Showing 73–81 of 81
Continued from the California, United States dive sites guide, which covers seasonality and planning details.
California · 4.6–36.6 m
A guano-capped pinnacle about two miles off Isthmus Cove at Catalina that resembles a ship under sail, rising from deep water to break the surface. Boulder slopes and kelp-covered reef descend from 15 ft to sand at 120+ ft at the base, with structure continuing far deeper for technical divers. It is one of Catalina's signature boat dives, with abundant lobster, schooling blacksmith and frequent sea lion fly-bys.
California · 3–15.2 m
A sheltered cove on Carmel Bay below the Pebble Beach golf links, accessed through the private Beach & Tennis Club. Usually in the lee of the prevailing northwest wind, it offers calm granite reefs, shallow canyons and kelp in 10-50 feet, with most reef at 25-30 feet. Access is tightly controlled: a 17-Mile Drive gate fee, diving limited to 10 divers per day on the beach east of the pier, daylight hours only, and beach parking reservable through the harbormaster.
California · 3–12.2 m
Shallow boulder and rockpile site off the southeast side of remote Santa Barbara Island, the smallest of the Channel Islands and reachable only by long-range dive boat. The terrain itself is modest (10-40 ft, often surgy), but the site fronts one of California's largest California sea lion colonies, making it one of the best places anywhere to dive with swarms of playful sea lions. Portions of the island's waters fall within state marine reserves; check current MPA boundaries before taking game.
California · Up to 13.4 m
Artificial reef built from Quarry Rock, Cocnrete Dock Floats
California · 18–30 m
Train Wheels is a quirky Point Loma boat dive where two full-sized sets of train wheels on their axles rest in a rocky slot canyon at about 95-100 feet, possibly dumped as ship ballast or during a Navy exercise. The surrounding terrain sits within one of Southern California's largest and healthiest kelp forests, with prime diving between 60 and 80 feet along ledges and canyon walls. Reliable macro life - especially nudibranchs - and dramatic kelp seascapes make it a favorite with photographers; tidal currents are common.
California · 4.6–30.5 m
Sandy-beach shore dive just south of the Redondo Beach Pier where a gently sloping bottom drops into the head of Redondo Submarine Canyon, which begins around 50 ft and plunges past recreational limits. A short surface swim reaches 60-100 ft, making it a popular deep-training and night-dive site, with a noticeable thermocline around 40 ft. Local clubs dive it on Wednesday nights and classes run most weekends.