With a long stretch of coastline (about hundred miles), California is a great place for a scuba diving adventure. The San Diego area is a place for Scuba Diving and assorted diving activities, none more than La Jolla Shores and La Jolla Cove. The latter is the home of the Leopard Shark, and despite with its name this ferocious beast is not dangerous. The Leopard Sharks travel in groups / schools with many gathering on the bottom at the beach. This is where natural process of proliferation of its specie - the young are born, and in over-all they grow up to 4 feet long and live longer than 25 years.
The Six (6) Most Popular Dive sites in Southern California
1. La Jolla Cove
La Jolla Cove features many different types of coral reef areas, kelp and caves. This is the area suitable for underwater night and deep divers and skilled photographers. The presence of rich nutrients in water resulted to the abundance of marine seals which from time to time join with you.
2. La Jolla Shores
A long sandy beach or seashore that closes to La Jolla Cove. The area is also an international diving destination. Advanced divers can have easy access to the La Jolla submarine canyon as well. This is where the slope steepens rather dramatically, and depths can reach up to 60 meters.
3. HMCS Yukon
One of San Diego’s popular dive spots is the HMCS Yukon, a sunken Canadian destroyer. It was sunk purposely in 2000, and lies about two (2) miles of the shoreline of San Diego. For all the divers’ benefits, many holes have been cut in the hull, and all the harmful items were detached before sinking the ship. There were coins hidden in the ship to offer prizes for divers who found them. The ship however is beginning to depreciate fast, and the frigid waters at that depth make this a challenging dive to the divers.
4. San Elijo State Beach
San Elijo State Beach is known for great surfing. Its conditions are suitable in September and June so that it can be a relaxed dive and not as crowded compared to some others. The surface reefs are rich with kelp, and you can also expect some high waves.
5. Pipes
Pipes is located in Cardiff-by-the-Sea. The shallow ridge and kelp are best for experienced shore divers. The water is less than 30m, and the heavy surge can be dangerous, thus, the surfers must be avoided this place when passing through the surf zone.
6. Ruby E
Ruby E is a local wreck that lies in about 80m of water off the coast of Mission Beach. The erect ship is part of the 200-acres artificial reef of Mission Beach, and she is well manifest with float from the Department of Game &Fish. The ship Ruby E, sunk in 1989, is a Coast Guard Cutter, named Cyane who is enjoying her retirement after duty in 2ndWorld War. The area is famous for hefty swells, and visibility can vary significantly because of the silt gathered on the bottom.
For divers, tourist and travelers of all skill levels, there are some areas as beautiful or as picturesque as the South Californian beach. Diving in California allows underwater trips during the day and city life at night. California offers dozens of great scuba-diving spots for those interested in diving, but there are a few that should be at the top of the itinerary for every diver. The variety of underwater cliffs and caves means that divers can do some broad underwater investigation. For those fascinated in seeing some of the greatest flora and fauna in the subaquatic world, the massive kelp forests and the excessive sea life will keep divers underwater for the rest of the day.
By doing some simple internet searching or working with a travel agent, travelers can find these hot spots, set up day trips, and beat the crowds to the great diving sites.