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



Malaga cove is located in the posh Palos Verdes area.

Palos Verdes Estates

Malaga cove

Former US Navy Landing Craft Mechanical possibly used by Al Kidman to salvage the Dominator wreck. Not much remains of the wreck, but what is there is home to a small collection of marinelife. Octopus, Blacksmith and Giant Sea Bass make the landing craft home.



Landing Craft LCM3

Haggerty's Crane is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in USA, California, LA County, Redondo   Palos Verdes which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Haggerty's Crane

The toughest trail to climb in Palos Verdes with dive gear! Flat Rock is a vast, healthy kelp forest, home to many local species. It is a great night dive for lobster and wonderful photography site during the day, but shore access is not for the faint of heart.



Flat Rock

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



Palawan

269' passenger steam steel ship; sunk september 16th, 1964.

Of Palos Verdes.

S.S. Avalon Wreck

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 dozens of nudibranchs, shrimp, isopods, octopus and many small fish.
At the south end of the beach are submerged pier pilings coverd with anemones and invertebrates.

Located at the intersection of Pearl Street and Esplanade, the parking lot at Veteran's Park has plentiful metered spaces. Stairs to the beach are located at the Southwest end of the lot.

Veteran's Park

Surplus US Navy barge added to the artificial reef in 1974. Gorgonians, simnia snails and a few nudibranchs on the barge, but the big attraction here is the ever-present sea lions.



Redondo Beach Artificial Reef is also known as Redondo Barge.

Redondo Beach Artificial Reef

From outside of the heavy kelp canopy anchor west or northwest of the point. Reefs are rocky shelved and gradually flat, filled with fish and crustaceans in certain times of the year. The wreck SS Dominator grounded in heavy fog March 13 1961 having no modern navigation equipment and getting stranded on the reef, carrying 10,000+ tons of wheat and beef, heavy surf, wind and high tide prevented it's recovery. 2 days of trying the crew abandoned ship  It was a WWII Liberty Ship 441 ft long by 57 feet wide. As of now the wreckage is almost gone by eroding forces and salvage. Under water there are only traces of metal scattered. Sections of bilge room may still be found. The overall area is excellent diving, thick kelp forests.  

long and I mean real long hike over steep rock cliffs make this an excellent boat dive. Coming from Marina Del Rey it's about 13 miles and from San Pedro it's 13-14 miles. The closest is Redondo Beach's Kings Harbour at 5 miles (it only has a hoist there for private non resident boat entries.)The spot is basically around Rocky Point. 

S.S. Dominator is also known as Rocky Point Palos Verdes.

S.S. Dominator

Easy entry/exit in high tides, outgoing tides bring shallow slippery rocks to cross. Viz is excellent at times up to 40ft. Shallow over-all cove, reaching to only 40ft deep in the farther reaches of the kelp. Boat traffic can be close to the outer kelp so be careful there! Lots of marine life! 

One cove south of Lanuda Bay, in Palos Verdes, watch the hike down as it is steep, and yet soft in spots and like walking on marbles in others. 7mins down. 3 anchor points to attach a line to, sometimes a line is at the bottom. Balance is a good thing to have, sure footing! 

Honeymoon cove

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 you will find overhangs, walls, lobsters, sponges, fish and nudibranchs. The east side of the reef has vertical walls as high as fifteen feet. The reef continues to eighty feet where it ends at the sand.

Located in the posh Palos Verdes area, grab your street map and follow along:  From the Pacific Coast Highway, head South on Palos Verdes Blvd for 1.4 miles.  Turn right on Palos Verdes Drive West.   In 3.8 miles, turn right on Paseo Lunado which becomes Paseo Del Mar.  You'll see the park on your right.

Malaga cove

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Malaga cove