Best dive site in LA

[apachemd]

My gf and I just got certified. We're gonna be in LA for a few days in late May and would like to squeeze in one dive... if there is a good dive site in LA that's worth the effort?

[merxlin]

L.A. is a big place- where are you going to be staying? We can give you some local sites closer to your location. If you have a full day, I would suggest either a day boat or a trip by ferry to Catalina. Hard to beat for a single days diving.

[apachemd]

Touche -- we're staying in Hollywood. Unfortunately b/c our visit is so short we can probably only carve out about a half-day or so for a single dive.

Thoughts?

[Leejnd]

If you're only planning on doing one dive, I assume that means you plan on a beach dive, correct? If so, given the fact that you just got certified, you might want to rethink this. Beach diving in SoCal is challenging, even for experienced divers, and I would not recommend it for someone who is newly certified, not familiar with the area or conditions, and not diving with someone more experienced. Challenges include very cold water (low 50's lately), potentially high surf, low visibility (especially on beach dives), and kelp (entanglement dangers).

Can you share with us your diving experience thus far? If you have little or no beach/cold water diving, I suspect most of my fellow SoCal divers will also warn you away from this.

As Mike stated above, your best bet is a boat dive or day out at Catalina. It's unfortunate that your schedule does not permit this.

[apachemd]

Just got certified a few weeks ago, have about 10 dives under our belts -- all in Bonaire (i.e. easy, warm diving).

That is good info, I didn't consider the level of difficulty. Any easy lake dives?

yeah that kelp sound scary, and so does the high surf (I'm not the greatest swimmer)

[Leejnd]

Okay, well, given what you just disclosed, I will change my position to: do not even consider doing this dive. ;)

We do not have any easy lake dives around here that I know of.

SoCal diving is about as far away from warm-water Bonaire diving as you can get. The cold water in and of itself makes it a completely different type of diving. What were you planning on using for exposure protection? Around here we dive in full 7mm wetsuits with hoods and gloves (or dry suits). If you haven't experienced diving in that kind of suit, you might find it bulky and restrictive. And of course there is the level of difficulty. you are wise to reconsider. :)

On the other hand, SoCal offers some of the most spectacular diving in the world. Since you don't have the option of going out on a boat, one option you might consider is hiring an instructor or DM for the half-day. He/she could advise you as to what gear/exposure suits to rent, and get you out for a shallow beach dive, if conditions that day permit. The problem, of course, is we never know when conditions will permit! If it's a high-surf day, even the most experienced divers won't be doing any beach dives that day.

[apachemd]

Great info. Seeing if we can get a DM for a half-day is a great idea! Any good dive ships near a good shore dive location you'd recommend?

[Leejnd]

Since you're going to be staying in Hollywood, I'm going to recommend Hollywood Divers (http://hollywoodivers.com/). :) They could hook you up with a good instructor who could give you a primer on beach diving in SoCal before they take you out.

[apachemd]

Super, thanks so much Lee :)! Will definitely let you know what we end up doing...

[Teamcasa]

If you only have half a day and would like a DM to dive with you, i'd call a local shop like Hollywood Divers. On the other hand, enjoy yourself, take the whole day and go to Catalina and hire a DM there or better yet, ask around here on SB for someone who would be happy to dive with you at the Casino dive park.

[geoff w]

Great info. Seeing if we can get a DM for a half-day is a great idea! Any good dive ships near a good shore dive location you'd recommend?
Malibu Divers (http://malibudivers.com/) is probably the closest local dive shop to any beach (right across the street from the water) and can give you updates on conditions - surf, viz, water temperature - as well as rent gear and provide a DM to help with So Cal beach dive logistics and go out with you. I've seen tourists stop in there late afternoon to rent gear for just one afternoon dive. You could always check out conditions before renting from them if you end up diving in Malibu

If you're thinking of doing a late afternoon or weekend morning dive, you can probably find someone on here that might be interested in going out with you, or at least help get you started

Beach dives here are hit and miss, but can be spectacular. Unlikely you will have the same viz as you had in Bonaire. Timing a beach dive around tides also helps

[Leejnd]

It does seem a shame to go to all the trouble to rent gear, hire a DM and travel to a dive site, and only do one dive!

[SoCalRich]

Try "Sundiver International". they have two boats running out of Alamitos harbor, Long Beach, Ca. (526) 594-6968
On Sundiver Express, (The faster & smaller boat) you can get in two dives at Catalina island, Hire a DM, rental gear, and back in to port by about 2:00 pm. Ask them about 7mil wetsuits?
regardless of whom ever you dive with- Bring a camera!
Calif. diving is much different than the tropics. But plenty to see. above & below the surface.
Enjoy your time here in the Golden State.
SoCalRich

[orangelion03]

Best shore diving in "Los Angeles" is Laguna Beach. Easy access and entries, good underwater scenery, and local amenities.

Contact Laguna Sea Sports...they will set you up with all you need and a guide.
Laguna Sea Sports | Beach Cities Scuba Centers – Your premier Orange County Scuba Diving experience

(http://www.beachcitiesscuba.com/lagunaseasports/)Not to detract from others' suggestion of Hollywood Divers! Just saying that if you are going to check out a particular dive spot, use the nearest dive shop for local knowledge.

[drbill]

LeeAnne and Dave have given good advice (as expected). Maybe Hollywoodivers has a beach dive scheduled while you are here. They are a great shop. However, if there is any way you can fit a full day of diving in, I don't think you'd regret doing so.