So my company has an office in the SD area and i will have to go there for a couple of weeks this winter (looks like November/December time frame). what is the water like then? if it is good, what do you use for expose suits at that time of year? btw, i am pretty new diver so take that into account (i just have an PADI OW and that is it)
? on diving in San Diego
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Cold - so bring/rent a 7mil. Besides San Diego - Scripps Pier is in the LaJolla area - most of the shore diving is done there. https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/spac.html I think the current 70's in San Diego are an anomaly caused by the recent storms. Later in Dec. 50's is not out of the realm of possibility. One nice thing about the cold is the algae dies off somewhat so it can be clearer.
Divebums - A San Diego Dive Website is a good resource on most of your available options. It's not obvious but Local Info details just about everything you need to know.
Also join Power Scuba's Meetup group - they might have an event during your timeframe and it's also a place to find buddies. Power Scuba: San Diego Scuba Diving (and Beyond) (La Jolla, CA) - Meetup
Arguably the best shore diving is LaJolla Cove. But parking can be tough after 8-9AM most days. There's also the Shores nearby or the Marine Room. Probably fairly easy to find a buddy at the Shores or the Cove.
Some of the best of San Diego boat diving that can be done in one day is the Kelp beds off Point Loma. Some boats do an afternoon trip to Wreck Alley the same day also. There's others but Lois Ann or Humboldt (Waterhorse Charters) are reliable options. FYI in almost every case the DM stays on the boat so if you feel you need a guide, make arrangements to hire one. Any of the boats should have contact lists. California Dive Boats : The Official Page - they're all listed at the bottom.
If you've got a free weekend, find a boat out to Los Coronados, it's shallow diving and there's a Sea Lion colony out there - they'll be out to play b4 you're in the water typically. Some boats even do it as a long day.
Divebums - A San Diego Dive Website is a good resource on most of your available options. It's not obvious but Local Info details just about everything you need to know.
Also join Power Scuba's Meetup group - they might have an event during your timeframe and it's also a place to find buddies. Power Scuba: San Diego Scuba Diving (and Beyond) (La Jolla, CA) - Meetup
Arguably the best shore diving is LaJolla Cove. But parking can be tough after 8-9AM most days. There's also the Shores nearby or the Marine Room. Probably fairly easy to find a buddy at the Shores or the Cove.
Some of the best of San Diego boat diving that can be done in one day is the Kelp beds off Point Loma. Some boats do an afternoon trip to Wreck Alley the same day also. There's others but Lois Ann or Humboldt (Waterhorse Charters) are reliable options. FYI in almost every case the DM stays on the boat so if you feel you need a guide, make arrangements to hire one. Any of the boats should have contact lists. California Dive Boats : The Official Page - they're all listed at the bottom.
If you've got a free weekend, find a boat out to Los Coronados, it's shallow diving and there's a Sea Lion colony out there - they'll be out to play b4 you're in the water typically. Some boats even do it as a long day.
Waterhorse charters runs some trips out to the Point Loma kelp beds. Short run. Not deep.
drrich2
Contributor
I don't know if it will be of much help, but ScubaDada started a thread on San Diego some time back, & the location was discussed at some length.
Richard.
Richard.
TGIF858
Registered
Correct. If going on a boat charter, be sure to find out the dive locations first. Being that you are only OW, you'll technically need to avoid the deep spots below 60'. Some boats check your cert. In addition to the day boats Humboldt (Waterhorse Charters) and Lois Ann, there is the Marissa. For overnight trips, the Horizon is great.
Unless you love cold water, you will need gloves, a hood and booties; NOT tropical thin ones. Temps at depth along the coast are generally in the 50's all year round, occasionally dropping into the upper 40's, or possibly topping 60. Surface temps can be in the 70's, so there is some variance. During Nov and Dec, barring El Nino effects, temps at depth should be in the lower 50's and surface in the 60's.
La Jolla Shores is probably the most forgiving spot to dive in So Cal. On days when the entire south coast is blown out, the Shores can still be dived. La Jolla Cove is far less forgiving, but probably a more interesting dive for you on a good day. So check conditions.
La Jolla Dive, and other ops, have dive guides available for hire.
Diversteve gave some good advice.
WarrenZ
The Ultimate Bad Example
I dove the Yukon from the Humboldt in December years ago it was some of the roughest seas I had ever dove in quite an adventure. I was comfortable in my drysuit and glad I had brought it.
TGIF858
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