Legend:
Shore
Dives (25+) Open
Water (20+) Wreck
Dives (70+)
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San Diego Dive Sites
Some of the finest diving in Southern California.
** Currently Posting Descriptions & Coordinates for over 120 Sites **
San Diego dive sites are world famous. Depending on your certification level, you may choose a shallow reef shore dive in the La Jolla Ecological Reserve (20'- 30'), a boat dive in the Pt. Loma kelp beds (35'- 65'), a deeper dive into the La Jolla canyon (50'- 100') or a trip to Wreck Alley. There are boat dives in Wreck Alley (with such famous wrecks as the HMCS Yukon, Ruby E, and the El Ray), as well as the kelp forests which are some of the best in the world. From Wreck Alley and the Giant Kelp Forests of Point Loma and La Jolla, to the pristine beauty of the Coronado Islands, what ever your pleasure, you are sure to find it diving in San Diego.
The diversity of San Diego marine life is awe-inspiring! Every dive site has unique underwater structures and bottom contour and a wide variety of life. San Diego offers diving with the La Jolla Cove seals, or the Marine Room Bat Rays and Leopard Sharks. Experience the majesty of this underwater world just off the coast of San Diego.
(Click on a Dive Site 'Icon' to See More Information)
Wreck Alley Dive Sites
A ‘must do’ San Diego boat diving experience! Wreck
alley is a group of artificial reefs, located one mile off the pacific
coast of Mission Beach. In addition to the abundance of marine life,
each wreck offers the excitement that comes with exploration,. From
schools of fish, such as calico bass and lingcod to anenomes, lobsters
and crabs, these wreck divess provide you with a memorable scuba
experience. San Diego Wrecks include: The NOSC Tower, an old naval
weather observatory that blew over in the storms of 1988. (Max depth
60 feet). The El Rey, an intentionally sunk kelp cutter. (Max depth
85 feet). The Ruby E, a retired Coast Guard cutter, sunk in 1989
(Max depth 90 feet) and San Diego’s wreck diving jewel, the "HMCS
Yukon". A, Canadian destroyer (Mckenzie class ), that was sunk
as part of the San Diego Oceans Foundation artificial reef program.
The Yukon is the most popular boat dive in San Diego. Wreck Alley
boat dives require advanced experience due to depth, but are a “must
do” when San Diego boat diving.
The San Diego Oceans Foundation maintains the buoys at the sites,
so divers have descent/ascent lines for easy access to the wrecks
and to use for their safety stops.
Kelp Forest Dive Sites
The La Jolla and Point Loma Kelp Beds offer some of the most beautiful diving in San Diego. The giant kelp canopies are home to a vast array of marine life. Diving in these incredible underwater forests will introduce you to a wide variety of reef fish and playful seals and sea lions. The rocky bottom in the kelp forest is the home for the colorful Nudibranchs, Sea Hares and our very own California Spiny Lobster. Great underwater photography diving! Currents are rarely a problem here. Problems can arise in the thick kelp. Proper training in kelp diving techniques is essential. Allow yourself enough air for the return trip to the boat under the kelp canopy. If you become entangled, stop and gently brush the kelp away (don’t turn your body to untangle; that will just lead to further entrapment). Consider a fork going into spaghetti. You turn the fork and the spaghetti wraps around the fork. If you get into the thick of the kelp, just gently brush the kelp away.
Coronados Islands Dive Sites
Just 15 miles south of San Diego, this is the best half-day trip for scuba diving in San Diego. A small conglomerate of uninhabited islands just off the coast of Rosarito, Mexico (just South of the border), the most popular dive spots are at ‘North Island’, including ‘Keyhole’ and ‘Lobster Shack’. With depths ranging 15 – 100 feet, and even an old small wreck near ‘Lobster Shack’, the Coronados are a great dive for all skill levels and a “must see” dive site. With visibility between 50'- 150' on average, it’s not uncommon to see lots of purple coral, octopus, Moray Eels, Horn Sharks, Harbor Seals, Sea Lions, and Garibaldi. Making the Coronados Islands a dive you'll always remember of San Diego dive sites.
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