Showing 25–36 of 81
California · 9.1–18.3 m
A field of rocky reefs offshore of Cannery Row covered in giant white plumose anemones (Metridium farcimen), one of Monterey's signature dives. Divers navigate from shore by following a 30-inch steel pipe that runs seaward from the gray pump house to about 40-45 feet, then swim due north roughly 60-100 feet to the main reef. A classic navigation-practice dive over mostly sandy bottom.
California · Up to 12 m
A rocky pinnacle reef in the Point Loma kelp beds peaking within about 20 feet of the surface and dropping toward 40-60 feet on the sand. Boat access only, typically launched from Shelter Island or Mission Bay, with kelp forest, caves, and dense fish and invertebrate life.
California · 7.6–22.9 m
The most popular beach dive in San Diego, where an easy sand entry leads to the rim of the La Jolla submarine canyon. The main wall at Vallecitos Point lies in about 60-70 feet, with deeper sections descending in terraces past 130 feet and beyond recreational limits. Coordinates estimated for the canyon wall just offshore of the named entry point.
California · 3–9.1 m
Shallow historic side-wheel steamer wreck at Middle Anacapa Island, protected within Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and National Park. Divers mainly see machinery/paddle-wheel remnants and growth-covered wreckage in kelp-reef habitat rather than an intact hull. This is a boat dive with cold-water exposure and protected-resource rules.
California · 3–18.3 m
The most popular shore dive in Monterey, located beside the 1,700-foot Coast Guard breakwater built in the 1930s. A gently sloping sandy beach gives one of the most protected entries in the area, leading to a boulder wall encrusted with strawberry anemones, sponges, tunicates and nudibranchs, with a resident sea lion colony at the breakwater tip. Heavily used by training classes; weekend visibility suffers and parking fills early.
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 21 m
A dive site in United States. The site reaches a maximum depth of about 21 m. The site is reached by boat.
California · Up to 15.8 m
A dive site in United States. The site reaches a maximum depth of about 16 m. The site is reached by boat. Rated beginner based on available data.
California · 4.6–15.2 m
Malibu's premier beach dive at the western end of Los Angeles County, with an unusually large kelp forest starting in under 15 ft and substantial reefs, mini-walls and pinnacles extending to about 50 ft. The classic entry is the small cove near lifeguard tower 2, with kelp-covered reef close by on both sides. The reefs are known for an abundance of large octopuses.
California · 3–18.3 m
A classic Catalina boat dive just east of Blue Cavern Point where massive rock slabs form a wide-mouthed cavern in about 25 ft of water, famous for 'hanging gardens' of golden gorgonian sea fans on its ceiling and walls. The cavern extends roughly 20 ft back with a chimney exit rising to 10 ft, and natural light is always visible; kelp reef outside slopes deeper for a longer dive. Lies along the Blue Cavern Onshore SMCA shoreline, so take is prohibited.
California · Up to 15 m
China Cove is a sheltered, sandy day-use beach on the southern shore of Donner Lake inside Donner Memorial State Park near Truckee, and the lake's best-known easy shore dive. The clear, cold cove bottoms out around 40-50 ft with visibility commonly in the 50-60 ft range, making it a relaxed beginner altitude dive with crawfish and trout over sand and granite. Picnic tables, BBQs and seasonal restrooms sit right behind the beach; a state park day-use fee applies.
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.