Diving in California

Explore 199 dive sites in California, United States. Ocean conditions, marine species, and dive centres.

Best Time to Dive in California

The warmest water temperatures in California occur in August, averaging 20.6°C (up to 24.0°C). The coolest conditions are in February at 14.0°C.

The calmest sea conditions are typically in July with average wave heights of 0.60m.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 14.4°C (air: 14.0°C)
  • February: 14.0°C (air: 13.8°C)
  • March: 14.2°C (air: 13.3°C)
  • April: 14.9°C (air: 14.3°C)
  • May: 16.6°C (air: 15.4°C)
  • June: 18.9°C (air: 17.4°C)
  • July: 20.4°C (air: 18.9°C)
  • August: 20.6°C (air: 19.6°C)
  • September: 20.4°C (air: 19.7°C)
  • October: 18.8°C (air: 18.4°C)
  • November: 16.3°C (air: 16.0°C)
  • December: 15.6°C (air: 14.3°C)

Marine Life in California

Home to 10 recorded species including 8 reef fish, 1 other, 1 octopus & squid.

Dive Site Difficulty in California

California has 18 beginner, 4 intermediate dive sites - suitable for divers of all levels.

Recommended Packing List for California

Based on average water temperature of 17.1°C.

  • Wetsuit (5-7mm) - recommended for 17°C water
  • Hood & Gloves (3-5mm) - helps retain warmth
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Marine Protected Areas in California

  • Channel Islands National Park - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • San Diego Marine Life Refuge - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Anacapa Island State Marine Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Painted Cave (Santa Cruz Island) State Marine Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Vandenberg State Marine Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Richardson Rock (San Miguel Island) State Marine Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Judith Rock (San Miguel Island) State Marine Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Harris Point (San Miguel Island) State Marine Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Skunk Point (Santa Rosa Island) State Marine Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Carrington Point (Santa Rosa Island) State Marine Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • South Point (Santa Rosa Island) State Marine Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Gull Island (Santa Cruz Island) State Marine Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Scorpion (Santa Cruz Island) State Marine Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Santa Barbara Island State Marine Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Anacapa Island State Marine Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Scripps Coastal Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Offshore Island - Private Conservation (IUCN Category V)
  • Footprint State Marine Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Point Conception State Marine Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Kashtayit State Marine Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Naples State Marine Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Campus Point State Marine Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Begg Rock (San Nicolas Island Quad) State Marine Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Point Vicente State Marine Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Abalone Cove State Marine Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Arrow Point to Lion Head Point (Catalina Island) State Marine Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Blue Cavern (Catalina Island) Onshore State Marine Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Blue Cavern (Catalina Island) Offshore State Marine Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Long Point (Catalina Island) State Marine Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Casino Point (Catalina Island) State Marine Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Lover's Cove (Catalina Island) State Marine Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Cat Harbor (Catalina Island) State Marine Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Swami's State Marine Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • San Diego-Scripps Coastal State Marine Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Cabrillo State Marine Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • San Miguel Island Spec Special Closure - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Anacapa Island Spec Special Closure - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Anacapa Island Special Closure (A) Special Closure - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Point Dume State Marine Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Point Dume State Marine Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Farnsworth Onshore (Catalina Island) State Marine Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Farnsworth Offshore (Catalina Island) State Marine Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Laguna Beach State Marine Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Laguna Beach State Marine Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Dana Point State Marine Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • South La Jolla State Marine Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • South La Jolla State Marine Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Newport Beach Marine Life Refuge - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Anacapa Island Federal Marine Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Anacapa Island Federal Marine Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • City of Encinitas Marine Life Refuge - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Dana Point Marine Life Refuge - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Doheny Beach Marine Life Refuge - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Footprint (Anacapa Channel) Federal Marine Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Gull Island (Santa Cruz Island) Federal Marine Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Harris Point (San Miguel Island) Federal Marine Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Irvine Coast Marine Life Refuge - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Laguna Beach Marine Life Refuge - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Niguel Marine Life Refuge - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Point Fermin Marine Life Refuge - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Richardson Rock (San Miguel Island) Federal Marine Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Santa Barbara Island Federal Marine Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Scorpion (Santa Cruz Island) Federal Marine Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • South Laguna Beach Marine Life Refuge - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • South Point (Santa Rosa Island) Federal Marine Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • James Scripps Bluff - Preserve (IUCN Category V)
  • Newport Beach Marine Life - Refuge (IUCN Category V)
  • Golden Shore Marine Biological Reser - Reserve (IUCN Category V)
  • Palos Verdes Shoreline - Shoreline (IUCN Category V)
  • Shoreline - Marina (IUCN Category V)
  • Channel Islands - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)

Getting to California - Nearest Airports

  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Los Angeles - 41 km away, approx 60 min travel time
  • Van Nuys Airport (VNY), Van Nuys - 54 km away, approx 74 min travel time
  • Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Burbank - 61 km away, approx 82 min travel time

Dive Sites

Dive Centres

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical water temperatures and visibility like for diving in California?
For optimal diving conditions in California, you can expect water temperatures to peak around 20.6°C in August, with July and September also offering pleasant averages of 20.4°C. While specific visibility data is not provided, conditions can vary greatly depending on location and time of year, often improving in calmer waters and away from heavy surge.
What kind of unique marine life can divers expect to see in California's waters?
Divers exploring California's diverse waters can anticipate encountering vibrant marine life, including the iconic leopard sharks, particularly around La Jolla. The extensive giant kelp forests, especially near the Channel Islands and Monterey Bay's marine sanctuary, provide a rich habitat for a variety of species. To learn more about specific species, explore our wildlife database.
Where are the best dive sites in California, especially for kelp forests and shipwrecks?
For breathtaking kelp forest dives in California, the Channel Islands are renowned, offering an immersive experience within their giant kelp forests. Wreck enthusiasts can explore the HMCS Yukon, an Intermediate-level wreck dive. Additionally, popular reef sites like La Jolla Cove and Naples Reef are among the 213 available dive sites.
Is California diving suitable for beginner divers, or is it mostly for experienced divers?
California offers diving opportunities suitable for both beginner and experienced divers. Several sites, such as Leo Carrillo State Beach, Corral Canyon State Beach, and Channel Islands Break Wall, are designated as Beginner-level dives. With 213 dive sites available, there are plenty of options for all skill levels.
Do I need a special certification or experience level to dive in California's colder waters?
While California's waters are not tropical, standard open water certifications are generally sufficient for many of its 213 dive sites, including Beginner-level locations like La Jolla Canyon. For the Intermediate-level dives, such as the HMCS Yukon wreck, additional experience or advanced training is recommended. Divers should always ensure they have appropriate equipment for the conditions.
How do I get to the main dive regions and islands in California?
While specific transportation details are not provided in our current data, access to California's main dive regions and islands, such as the Channel Islands, is typically via boat charters from coastal cities. Many of the 213 dive sites, including popular shore dives like Leo Carrillo State Beach, are accessible directly from the coast. With 120 dive centres in the region, arranging trips is convenient.
When is the best time of year to go scuba diving in California for optimal conditions and marine life?
For optimal water temperatures and generally more comfortable diving conditions in California, the best time of year is typically during the summer and early fall. August offers the warmest average at 20.6°C, closely followed by July and September at 20.4°C. While marine life is present year-round, these months often coincide with increased activity and better visibility. For more detailed information, consult our when to dive guide.
What are the diving conditions like in California, including currents, surge, and entry challenges for shore dives?
While specific data on currents, surge, and entry challenges for California dive sites is not provided, conditions can vary significantly depending on location and weather. Coastal areas and shore dives, such as Corral Canyon State Beach, can sometimes present entry challenges due to waves or rocky terrain. Divers should always assess local conditions and consult with one of the 120 local dive centres before entering the water.