In Dana Point area for three days, best place/outfit to dive?

[chris.evans]

Hi, I am visiting Irvine on the 9th, and staying the rest of the week in the socal area. I would like to go diving, and I love seeing little creatures.

I have talked to three outfits in Catalina, none have boats planned to go out those days, I have also never planned a trip to Catalina myself, unsure what all that entails, or if there's a socal-side outfit that covers everything in one package.

I am ok with shore dives, I just wanna dive why I am in the states on this business trip. I have all my own gear.

I could also go diving with any buddies that know good spots, I will have my own car.

 

[lamarpaulski]

You can easily catch the ferry from Newport Beach or Dana PT to Avalon, Catalina Island, and dive the Dive Park there. Catalina Flyer and Catalina Express are two that go there. You can rent everything or just a tank/weight belt right at the dive site by the Casino. Easy. I enjoy that quite a bit and that's what I would do. I use a hand cart or dolly to roll my gear from the dock to the dive site which is about 1/2 mile away. Consistently good and very easy diving. A stairway and railings to get into the water. Lots of stuff to see and has been protected for a long time. Tons of info here on SB re that option. Laguna Beach is also very close to you and can be a good option. Simpler for you in time and money. Conditions probably won't be as nice as Catalina and you're more subject to waves. Basically free though and can be very nice. Shaws and Diver's Cove are popular and usually pretty easy entries. There are groups regularly diving there too. There is a dive shop in Laguna and also one in Dana Point. Both Catalina and Laguna Beach diving is enhanced with a small light to illuminate crevices and small caves to see those small creatures.

 

[Chiapet]

If you'll still be in town on Friday the 13th I'd recommend catching a dive boat out of San Pedro/Long Beach. Its about a 45 minute drive from Irvine and for about $110 they'll take you to Catalina for 3 dives and give you lunch. The boat ride is 1-2 hours depending on the boat. Here's one boat that's going out Friday: Magician Scuba | Diving Southern California's Channel Islands | Schedule a Trip

If you'll be around on Saturday the 14th consider this trip to the Long Beach Oil Rigs. You can sleep on the boat the night before and the rigs usually have very good visibility. They are prone to current and surge though:

Oil Rigs & Wreck 3-Tank Dive - Power Scuba: San Diego Scuba Diving (and Beyond) (La Jolla, CA) - Meetup
Pacific Star Diving - Scuba Diving in Redondo Beach

Monday-Thursday the dive boats don't usually have enough passengers to go out.

Hope you have a good trip!