Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Los Angeles County

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

NE from Two Harbors.

Rays, kelp, gorgonians, Horn Sharks West of Cat Harbor

East end of Catalina Island, just north of Seal Rocks

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.

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.

Lobsters some crab and small fish. Kelp at the top of the breakwall, deep silt at the bottom. Recommended that you leave someone onboard the boat while diving, as the silt doesn't hold the anchor in moderate wind. Dive flag required due to heavy boat traffic. The Los Angeles Federal breakwater at Angel's Gate (Los Angeles Harbor) is also nice. Lots of lobster in the rocks, but not as many nudibranchs as the Long Beach breakwater at Queen's Gate (Long Beach Harbor) Long Beach Harbor Entrance

Kelp, big fish, sea lions and lobster Backside west of Cat Harbor

Dive Hen Rockock with its rock formations and kelp forest. Great lobster hunting in season. SE of Long Point on the front side of Catalina Island

SE of Avalon Little Farnsworth is also known as Pinnacle Rock.

This dive site is a large boulder-strewn area surrounded by sand. Great for Lobstering. Home to a large population of Giant Sea Bass. West of Long Point, in the front side of Catalina Island.

An altitude of 3000ft+ gives reason to be altitude certified. Sheer rock, and structure verticals give this dive an appealing wall dive. Big thermoclines and visibility changes at depth. Aquatic vegetation and life include super large cottonwood trees, trout, largemouth bass and varieties of carp. Underwater picnic grounds are also a treat. Snow fed into the spring time and early summer. 1.1 billions gals at full level. Off of Hwy 138 in North LA County is Cheseboro Road, take that to the guard station to Pay $5.00 per car and diver, extra passengers or divers are an additional $2.00, under 12 is free. Continue to the reservoir. Any entry on the West side of the Reservoir is accessible in only minutes.

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.

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.

Rocky with kelp and sea Lions Around the corner from Avalon

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.

park at end of lot walk past rock climbing wall to a smaller beach and enter to the left of that beach, continue to rock formations that are less then 50 yards out to dive site Point Dume is also known as Point Dume Pinnacles.

Access from shore involse a car shuttle and a long hike down a gated dirt road. The diving is shallow with little to no visibility, but when the vis is good you will find fish and nudibranchs galore. Hopkin's Rose nudis are on nearly every rock in 5-10 feet of water. From the locked gate at Portugese Bend, the dirt road winds its way down to the cliff below. Entry is from the gravel beach. Archery Range is also known as Portugese Bend.

Pinnacles rising from the depths up to just a few feet below the surface. Invertebrates everywhere. Pelagics occur often. I've seen two Thresher sharks here. Boat only. Because of heavy boat traffic a dive flag is required. Pt. Vicente Pinnacles is also known as Whale Rock.

This site is in a State of California Marine Reserve, anchoring is prohibited and ALL marine life is protected. Dives in the cove range from 30M+ walls to 3M rocky reefs. The cove is managed for the state by the USC/Wrigley Marine Science Center. It is heavily instrumented, with numerous scientific experiments anchored to the bottom. Please don't disturb! Sandy bottom Halibut, Rays and sand sharks Western Side of Ismus Cove Fishermans Cove is also known as Fisherman's Cove.

Calm spot inside Ismus Cove with kelp and fish. I found an old anchor there but ran out of air and tanks and could not get it... Southwest of Bird Rock

Great reef dive, purple coral and many fish Western side of Catalina Island

Under water arch large enough to drive a car through. The reef is coverd with sponges, nudibranchs and scallops. Treacherous hike and very long swim. Best dived from a boat. Underwater Arch is also known as Neptune Cove.

Kelp and fish. Just outside Cat harbor. West End Catalina

Kelp, sand and all the fish you want West of Ismus Cove

Lobsters and Kelp with Calico Bass and Garabaldi Just West of Ismus Cove

Kelp with Calico Bass and Garabaldi. Rays in the sand Rock Quarry

Kelp and a lot of fish. Some Abalone South of Avalon

gorgonians and kelp with Calico bass Garabaldi and others. occasional Sea Lions.

Sandy bottom and kelp in the rocks West of Ismus Cove Big Geiger Cove is also known as Geiger Cove.

Kelp and sank. some pelagics. Lobster Around the backside from Avalon Sentinel Point is also known as Sentinel Pt..

Great night diving for lobster Backside from Avalon Ben Weston Point is also known as Ben Weston Pt..

Sand and rocky bottom. Halibut and rays in the sand with lobsters in the rocks. South of Long Point

Kelp forrests and sharks West of Ismus Cove Johnsons Rock is also known as Johnson's Rock.

Black and white sea bass on occasion. Lobster at night marching across the sand West of Ismus Cove

annenomes sand and kelp South of Avalon

Kelp, sea lions and Harbor seals with many fish Northwest of Cat Harbor Iron Bound Cove is also known as Iron Bound Bay.

Kelp around the rocks and a few fish West of Ismus Cove

Barracuda and an occasional White Sea Bass. Garibaldi and Calico Bass North of Long Point

Sandy cove with night time lobsters marching by. Halibut and rays in the sand West of Long Point

Kelp and associated fish. Can have good current. Sand has rays. North of Long Point

Kelp sea Lions and occasional pelagics. Abalone and lobster West of Cat Harbor

Kelp and reef fish Girabaldi. Rays in the sand. Abalone and some lobsters in rocky areas West of Long Point

White Seabass, Barracuda. Kerlp with Calico Bass North of Long Point

Kelp forrests make home for many beautiful fish. West of Long Point

Kelp and Kelp fishes, Garaboldi Western side of Ismus Cove Lions Head is also known as Lion Head.

Rays in the sand and some Halibut. Leopard sharks in the southern kelp. Northwest of Ismus Cove

Sheepshead, garaboldi pelagics, sea bass ast of Cat Harbor

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.

Pelagics and big fish Just around the southern tip of Catalina Island

Sand with Halibut and Rays. Some crabs Just south of Imperial Avenue

Gariboldi, Octopus and lobsters in the rocks South of Avalon

Big Sea Bass between here and Eagle Reef (out front) North west from Ismus Cove

Sandy bottom with halibut and Rays Northwestern side of Ismus Cove

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

invertebrates, sheepshead Short walk from Parking Lot

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.

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

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.

Located directly offshore from the end of Hawthorne Blve. in Rancho Palos Verdes. The site used to be called Barber Pole for a line up that used to be at Golden Shores shopping Center. Hawthorne Reef is also known as Barber Pole.

The Star of Scotland sits in 75 feet about a mile off the Santa Monica Pier. During the summer it is home to more than two dozen giant sea bass. Visibility is usually poor, but can reach thirty feet or more during good conditions.

UB88 was a WWI German submarine sunk after the war in 1921 Approx six miles off Pt. Fermin.

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.

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.

The Radio Tower rests on its side in 100 feet less than a mile off Pt. Fermin. There is some debate as to what the tower actually was, but there is no debate about what a great site it is. Metridium anemones hang from nets and lines draped across the legs of the tower. Fish, sponges, anemones and nudibranchs cover every inch of the tower.

Best is shallower than 40 feet. Dive thru the kelp forest, and look for lobsters (there are many everywhere !). SE of Long Point and Moonstone Beach on the frontside of Catalina Island

Sandy bottom with small sharks and some lobster. Various shrimp in the rocks after dark North west of Avalon

Sandy bottom with Horn Sharks, shovel nose sharks and rays in the sand South West of Long Point

Horn sharks, Garaboldi and Halibut in the sand Just South of Long Point Pirate's Cove is also known as Pirates Cove.

Normally a follow up from Church Rock South of Avalon

Kelp with Sheepshead and Garaboldi fish North west from Avalon

Kelp, Sea Lions, fish Just North of Ismus Cove Western catalina Island

Blue cavern is a fantastic wide-angle photography site. Blue Cavern point is located in a marine sanctuary (anchoring is prohibited). It is just S of Bird Rock, along the coastline toward Two Harbors Blue Cavern is also known as Blue Cavern Point, Blue Caverns, Blue Caverns Point.

White Abalone over 90 feet. Harbor seals. Garaboldi and sheepshead Northwest of Ismus Harbor

Kelp with Callico bass and Garabaldi, some other fish South of Long Point

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!

Kelp, Garabaldi, big sea Bass, nudibranchs and rays in the sand West of Arrow Point and Ismus Cove

Beautiful Cove for lunch off gassing between dives with kelp and a lot of small fish North west of Avalon on catalina

Although the visibility is usually poor here, at times it can be good enough to have a great dive. It is the easiest access in Los Angeles county. Little to no surf, packed sand and the reef begins a short distance from shore. Showers and restrooms are right next to the sand. The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is an interesting visit after diving. It is filled with the local marine life you may have encountered under water. The boat launch at the northeast end of the parking lot has nudibranchs atop the kelp next to the dock in the spring and summer. The best diving is at the outer edge of the kelp, beyond the swim buoy. It's a long swim, but there is an old military wreck in the middle of the kelp and the low-lyiing reefs are filled with clams, fish, sea lions and harbor seals. Gray whales pass by in the winter and can be seen from shore. Dolphins swim in the kelp most mornings and evenings. For non-divers there is a fishing pier, the aquarium, parks with playground equipment and tidepools to explore along the base of the cliff. Take Stephan White Drive from Pacific Avenue in San Pedro.

On December 6, 2003 the commercial fishing boat Jenny Lynne sank off Long Point, Rancho Palos Verdes. The owner, Vito Terzoli said the boat began taking on water and sank shortly after its crew was picked up by another boat, the San Pedro Pride. Rumors swirled about insurance scamming, but no charges were ever brought. The wreck sits in 145 feet on its starboard side. Rigging and nets still cover the wreck, but metridium anemones and rockfish soon took over the wreck. Visibility is usually poor, but can be over thirty feet at times.

Reef inside Ismus good for fish and some small sharks on sandy bottom some Kelp Western Side of Ismus Cove, West End Catalina Island

Malaga cove is located in the posh Palos Verdes area.

White Abalone below 90 feet West of Isthmus Cove

This site has beautiful rock formations and lots of life. This site is extremely beautiful. Gear up in the parking lot. It cost 2 dollars to park. There are bathrooms in the parking lot and 1/2 mile down the driveway or stairs. At the end of the driveway there are showers, too. You can go straight out from the stairs or enter to the right, down the path. The rock formation is about 72 yards out. The depth ranges from 20-40 feet. The conditions can be very calm and one day extremely ruff. This site is one of the more beautiful sights in California.

Mantis shrimp can be found here! Southeast of Arrow Point

Off NW corner of Bird Rock. Located in Isthmus Cove on the frontside of Catalina Island.

Rocky exit and entry with three distinct dive areas. The near shore reef, known as the Garden is shallow with kelp, sand and the usual reef animals. The 120 Reef is located 120 degrees from the beach. It has more sponges and fish than the Garden and is a relatively short swim from shore. It is a good beginners spot. The Point, in front of the Terranea Hotel is the highlight of Marineland. Pinnacles, gorgonians, dozens of species of nudibranchs and much more invertebrate life than the 120 Reef. Interests: Nudibranchs (especially between 40 & 65ft off the point), Octopus, Blennies & Sculpins on the shallow pinnacles near the point The reefs consist of large pinnacles covered with invertebrates. Healthy Sea fans with colorful Gorgonians are prolific, Rockfish, Lingcod, Cabezon, Scorpionfish and many schooling fish can be found here. An occasional Bat Ray, Sea-lion, Torpedo Ray, or Guitarfish will often surprise the diver. Terranea Resort, formerly Marineland of the Pacific. 6610 Palos Verdes Drive South, east of Point Vicente Lighthouse. By boat or alternate access, walk in! Marineland is also known as Old Marineland.

Multi-level dive site including several type of dive: Cave, Wall, etc. Snorkeling area is to the East. Frontside of Catalina Island