White Point

White Point

California Mid, USA West
map
Entry Map
directions
Directions
photos
Photos
Difficulty
intermediate
Viz (last reported 100481h ago)
Max Depth
29.9 ft

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at White Point

There's something for everyone at White Point. Beginner and expert divers will find interesting underwater vistas to explore. Ship wrecks and old construction have left bits and pieces of history strewn through the area. Plus, reefs and kelp around the point are harbors for the elusive critters. The Big Attraction here is the Warm Water Vents in the Shallows. About 50 Yards out you'll find areas with almost no growth and a mixed White and Black Sandy Bottom. You may see "Murky Water" in these areas as well. If so, you're over the vents - Try taking your Gloves off and putting them in the sand, you'll feel the Heat - It's pretty Cool (or is that Hot)! Expect to see Bat Stars, Sea Cucumbers, Moray eels and lots of Nudibranchs as you venture away from the Vents. Go a little Deeper and East and you'll run into Kelp and Rock outcrops loaded with goodies. The best diving is in the kelp bed about 200 yards east of the cove, Rock formations with dramatic overhangs, schools of fish darting throughout the kelp, barracuda, Giant Seabass, lobster, large sand rose anemones and batrays can be found here. Entry in the cove can be tough. Slippery rocks and shallow water extends more than sixty feet from shore. It is best to dive here at high tide. The park is closed at night, but you can enter via the fire road east of the baseball field and enter the water on either side of the point. Two thousand feet offshore is a beautiful reef with several species of sponges, different nudibranchs than those found inshore and various rockfish. The reef is about thirty feet wide and one hundred feet long and rises twenty feet above the sand. There are smaller rocks about fifty feet NE of White Point Rock. The only location on Palos Verdes Peninsula with parking right by the water. Swim approx 200 yards straight out at 40' depth. 1.5 miles East of the junction of I-110 and the Pacific Coast Highway, take Western Ave South toward the ocean. In about 5.5 miles, it will merge with West Paseo Del Mar. You'll see the view of the following picture.
Access
shore
boat
entry map
View
Nearby Shops
Tide Report
5
4
3
2
1
3.7
(21)
Currently viewing a specific review. View all reviews
John Burton
John Burton
Mar 3, 2002, 12:00 AM
scuba
SNORKELING REVIEW: Early March water temp 53 deg. so wetsuit is a must! Although you can park right next to the water, the shore is very rocky with some large underwater rocks (3+ ft) and strong shore swells. Best to enter at high tide wearing gloves & booties with sturdy soles. Put fins on in water. About 40 feet from shore, water is 10 feet deep. Very few fish seen near shore, but plenty of sea urchins and anemones. If you swim out to kelp 50-75 yds offshore, there is much more life, including crabs and large fish. Water visibility about 15 to 20 feet. Plenty of fishermen nearby so watch out for hooks and lines. Arrive 10 or 11am to secure parking. Fee is $5.00 to park near shore; $2.00 at top of hill (a very long walk with gear and food). I did not vote on scuba conditions so ignore those scores
Other Locations Nearby