Deer Creek Beach

Deer Creek Beach

California Mid, USA West
map
Entry Map
directions
Directions
photos
Photos
Difficulty
Unrated
Viz (last reported 113822h ago)
Max Depth
Unknown

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Deer Creek Beach

This dive site is well off the beaten path, and relatively undisturbed. A reef and some kelp are found close to shore with excellent diving just beyond. Just East of Point Mugu State Park; 3.2 miles West of Mulholland Highway intersection with the Pacific Coast Highway (1); and 18 miles West of Malibu.
Access
shore
entry map
View
Nearby Shops
Tide Report
SC Diving
SC Diving
Camarillo, California
Check Availability
PCH Scuba Inc.
PCH Scuba Inc.
Agoura Hills, California
Check Availability
In 2 Deep, Inc.
In 2 Deep, Inc.
Santa Monica, California
Check Availability
Eco Dive Center
Eco Dive Center
West Los Angeles, California
Check Availability
Dive N' Surf
Dive N' Surf
Redondo Beach, California
Check Availability
Blue Holic Scuba
Blue Holic Scuba
Los Angeles, California
Check Availability
Hollywoodivers
Hollywoodivers
Los Angeles, California
Check Availability
5
4
3
2
1
4.3
(21)
Zentacle
Zentacle
Sep 21, 2021, 1:04 AM
scuba
Coastal access is marked at the intersection. It's an easy jaunt over the edge. You can see where the deeper water begins. Mostly sand, the entry should be easy on a calm day. A rocky point is just down the beach.
5
Anonymous
Anonymous
Dec 19, 2011, 12:00 AM
scuba
Great spot to dive but it has been picked through because there are so many people diving there now. Little do they know I saw a 10' White shark Yesterday on the outer northern reef and one year ago saw 'something' hit a seal about 50 yards out. I have accepted my fate... Good luck diving!
Originally posted on shorediving.com
MIke Hommes
MIke Hommes
Jul 14, 2010, 12:00 AM
scuba
I was there in early July and vis was about 15 feet, 18 to 20 out by the reef. I like to go there a few times a year, but vis is hit or miss depending on the tide, sometimes 10 to 15 ft others 0 to 5ft. Over all pretty good, parking in pretty close, diving spots close too. I've seen Perch, rays, bass Sheephead, seals all sort of stuff and have speared a 48in Halibut there. Also Neptune's Net is just south if you're hungry after your dive. Good Fish and Chips and Clam chowder.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Brian Xavier
Brian Xavier
Jul 3, 2008, 12:00 AM
scuba
Deer Creek is a great dive. The shore break looks enormous, but once you get out past it, the diving is excellent. Vis was low the day I dove it- probably ten feet, but lots of purple urchins, black perch, and some Calico bass. The kelp is way out, so be ready for the kick. Good idea to put fins on after first big wave set. You can take fins off coming in before that same wave set or do the Monastery Crawl onto the beach. This would be a great dive on a high vis day! Be in good shape.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Lynne and John
Lynne and John
Jan 13, 2008, 12:00 AM
scuba
Nice reef with easy access from the road down a short set of stairs. We saw dolphins swimming around the outer edge of the reef and had a sea lion swim with us as we returned to the shore. We saw many calico bass, garibaldi, and two bat rays. Visibility was about 15' with little current and about 2 foot surf at the entry.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
T Sherren
T Sherren
Nov 8, 2007, 12:00 AM
scuba
We had a beautiful night dive here. The ocean was calm, vis 15-20'. Rock fish, crab, but only one lobster (who came home w/me!). It's a peaceful, nice dive when flat.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Rickster
Rickster
Jul 20, 2007, 12:00 AM
scuba
We dived this site July 14th. It was a great dive, good vis and a lot to see. We try to dive here at least every month. If you have not been to Deer Creek, do it.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Mark Conyers
Mark Conyers
Sep 3, 2006, 12:00 AM
scuba
Great night dive. I followed a 4' female Angel Shark around for about 5mins. She swam right up to us in mid-water. Scared up a Spiny Dogfish Shark in shallow water on the way in, big female about 5'. Lots of other fish and crabs. We went in at dusk for a 1 hour dive. Viz was 20' max. 57 degs, 2' swell with some wind chop and surge.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Mark Conyers
Mark Conyers
Jun 11, 2006, 12:00 AM
scuba
Spiny Dogfish Sharks are in. Saw at least 8. All females about 3.5 feet long. 27fsw. Viz opened up to about 10 feet.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Basomatic
Basomatic
Mar 17, 2006, 12:00 AM
scuba
Nice for anyone looking for an easy beach entry. Good reefs to the north and to the south. Reef located about 150 yards off shore for the long swimmer. Note for spear fisherman: there are very good sand patches along the south reef. I caught a 36" 16 pound halibut here!
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Dave George
Dave George
Jan 28, 2006, 12:00 AM
scuba
Jan 28, 2006, about 11 AM. There was an outgoing tide, and the water was 56 degrees with waves and surge. Viz was about 10-15 feet at best. Max depth 24 feet. Lots of stars, two small anemone, several keyhole limpets. Nice dive. Unfortunately, there was a dolphin at the base of the stairs that had its head cut off. Definitely done by a human with a knife. Looks like it was done on the beach, perhaps after the dolphin carcass had washed up on shore. Oh well. Enjoy the diving.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
James Deirmendjian
James Deirmendjian
Jan 13, 2006, 12:00 AM
scuba
It's all about WHEN you go in. Went back a couple of days later, and though the bottom was crap, at some points I could see 20+ feet in front of my face in the kelp. Plenty of kelp crabs everywhere, plenty of jack smelt and shiner surf-perch - no big pelagics or big reef fish, though. A fun, if somewhat skeletal and sparse, dive into the kelp.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
James Deirmendjian
James Deirmendjian
Dec 27, 2005, 12:00 AM
scuba
Just tried to snorkel Deer Creek for the 2nd time. Was disappointed yet again by next to nothing viz. Maybe it's just the winter conditions.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
John Kibler
John Kibler
Apr 18, 2005, 12:00 AM
scuba
Hmmm...Must have caught this site on a very bad day. The surge at the surface didn't look too bad, but the viz turned out to be less than 5 feet. 5-10 other divers were out but they didn't stay long either. On the plus side, we spotted two grey whales heading north just beyond the kelp after we got out.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Anonymous
Anonymous
Mar 19, 2004, 12:00 AM
scuba
Hands down a top ten dive location for Ventura County.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Mark Conyers
Mark Conyers
Apr 1, 2003, 12:00 AM
scuba
Did a night Dive here Sunday and it was Great. Santa Ana winds just died down and Viz was about 35ft. Saw lots of small Lobster, 2 Horn Sharks and a Big Bat Ray. Beach was pretty rocky due to high tide. Surf was low. Water was 55degs.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
James Sperling
James Sperling
Dec 1, 2002, 12:00 AM
scuba
Well this is the last time I'm going to rate this site. If your looking for Lobster you might want to try somewhere else. Night diving here is pretty cool. My brother and I finished our AOW class here and we saw octopus, sell sharks, angel sharks and many more types of fish resting on the reefs.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
James Sperling
James Sperling
Jul 26, 2002, 12:00 AM
scuba
Well it would appear that I'm turning into a dive guide for this location. Deer Creek is ok and the access is easy, but if you really want the pay off you have to go to Staircases which is a much better dive. One thing though, if you are not in shape this dive is not for you. E-mail me for details!!!!
Originally posted on shorediving.com
James Sperling
James Sperling
Jun 30, 2002, 12:00 AM
scuba
Went again Saturday. WOW what a difference the surf was big and the vis was bad. Recommendation: If the surf is up go further south. Visibility was 6ft at best.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
James Sperling
James Sperling
Jun 26, 2002, 12:00 AM
scuba
Went to the real deer creek dive location this time and it was awesome. If you don't have the money for a boat dive this place is worth considering. The visibility currently is about 15 feet. Lots of reefs, fish, and kelp. The entry is much easier than stair cases and Leo Carrillo. I live about 10 minutes away so you might see me there!
Originally posted on shorediving.com
James Sperling
James Sperling
Jun 21, 2002, 12:00 AM
scuba
It's not exactly at Deer Creek. Its called Stair Cases (located 4000 on PCH HWY 1) do to the hike down. Vis was awesome for the area, the dive overall was well worth it!!!!
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Other Locations Nearby