Dive sites in California

Abalone Cove LA County, USA

invertebrates, sheepshead

Emerald bay El Dorado County, USA

An interesting fresh water altitude dive with excellent visability, there is not much marine life, though the underwater forest is great to see.

Rubicon Point El Dorado County, USA

This is an interesting fresh water altitude dive with not much marine life, just the occasional lake trout. The things to be careful of here is the depth, the cliff runs from above the water line to an amazing 1500+ feet..

Arch Reef LA County, USA

Lobster, abalone pelagics and big fish

Archery Range LA County, USA

Access from shore involse a car shuttle and a long hike down a gated dirt road. The diving is shallow with little to no visibility, but when the vis is good you will find fish and nudibranchs galore. Hopkin's Rose nudis are on nearly every rock in 5-10 feet of water.

Begg Rock LA County, USA

Giant Scallops. Pelagics

Ben Weston Point LA County, USA

Great night diving for lobster

Big Geiger Cove LA County, USA

Sandy bottom and kelp in the rocks

Binnacle Rock LA County, USA

Normally a follow up from Church Rock

Bird Rock Wall LA County, USA

Bishop Rock LA County, USA

Great spot for Lobster and big fish. pelagics

Black Point LA County, USA

Kelp, sand and all the fish you want

Blue Cavern LA County, USA

Blue cavern is a fantastic wide-angle photography site.

Bull City LA County, USA

Cabrillo Beach LA County, USA

Although the visibility is usually poor here, at times it can be good enough to have a great dive. It is the easiest access in Los Angeles county. Little to no surf, packed sand and the reef begins a short distance from shore. Showers and restrooms are right next to the sand. The Cabrillo Marine…

Cape Cortes LA County, USA

Rays, kelp, gorgonians, Horn Sharks

Casino Point LA County, USA

Casino Point is one of the most popular dive sites in California and deservingly so.The city of Avalon has done a great job making the city and Dive Sites very Diver friendly.The Dive Site itself is easily accessible via the stairway leading directly into the water from the walkway.Once in the…

Castle Rock LA County, USA

Caves and kelp forrests. Lobsters and pelagics

Cat Canyon LA County, USA

Great dive with sea lions

Cherry Cove LA County, USA

Reef inside Ismus good for fish and some small sharks on sandy bottom some Kelp

China Point LA County, USA

Rocky with kelp and sea Lions

Christmas Tree Cove LA County, USA

Steep hike over slippery sand, then entry over shallow, slippery rocks. There is nice snorkeling available along the shoreline and a small kelp forest in the middle of the cove. The best diving is on the reef beyond the cove. The high spot breaks the surface at low tide. Follow this reef south and…

Church Rock LA County, USA

Kelp and a lot of fish. Some Abalone

Coral Gardens LA County, USA

Great spot for Purple Coral in abundance. Kelp forrest

Cortez Bank LA County, USA

One of the best sites in California. Big Halibut lay in the few sandy spots. Big lobsters crawl at night. Pelagics can be seen.

Cove Point LA County, USA

Sea Lions, lobsters and sheepshead and some barracuda

Crane Point LA County, USA

Lobsters and Kelp with Calico Bass and Garabaldi

Dockweiler Beach State Park LA County, USA

Sand with Halibut and Rays. Some crabs

Doctors Cove LA County, USA

Rays in the sand and some Halibut

Eagle Reef LA County, USA

White Abalone over 90 feet. Harbor seals. Garaboldi and sheepshead

Eagle Rock LA County, USA

Kelp, big fish, sea lions and lobster

East End LA County, USA

Big Halibut in the sand, rays and sand sharks

East End Eagle Reef LA County, USA

White Abalone below 90 feet

Eel Cove LA County, USA

Kelp around the rocks and a few fish

Eel Point LA County, USA

Lobsters and big fish

Eel Point Reef LA County, USA

Kelp and rocks. Barracuda, sheepshead and bass of all size

Emerald Bay LA County, USA

Farnsworth Bank LA County, USA

Great reef dive, purple coral and many fish

Fish Hook LA County, USA

Kelp, sharks, Abalone and lobsters

Fishermans Cove LA County, USA

This site is in a State of California Marine Reserve, anchoring is prohibited and ALL marine life is protected. Dives in the cove range from 30M+ walls to 3M rocky reefs. The cove is managed for the state by the USC/Wrigley Marine Science Center. It is heavily instrumented, with numerous scientific…

Fourth of July Cove LA County, USA

Sandy bottom with halibut and Rays

Frog Rock LA County, USA

Kelp with Sheepshead and Garaboldi fish

Gallagher Beach LA County, USA

Kelp with Callico bass and Garabaldi, some other fish

Garibaldi Reef LA County, USA

Goat Harbor LA County, USA

Sandy cove with night time lobsters marching by. Halibut and rays in the sand

Harbor Reefs LA County, USA

Calm spot inside Ismus Cove with kelp and fish. I found an old anchor there but ran out of air and tanks and could not get it...

Hen Rock LA County, USA

Dive Hen Rockock with its rock formations and kelp forest. Great lobster hunting in season.

Iron Bound Cove LA County, USA

Kelp, sea lions and Harbor seals with many fish

Italian Gardens LA County, USA

This dive site is a large boulder-strewn area surrounded by sand. Great for Lobstering. Home to a large population of Giant Sea Bass.

Jewfish Point LA County, USA

Gariboldi, Octopus and lobsters in the rocks

Johnsons Rock LA County, USA

Kelp forrests and sharks

Kelp Point LA County, USA

Kelp sea Lions and occasional pelagics. Abalone and lobster

Kinton Point LA County, USA

Kelp. Pelagics. Sea Lions

Lions Head LA County, USA

Kelp and Kelp fishes, Garaboldi

Little Farnsworth LA County, USA

Little Geiger Cove LA County, USA

Big Sea Bass between here and Eagle Reef (out front)

Little Gibraltar LA County, USA

Kelp and reef fish Girabaldi. Rays in the sand. Abalone and some lobsters in rocky areas

Lobster Bay LA County, USA

Kelp and fish.

Long Beach Breakwater LA County, USA

Lobsters some crab and small fish. Kelp at the top of the breakwall, deep silt at the bottom. Recommended that you leave someone onboard the boat while diving, as the silt doesn't hold the anchor in moderate wind. Dive flag required due to heavy boat traffic. The Los Angeles Federal breakwater at…

Long Point LA County, USA

Multi-level dive site including several type of dive: Cave, Wall, etc. Snorkeling area is to the East.

Malaga cove LA County, USA

Marineland LA County, USA

Rocky entry exit/entry with three distinct dive areas. The near shore reef, known as the Garden is shallow with kelp, sand and the usual reef animals. The 120 Reef is located 120 degrees from the beach. It has more sponges and fish than the Garden and is a relatively short swim from shore. It is a…

Moonstone Cove LA County, USA

Sandy bottom with Horn Sharks, shovel nose sharks and rays in the sand

Nicholas Canyon LA County, USA

Nicholas Canyon is a great location for naturalists and photographers skilled at making entrances in less than favorable conditions.The main diving locations at Nicholas Canyon are the kelp paddies in front of the lifeguard tower and to the right of the lifeguard tower.The ecosystem at Nicholas…

Nine Fathom Bank LA County, USA

Big Lobsters and sheepshead

Oil Rig Edith LA County, USA

Ling Cod, scallops, sea lions and much more

Oil Rig Eureka LA County, USA

Sharks and sea lions some big fish

Oil Rigs Elly-Ellen LA County, USA

anemones and Sea Lions

Osborn Bank LA County, USA

purple hydrocoral, pelagics

Palawan LA County, USA

Please visit the California Wreck Divers info page:http://www.cawreckdivers.org/Wrecks/Palawan.htmfor site information.

Paradise Cove LA County, USA

Beautiful Cove for lunch off gassing between dives with kelp and a lot of small fish

Pebbly Beach LA County, USA

Mantis shrimp can be found here!

Pirate's Cove LA County, USA

Horn sharks, Garaboldi and Halibut in the sand

Point Dume LA County, USA

Pt. Vicente Pinnacles LA County, USA

Pinnacles rising from the depths up to just a few feet below the surface. Invertebrates everywhere. Pelagics occur often. I've seen two Thresher sharks here.

Pyramid Cove LA County, USA

Pretty reef with sandy areas.

Ribbon Rock LA County, USA

Sheepshead, garaboldi pelagics, sea bass

Rippers Cove LA County, USA

Kelp forrests make home for many beautiful fish.

Rock Quarry LA County, USA

Kelp with Calico Bass and Garabaldi. Rays in the sand

San Clemente North LA County, USA

Kelp and Kelp fish

San Nicholas Island LA County, USA

Great spot for Lobsters and Fish

Sea Fan Grottos LA County, USA

gorgonians and kelp with Calico bass Garabaldi and others. occasional Sea Lions.

Seal Cove LA County, USA

Purple Coral and kelp forrest with Sea Lions

Seal Point LA County, USA

Barracuda and an occasional White Sea Bass. Garibaldi and Calico Bass

Seal Rocks LA County, USA

annenomes sand and kelp

Sentinel Point LA County, USA

Kelp and sank. some pelagics. Lobster

Shag Rock LA County, USA

Sea Lions everywhere. fish when the sea lions are missing

Ship Rock LA County, USA

Kelp, Sea Lions, fish

Stony Point LA County, USA

Kelp, Garabaldi, big sea Bass, nudibranchs and rays in the sand

Suejac Wreck LA County, USA

54' Gaff-rigged schooner. Sunk November 14,1980.

Sutil Island LA County, USA

Sea Lions, kelp and fish, a beautiful place to dive

Tanner Bank LA County, USA

Big Sheepshead and lobstewrs. Black seabass and sea lions

The Palisades LA County, USA

Pelagics and big fish

the Rookery LA County, USA

Sea Lions everywhere

Torqua Springs LA County, USA

Best is shallower than 40 feet. Dive thru the kelp forest, and look for lobsters (there are many everywhere !).

Twin Rocks LA County, USA

Kelp and associated fish. Can have good current. Sand has rays.

Underwater Arch LA County, USA

Under water arch large enough to drive a car through. The reef is coverd with sponges, nudibranchs and scallops.

USS John C. Butler LA County, USA

Last 75 feet (stern) of the 306 foot destroyer escort depth charge racks on the rear, sunk as a target ship.She received five battle stars for World War II service. When I first dove her this section was intact but Navy Seals have blown much of her up

Valiant Wreck LA County, USA

164 foot motor yacht exploded and sank off Descanso Beach, in December 1930. She is listing to Port in 110 feet of sea water.

Veteran's Park LA County, USA

Swim straight out from the stairs near the restrooms until you are parallel to the end of the pier. Dropping down here will put you within just a few kicks of the drop-off. About 100 feet north of the stairs in 45 feet is an area known as the Salad Bowl. There is kelp and detritus where you can find…

White Cove LA County, USA

Sand and rocky bottom. Halibut and rays in the sand with lobsters in the rocks.

White Point LA County, USA

The Big Attraction here is the Warm Water Vents in the Shallows. About 50 Yards out you'll find areas with almost no growth and a mixed White and Black Sandy Bottom.You may see "Murky Water" in these areas as well.If so, you're over the vents - Try taking your Gloves off and putting them in the…

Willow Cove LA County, USA

Sandy bottom with small sharks and some lobster. Various shrimp in the rocks after dark

Wilson Cove LA County, USA

Sandy bottom and kelp in rocks. Calico bass and Garaboldi. Lobsters

Yellowtail Point LA County, USA

White Seabass, Barracuda. Kerlp with Calico Bass

Little River Mendocino, USA

Plenty of kelp so keep to the open paths to find the depth you are looking for.This is one of Mendocino County's best spots for abalone diving.Be sure to check the current regulations on ab harvesting to avoid fines from the strict enforcement by the good people at the Department of Fish and…

Van Damn State Beach Mendocino, USA

This is fabulous dive site for beginners and well as advanced divers. The cove faces South so it is generally protected from the Northwest swells that dominate the area, the outer reef also breaks up lots of wave energy before it gets into the cove. The wall on the far North side is beautiful dive,…

Breakwater Monterrey, USA

Butterfly House Monterrey, USA

Coast Guard Pier Monterrey, USA

The main attraction of this dive is to dive the kelp forest on the outside of the pier.It was absolutely magical (sort of like experiencing Redwood forest in 3D), with the sunlight filtering down through the kelp. We also so lots of rockfish, crabs, empty abalones, and a single shy harborseal.The…

Coral Street Monterrey, USA

Entry can be tricky at low tide, with exposed shallow rocks and abundance of kelp and sea grasses. Once in deeper water you will find a large kelp forest fringing sand channels and walls and pinnacles. Look for remnants of John Denver's airplane.

Cypress Point Monterrey, USA

Sea Otters and other fishes

Lover's Point Monterrey, USA

McAbee Monterrey, USA

Monastery Beach Monterrey, USA

Point Lobos Monterrey, USA

This is a brilliant spot for kelp diving! Lots of fish and the brilliant light shining through the long green hydrophytes offers lots of phantastic scenes for photographers.But the highlight is definitely the seals (and sometimes puppies) often seen there - when you're lucky! But of course: don't…

Aliso Orange County, USA

Saw a lot of interesting things.

Bird Rock Orange County, USA

Invertebrates, Garaboldi Sheepshead, sea Stars

Bourgeoisie Cove Orange County, USA

Cleo Street Barge Orange County, USA

old barge that sunk in the 40 or 50...good photo opps.

Crescent Cove Orange County, USA

Great reef and tide pool when waves are low. Added point of interest is Seal Rock, just west of the reef. Here many Harbor seals can be observed sunning themselves, and if your lucky, you may have find some playful seal waiting below the surface. A favorite dive.

Dead Man's Reef Orange County, USA

Watch for boat traffic in the area.

Diver's Cove Orange County, USA

Student dive spot: Sand and rock bottom with Moray eels, Lobsters...Best diving is on the outer edge of the reef between Diver's Cove and Boat Canyon. Cracks in the reef go deep in the rock, some as wide as four feet and as high as fifteen feet. Harbor seals frequently play in these channels.

Fisherman's Cove Orange County, USA

Horse Pastures Orange County, USA

Great spot for fish with Lobster deeper

Laguna Beach Orange County, USA

Sandy bottom with Rays and sand sharks

Monument Point Orange County, USA

nudibranchs, Garibaldi, sheepshead and Sea Lions

Picnic Beach Orange County, USA

Mostly dive training

Rock Pile Orange County, USA

Sea lions, Nudibranchs, sea Stars

San Juan Rocks Orange County, USA

Calico bass some kelp and halibut in the sand with rays.

Shaws Cove Orange County, USA

Woods Cove Orange County, USA

Be aware of the swell/waves.

Arch Rock Cove Santa Barbara, USA

Bechers Cove Santa Barbara, USA

Scallops and fish with kelp

Bee Rock Santa Barbara, USA

Kelp, calico bass, sheepheads, Gariboldi, lingcod, abalone, nudibranchs and sea Lions

Biltmore Santa Barbara, USA

Several low reefs off the beach provide habitat for fish and footing for kelp. Occasionally you'll see horn sharks on the sand.

Black Point Santa Barbara, USA

Kelp, Calico Bass, Garaboldi, Ling Cod and sheepshead

Bowen Point Santa Barbara, USA

Lobsters in the rocks and abalone. Ling Cod.

Castle Rock Santa Barbara, USA

Big scallops and lots of stuff on and in the rocks

Coal oil point Santa Barbara, USA

Coral Reef Santa Barbara, USA

East Point Santa Barbara, USA

Sea lions, Sheepshead, Calico bass, Horn sharks and Pelagics

Ford Point Santa Barbara, USA

Kelp, Abalone halibut and rays in the sand

Forney Cove Santa Barbara, USA

Kelp and reef fish, Calico Bass, Halibut sand sharks and more.

Gull Island Santa Barbara, USA

Sea Lions, Sheepshead, Garaboldi and Calico Bass

Landing cove Santa Barbara, USA

Landing Cove on Anacapa is one of the oldest marine reserves in Southern California.It has a lot of giant kelp, and lots of big friendly fish and lobsters.The sheephead get big!You may also spot octopi.Green morays occasionally pop up.In spring, look for schools of kelp bass with golden faces: this…

Mesa Santa Barbara, USA

Cool reef overhangs, fish in the kelp beds... Great place for a summer-time free dive.

Morse Point Santa Barbara, USA

Kelp and sand. Calico Bass, Garaboldi, Barracuda and Sea Lions

Net Reef Santa Barbara, USA

Rocky reefs covered by Gorgonians, brittle stars and nudibranchs.

Painted cave Santa Barbara, USA

Sea Lions around the entrance and in the inner chamber. Take a light. It is dark in there and the noise of the Sea Lions is deafening.

Pelican Bay Santa Barbara, USA

Halibut in the sand and Abalone in the rocy areas. Sea Lions sometimes.

Pinnacles Santa Barbara, USA

Abalone, Scallops and sea lions

Point Bennett Santa Barbara, USA

seals and sea lions

Prince Island Santa Barbara, USA

Sea Lions, Kelp and Fish

Punta Arena Santa Barbara, USA

Nudibranchs, Octopus and Sea Lions

Rat Rock Santa Barbara, USA

The wall on the point at the West End of Anacapa has a lot of kelp and invertebrates. Occasionally you'll encounter friendly harbor seals or sea lions. As you head to the West, off the end of the island, depth and current increase.

Refugio Santa Barbara, USA

It is truly great. Tgher are many fish and the marine life in the kelp is great.

Scorpion Anchorage Santa Barbara, USA

Skunk Bay Santa Barbara, USA

Scallops and lots of fish

South Point Santa Barbara, USA

Abalone, garaboldi, horn sharks, sea lions

Tajiguas Santa Barbara, USA

Directly off the beach are large sand flats. Look for pipefish and (at night) cusk-eels.A short underwater swim to the right are low rocky reefs and shelfs.Giant kelp and gorgonians are plentiful.Occasionally you'll spot abalone, giant sea bass, and maybe a cormorant.

Talcott Shoal Santa Barbara, USA

Big Lobsters, Sea Lions some pelagics

USS Peacock Wreck Santa Barbara, USA

USS Peacock is a 100' long wood hulled WW-II minesweeper. It sits in 60 ' of water on a sandy floor. It possibly sunk in December 1979.

Wilson Rock Santa Barbara, USA

big scallops and lots of stuff on the rocks

Wyckoff Ledge Santa Barbara, USA

Lobster, Sea Lions and big fish

La Jolla Cove San Diego, USA

The Cove is a rocky reef with an abundance of sea life (Garibaldi, Sea Lions, invertebrates and kelp).One of the most famous dive area of La Jolla. Don't miss it!

La Jolla Shores San Diego, USA

Most diving is made from directly in front of the restrooms at Vallecitos or in front of the Marine Room restaurant to the south. Entry is easy, even in large surf but the swim to the edge of the canyon is long. Once in the canyon, you have several options. Vallecitos Point offers vertical walls…

Missile Tower San Diego, USA

This is a former Trident Missile launching platform for the US Navy.

NOSC Tower Wreck San Diego, USA

Those who have dived on the oil platforms know of the abundance of marine life that clings to the vertical steel members. And wreck divers know also how those hard metal surfaces attract much of the same kind of wonderful marine growth?thick, lush, vibrant and colorful. Wrecks and towers make for a…

Point Loma San Diego, USA

Kelp diving with a lot of fish

Ruby E. Wreck San Diego, USA

The Ruby E. sunk June 18, 1989 (intentional sinking for use as an artificial reef). It sits upright and intact on a sandy bottom, 90ft deep.Vessel size:- Length: 165'- Breadth: 38'- Tons: 150

The Cave San Diego, USA

Yukon Wreck San Diego, USA

Yukon wreck is a 110m (366 ft) long Canadian Mackenzie class destroyer. It sunk July 14, 2000.Vessel site:- Length: 366'- Breadth: 42'- Tons: 2,380- Built: Launched july 27, 1961 (by Burrard Dry Dock & Shipbuilding)The ship lays on a sandy floor, on her side.WARNING: Be absolutely sure you know what…

Cordell Bank San Francisco, USA

invertebrates, strawberry anemones, hydrocorals, songes, yellow hydroids, Big sharks

Fanny Shoal San Francisco, USA

Hydrocorals, ling Cod many big fish Krill

Hurst Shoal San Francisco, USA

Krill and Plankton and many fish eating them. Whales

Isle of Saint James San Francisco, USA

beautiful Hydrocorals, Ling Cod, Rockfish, invertebrates

Maintop Island San Francisco, USA

Big animals eating Krill and Plankton. Whales and sharks

Middle Farallon San Francisco, USA

Krill and many types of fish eating them.

Noonday Rock San Francisco, USA

Hydrocorals, Rockfish, Ling Cod. a beautiful spot

Southeast Farallon San Francisco, USA

Great White sharks in the area

Castle Lake Siskiyou County, USA

Cold water lake dive. good for dry suit training

Fort Ross Sonoma, USA

Ocean Cove Sonoma, USA

Salt Point State Park Sonoma, USA

Hunted for Abalone and spear fished outside the reserve area in Gerstle Cove. Gerstle Cove is a favorite dive training location because of the easy access, parking and picnic areas.

Dive in California