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

Gariboldi, Octopus and lobsters in the rocks

South of Avalon

Avalon

Jewfish Point



East end of Catalina Island, just north of Seal Rocks

Garibaldi Reef

Seal Rocks



SE of Avalon

Little Farnsworth is also known as Pinnacle Rock.

Little Farnsworth

Kelp and a lot of fish. Some Abalone

South of Avalon

Church Rock

Normally a follow up from Church Rock

South of Avalon

Binnacle Rock

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

Eastern side of Catalina, immediately outside of Avalon Harbor in front of the Casino. Anchor to the eastern buoy of the Casino diving area.

Suejac Wreck

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 water, the surf is usually calm or near calm and visibility is always pretty good (15-100').  Sea life is abundant and generally easily approachable.  You'll find a lot of great photo opportunities at Catalina, so bring a camera if you have one.

   You'll find several small wrecks within easy swimming distance of the stairs and lots of other points of interest throughout the Underwater Park.  My advise is to just Dive and enjoy the view, you'll come across many interesting things on every dive!

Concrete steps and rails right into the water

Casino Point

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

Just North of Avalon Harbor

Valiant Wreck is also known as Valiant, Valiant Shipwreck.

Valiant Wreck

Kelp with Sheepshead and Garaboldi fish

North west from Avalon

Frog Rock

Pelagics and big fish

Just around the southern tip of Catalina Island

The Palisades

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

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

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

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

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

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

Laguna Sea Sports

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.

Dive and Photo

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.

Jewfish Point

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Jewfish Point