Quick trip to OC

[Busdiver]

Hello everyone,

I am a Michigan diver who will be in Newport for business from Wednesday to Sunday. I am hoping to shore dive Thursday after work and Friday after work. I am also hoping to hop a charter to Catalina on Saturday. I will have a business associate from Michigan with me. He is also a diver.

Anyone suggestions on fun shore spots? How about a preferred charter company? Shop to rent tanks? We probably will bring our gear with us (you never know when or where a dive may break out).

Thanks,

Jamie

 

[fnfalman]

If you're at Newport Beach, then Laguna Beach shore dives will be fairly convenient for you. Laguna Sea Sports | Beach Cities Scuba Centers – Your premier Orange County Scuba Diving experience

Laguna Sea Sports is right there at Shaw's Cove. Go rent gears from them, get dudded up and walk to the beach.

Sundiver Express - Trip Schedule Also, the Sundiver Charter has the Sundiver Express boat to make a 2-dives run in the morning of Saturday. That way you can squeeze in two dives and have plenty of time to desaturate nitrogen until Sunday's flying out.

 

[keithbt]

If you have never dove Laguna , Shaws cove or Crescent Bay should be the top of your shore diving list. and I agree with everything Fnfalman says.....

 

[Busdiver]

Thanks for the advice. Is there a "better time" to dive during the day? I am going to call Laguna Sea Sports tomorrow to discuss gear and diving the area. We are both psyched about getting out there.

 

[fnfalman]

First thing in the morning is always best. Best parking available, cooler air temp.

 

[geoff w]

If you're doing shore dives, check the surf forecast in advance so you can plan accordingly. 5 day surf forecast around Newport Beach is at North Orange County Surf Spots and Breaks | SURFLINE.COM One forecast I saw said "we could see a small pulse of steeply angled, short to mid period SSE (150-160) tropical swell move into select SoCal areas (mainly Orange County, especially North OC, and Southern Ventura/Northern LA) around the second half of next week, Wednesday through Friday"

Depending on how much or little you want to dive, and whether you want to play tourist on the side, the marine park at Casino Point is another option. Diver friends visiting us in August who usually dive the Red Sea thoroughly loved Casino Point, especially spending most of one dive with a giant black sea bass. Shore diving at Casino Point usually works out to being at least as expensive as a dive boat, but is a totally different experience

 

[Busdiver]

Geoff W thanks for the suggestion and info. We are slated to dive with the Riviera on Saturday afternoon. If two spots open in the morning then we will double dip on Saturday with the Riviera. If not we will be looking for shore dives for Saturday morning. We will be diving Shaws (if possible) on Friday starting around 3 pm. Looking forward to getting wet in California.

 

[geoff w]

... Looking forward to getting wet in California.

The water right now is about as warm as it gets here You should have some spectacular So Cal dives!