Anyone Scuba or Snorkel?

[Rob]

I just invested in some semi high end snorkel/dive gear for my Hawaii trip. I was wondering if anyone dive's in so cal? I heard Laguna beach is good for snorkeling/diving.

Here's the stuff I bought.

http://www.aqualung.com/products/blades_2_hf.html



http://www.aqualung.com/products/impulse3.html



http://www.scubapro.com/#,en_US;contenthandler,16879,

[Neccros]

Catalina has some good diving/snorkling

[Burner]

I was a divemaster / assistant instructor in college... was fun. Used to divemaster the boats out of Ventura harbor to the Channel Islands. Occasionally good stuff out there. I'm not a fan of getting cold, or beach diving. The tropics are where it's at, nothing beats warm water... enjoy hawaii!

[Evil Chocula]

I dive and snorkel... but, the diving in SD isn't so hot. The snorkeling in La Jolla cove is pretty fun though.

[dstepper]

Rob, I live at Crescent Bay, Laguna Beach…excellent snorkeling. Was snorkeling late this afternoon…water temp 69...I body surf or snorkel a couple times a week. Some cool bait balls out there today. We swim from shore out to the island where the Sea Lions hangout lots of stuff to see out there. Crescent Bay is where Friends of the Sea Lions release their Lions so they are very friendly and come up to ya. Mostly in the winner, it is not uncommon to have the dolphins come in and ride waves near us. Let me know I am always into a MTB ride and ocean day. Lets give your equipment a road test. I live two blocks away from Laguna Wilderness Park…Dartmore entrance one block from Crescent. Bring your climbing legs...Dartmore is a long steep climb.

Dean

[sheclimbs]

Although I agree with Mat, warm water diving is the best, and beach diving pretty much sucks. Hate that backwards walking in fins with all your gear on. Too much work for very little payoff IMO. I've done some great diving out at the Channels. I usually take the boats out from Santa Barbara.
Where are you going in Hawaii?
A old friend of mine runs one of the big shops in Kona.

[Burner]

Originally Posted by sheclimbs

A old friend of mine runs one of the big shops in Kona.

oh really????? I'll be there thanksgiving.

[Rob]

Originally Posted by dstepper

Rob, I live at Crescent Bay, Laguna Beach…excellent snorkeling. Was snorkeling late this afternoon…water temp 69...I body surf or snorkel a couple times a week. Some cool bait balls out there today. We swim from shore out to the island where the Sea Lions hangout lots of stuff to see out there. Crescent Bay is where Friends of the Sea Lions release their Lions so they are very friendly and come up to ya. Mostly in the winner, it is not uncommon to have the dolphins come in and ride waves near us. Let me know I am always into a MTB ride and ocean day. Lets give your equipment a road test. I live two blocks away from Laguna Wilderness Park…Dartmore entrance one block from Crescent. Bring your climbing legs...Dartmore is a long steep climb.

Dean

That sounds great Dean, what day is best for you this week?

[Schecky]

What Dean said.

[Rob]

Originally Posted by sheclimbs

Although I agree with Mat, warm water diving is the best, and beach diving pretty much sucks. Hate that backwards walking in fins with all your gear on. Too much work for very little payoff IMO. I've done some great diving out at the Channels. I usually take the boats out from Santa Barbara.
Where are you going in Hawaii?
A old friend of mine runs one of the big shops in Kona.

We're staying at Oahu, In Hauula(northshore/windward side)

[guero]

like seppie said, there lots of fun spots to snorkel around laguna and corona del mar. lemme know if you wanna go woobies.

[Rob]

Originally Posted by guero

like seppie said, there lots of fun spots to snorkel around laguna and corona del mar. lemme know if you wanna go woobies.

I definitely want to go someday this week before my trip. Do you have a day off this week? Maybe Dean will have a day off the same as you.

[guero]

Originally Posted by Rob

I definitely want to go someday this week before my trip. Do you have a day off this week? Maybe Dean will have a day off the same as you.

unless i go early morning, i cant go. i work m-f from 9-6 bubb. i live in long beach, so its about a 40 minute drive south for me, and then bout 45 minutes back up north...maybe we can go when you return from hawaii.

[number7s]

i got certified when i was 10, catalina was really great

[Dino Brown]

I dive!

For local stuff, the kelp beds in Catalina are the way to go! Palos Verdes... Malibu.... La Jolla all have the potential for good dives. Check the newspaper/ internet for dive conditions before you decide to dive.

As for beach dives- Laguna is "generally" your best bet!

A few resources that may come in handy...
O.C. Diving- http://www.ocdiving.com/
South O.C. Dive Club- http://socdc.com/index.html
Directions to dive spots (click each one) http://www.lagunaseasports.com/divesite/default.asp

I have literally 100 more websites I could have included. If you have any questions... feel free to PM me!

[Sprockethead]

Originally Posted by sheclimbs

A old friend of mine runs one of the big shops in Kona.

Lynn, we need to talk. I'm certified to dive, except I haven't gone since I got certified years ago. Nobody to go with so I've been snorkeling. I'd love to dive the Big Island sometime,

[Rob]

Looks like we're going to have to set up some STR Snorkel, Surf and Ride days!

Thanks for the info Dino!


BTW, I got all my gear at this shop. They're right next door to Adrenaline.

http://www.pacificwilderness.com/

Very good shop, they were very helpful.

Originally Posted by guero

unless i go early morning, i cant go. i work m-f from 9-6 bubb. i live in long beach, so its about a 40 minute drive south for me, and then bout 45 minutes back up north...maybe we can go when you return from hawaii.

Cool, we'll set something up. It'll have to be on a Sunday because I'm working at Adrenaline on Saturdays from now on.

[Dino Brown]

Hmmm.. I wonder why you went there? Oh yeah! Pacific Wilderness is next to Adrenaline (shameless plug).

I received my certification at their ORIGINAL store in Orange. Good people!

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by Rob

That sounds great Dean, what day is best for you this week?

I can do afternoons most any day. No plans this weekend so far. I say a Sunday ride and beach day at my house.

Lynn, I see what a hassel it is for the full diving gear people, packing all their gear down to the beach. Me, I use body surfing fins, no wet suit and jump in and put the fins on in the water. No problems. Once the water gets below 64, I don't snorkel as often because I have to use a wet suit. I don't like it when the water gets in the high 70's and 80's. 72 is prefect for me. Once you round the corner (the reef) at Cresent Bay the surface water warms 4-5 degrees.

Dean

[sheclimbs]

Stepster, shore snokeling is a delight, especially down where you are with the warm, clear water. Just don't like to do that reverse walking with the full wet-suit, and heavy tank you know the backward penguin shuffle!