich in marine life.
With curves and caves, the cove is a very interesting dive. It is well known for its kelp forests, which offer protection for sea life and a unique experience for divers.
Yellowtail fish, rays, and leopard sharks live here. Bright orange Garibaldi fish also swim in La Jolla Cove, along with seals and sea lions.
The water is calm, but swells from the open ocean can sometimes make this area a challenge for beginning divers.
Stacks Image 2487
The Farallon Islands are technically part of the city and county of San Francisco, but sit several miles off the coast into the Pacific Ocean. The island string is protected and uninhabited, except for researchers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife officers on one island.
Shark dives are very popular in this area. Great white sharks are attracted to the Farallon Islands by the large seal populations. The great whites here are some of the largest in the world. Peak shark season is usually in the fall, September through November.
Several types of seals and sea lions come to shore on the islands, and several species of whales also roam nearby, most often including blue whales, gray whales, and humpback whales.

_________________________________________________

Stacks Image 2544
Point Lobos is a historic marine reserve, just south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. The reserve was created in 1973, and decades without fishing and consumption makes the area one of the best in California for scuba diving.
A submarine canyon means the water here is very nutrient-rich, which also adds to the diversity of marine life. Extensive kelp forests grow near the shore. Further out, gray, humpback, and blue whales can sometimes be spotted. Boulders and valleys make up the interesting underwater floor. Depths in allowed diving areas reach about 70 feet.
Access is restricted under a reservation system to control the number of divers each day, but the wait (and the fee to dive) is well worth it.
Stacks Image 2550
Shaw’s Cove is a relatively remote area in the city of Laguna Beach, southern California. Visitors are mostly locals.
Abundant marine animals live along the reef here, with depths reaching about 50 feet. During calm conditions, a natural trench makes for interesting diving and is full of sea urchins.
Lobsters, eels, ray, bright orange Garibaldi, and octopus can all be seen in Shaw’s Cove. The protected shoreline and great visibility make the area one of the most popular dive spots in Orange County.

_________________________________________________

You’ve found a great spot to go diving — now Find A Buddy to dive with.