Scuba Diving in California, United States

81 mapped sites

Best dive sites in California, United States

Showing 37–48 of 81

Enterprise Cannery

California · 4.6–19.8 m

A shore dive off the north end of San Carlos Beach at the foot of Reeside Avenue, where the remains of Cannery Row's sardine industry — including a large submerged pipe once used to transfer sardines from boats to the canneries — now serve as a navigation line across a rock-and-sand patch reef. The rocky reef supports one of the thickest remaining giant kelp beds in Monterey, and the pipe leads seaward to rock piles and the famous Metridium Fields of giant plumose anemones at about 65 ft. Protected, easy entry and abundant macro life make it a favorite relaxed dive and training area inside the Ed Ricketts State Marine Conservation Area (no take).

Shore entry

Oceanside 2 Center

California · Up to 21.9 m

Artificial reef built from Quarry Rock

IntermediateBoat entry

Emerald Bay Maritime Heritage Trail - Barge Site

California · 3–12.2 m

The Historic Barge Site is the anchor of the Emerald Bay Maritime Heritage Trail, California's first underwater maritime heritage trail, opened by California State Parks in October 2018 within the Emerald Bay State Park underwater area (designated 1994). Two massive Ponderosa-pine lumber barges — once towed by steamers to haul cordwood and ferry cars — rest in about 10-40 ft of water off the bay's southeastern shore, the more intact southern barge measuring over 100 ft long, alongside a historic resort-era dump site. The collection is part of the largest, most diverse group of sunken small watercraft in their original location known in the nation; all artifacts are protected by state law. Access is advised by boat due to the remote location, and the over-6,000 ft altitude plus year-round frigid water demand proper planning.

Shore + boat

Diving Area

California · 4.6–24.4 m

The designated diving area of Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, comprising Whalers Cove and Bluefish Cove south of Carmel — widely regarded as the best diving in the Monterey area. The reserve has been fully protected for decades, so fish are large and unafraid, kelp forests are pristine, and access is capped at ten buddy teams per day via a State Parks reservation system. Entry is an easy concrete boat ramp into sheltered Whalers Cove (15-80 ft), with more dramatic walls and pinnacles in Bluefish Cove reachable by long swim, kayak, or small boat.

IntermediateShore entry

Malibu Center

California · Up to 18.3 m

Artificial reef built from Quarry Rock, Concrete Shelter, Car Bodies, Streetcar

IntermediateBoat entry

San Clemente

California · Up to 0 m

San Clemente is a dive site in United States. The site is reached by boat. Rated beginner based on available data.

Boat entry

Point Loma Kelp Beds

California · 12.2–30.5 m

One of the largest and healthiest giant kelp forests in Southern California, stretching along roughly six miles of the Point Loma peninsula's outer coast and reachable only by boat (about 25 minutes from Mission Bay marinas). More than 20 named spots - including New Hope Rock, Six Fathoms and Horsehead Reef - feature boulder reefs, ledges and overhangs in 40-70 ft, with the deeper 'ancient cliffs' zone dropping to about 100 ft beyond the kelp line.

IntermediateBoat entry

Children's Pool (Casa Cove)

California · 6.1–10.7 m

A shallow rocky-reef shore dive off the seawall-protected beach in La Jolla, with depths around 30 feet and an easy entry aided by the wall's sheltered pool. Famous for its resident seal colony; the beach is closed to public access during the winter-to-spring seal pupping season, and surge over the reefs demands calm conditions.

IntermediateShore entry

Cuba Verified

California · 8–20 m

Historic passenger-cargo steamer wreck off Point Bennett, San Miguel Island. NOAA/NPS and NOAA-authored dive writing confirm underwater remnants and diver interest, with machinery and organized wreckage remaining in a swell-exposed sanctuary setting. This should be treated as a cold-water boat wreck for capable divers, not a casual shore site.

AdvancedBoat entry

Oceanside 1 Center

California · Up to 30.5 m

Artificial reef built from Quarry Rock, Concrete Dock Floats

AdvancedBoat entry

Ruby E Wreck (Wreck Alley)

California · 15.2–25.9 m

A 165-ft former US Coast Guard cutter (originally the Cyane, built 1934) intentionally sunk in 1989 as part of San Diego's Wreck Alley artificial reef, about two miles off the Mission Beach jetty. She sits upright and largely intact on sand at about 85 ft, with the superstructure starting near 50 ft, and is carpeted in pink and purple strawberry (corynactis) anemones. Most areas of the wreck except the bilge are accessible to trained divers, and the site is usually marked with a buoy.

AdvancedBoat entry

Diver's Cove

California · 3–12.2 m

Small, protected sandy cove off Cliff Drive in Laguna Beach with a series of mini-reefs beginning almost immediately offshore in 10-35 ft of water. It is one of Orange County's most heavily used open-water training beaches and can be combined with adjacent Fisherman's Cove as a loop dive. The cove sits inside the no-take Laguna Beach State Marine Reserve.

Shore entry