California has three beautiful diving regions.

The North coast region is renowned for lush, moist forests of the world's tallest trees, coastal bluffs, secluded coves and wildlife areas. From the pristine beaches and coves of Carmel by the Sea and Monterey Bay, the coastline includes numerous dive locations North of San Francisco, all the way to Mendocino and Crescent City. Each site offers its unique underwater topography and associated marine life.

The California mid region includes diving locations from South of Pt. Lobos State Park (Carmel by the Sea) to Laguna Beach. This long stretch of beautiful beaches can be categorized as open-water diving, with some protected coves and inlets. Capitalizing on optimal weather as well as observing tides and current conditions are crucial to an enjoyable dive experience.

The California South listings include the greater San Diego area (Pt. Loma North to La Jolla) continuing up through Orange County to Laguna Beach. Each ShoreDiving location has unique conditions -- and beauty!

As always, check with your local resources for exact local conditions for the ultimate safe and rewarding dive experience.

California

Los Angeles County

Divers will travel far and wide to find the best diving. But those who live in the United States have plenty of great diving on their doorstep as well, with plentiful access to the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. From warm-water reefs to temperate seas, here are some of the top places to scuba dive in the United States.

United States

Blue cavern is a fantastic wide-angle photography site.

Blue Cavern point is located in a marine sanctuary (anchoring is prohibited). It is just S of Bird Rock, along the coastline toward Two Harbors

Blue Cavern is also known as Blue Cavern Point, Blue Caverns, Blue Caverns Point.

Two Harbors

Blue Cavern

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



Sea Fan Grottos

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 experiments anchored to the bottom. Please don't disturb!

Sandy bottom Halibut, Rays and sand sharks

Western Side of Ismus Cove

Fishermans Cove is also known as Fisherman's Cove.

Fishermans Cove

Lobsters and Kelp with Calico Bass and Garabaldi

Just West of Ismus Cove

Crane Point



Off NW corner of Bird Rock. Located in Isthmus Cove on the frontside of Catalina Island.

Bird Rock Wall

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...

Southwest of Bird Rock

Harbor Reefs

Kelp with Calico Bass and Garabaldi. Rays in the sand

Rock Quarry


Rock Quarry

Sandy bottom with halibut and Rays

Northwestern side of Ismus Cove

Fourth of July Cove

Kelp, Sea Lions, fish

Just North of Ismus Cove Western catalina Island

Ship Rock

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

Western Side of Ismus Cove, West End Catalina Island

Cherry Cove

Kelp and Kelp fishes, Garaboldi

Western side of Ismus Cove

Lions Head is also known as Lion Head.

Lions Head

Two Harbors Dive & Recreation Center is a scuba dive shop based in Catalina Island, United States. They are a PADI certified dive shopand offer a variety of dive and snorkel related services, gear, and guided tours.

Two Harbors Dive & Recreation Center

Catalina Divers Supply is a scuba dive shop based in Avalon, United States. They are a PADI certified dive shopand offer a variety of dive and snorkel related services, gear, and guided tours.

Catalina Divers Supply

Dive N' Surf is a scuba dive shop based in Redondo Beach, United States. They are a PADI certified dive shopand offer a variety of dive and snorkel related services, gear, and guided tours.

Dive N' Surf

Deep Blue Scuba & Swim Center is a scuba dive shop based in Long Beach, United States. They are a PADI certified dive shopand offer a variety of dive and snorkel related services, gear, and guided tours.

Deep Blue Scuba & Swim Center

Ocean Gear Scuba Center is a scuba dive shop based in Huntington Beach, United States. They are a PADI certified dive shopand offer a variety of dive and snorkel related services, gear, and guided tours.

Ocean Gear Scuba Center

Beach Cities Scuba Centers are the largest independent full-service dive centers in Orange County. We offer all levels of scuba dive training and services from instruction and rentals to repairs and travel. Visit any of our five locations and you’ll appreciate the difference of a professional dive center with experienced staff. Or join us on our dive boat, The Riviera - a 40ft, Coast Guard certified vessel serving divers, snorkelers, underwater hunters, photographers and private charters.

Beach Cities Scuba Center

Scuba.com is owned and operated by scuba diving instructors who have served the needs of scuba divers for over 25 years. Our dive center has been featured in magazines, newspapers and on television. Our website offers 30,000 scuba gear & snorkeling items from every major scuba brand. 
When you shop with us, your satisfaction is guaranteed. Our scuba diving instructors assemble your scuba gear before delivering it to you. We also perform repairs in our diving service and scuba repair facility & offer diving classes from our Irvine location in Southern California. 
We have supplied the scuba diving equipment needs of scuba lab, NASA, CBS News, O'Neill, NASCAR, many national and international aquariums and even the White House.

Scuba.com

Beach Cities Scuba Toys

Dive and Photo is a scuba dive shop based in Costa Mesa, United States. They are a PADI certified dive shopand offer a variety of dive and snorkel related services, gear, and guided tours.

Blue Cavern

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Blue Cavern