Adventure Sports Unlimited - California
The team at Adventure Sports Unlimited feel like your dive buddies from the moment you walk through the door. They're based in Santa Cruz, right on the doorstep of some fantastic, albeit chilly, California diving. We’ve found their PADI Open Water and Advanced courses particularly well-run; they really take the time to get you comfortable with the colder conditions and kelp forests before you even hit the ocean. Our favourite part has to be their approach to post-certification diving. They aren't just selling courses, they’re building a community, regularly organising trips to local spots like Monterey and beyond. What makes ASU special? They truly live up to the "Unlimited" part of their name. They specialise in getting divers comfortable and capable in the unique environment of California’s temperate waters, which is a specific skill set. If you’re looking to dive a lot in California, or even just visit for a course, ASU is your go-to. They suit divers who appreciate a friendly, thorough approach to training, and who want to keep diving with a welcoming group once certified. We’d choose them for their local expertise and the genuine community vibe they cultivate. It’s a great feeling to know you've got solid instruction, good gear advice, and a ready-made dive group waiting for your next adventure.
- Location
- California, United States, North America
- Coordinates
- 36.981540, -122.031105
- [email protected]
- Website
- https://asudoit.com
- Certification Agencies
- PADI
- Courses
- PADI Open Water, PADI Advanced Open Water, PADI Rescue Diver, PADI Divemaster, PADI Refresher, PADI Emergency First Response & Emergency Oxygen Provider
- Equipment Rental
- yes
- Address
- 303, Potrero Street, Santa Cruz, 95060
Dive Sites Near Adventure Sports Unlimited
Adventure Sports Unlimited provides access to 15 dive sites in California.
Other Dive Centres in California
- Adventure West Scuba - PADI
- Aloha Scuba
- Anderson's SCUBA diving
- Any Water Dive Center - PADI, DAN
- Aquanautics Dive, Inc - ["PADI"]
- Aquarius Dive Shop
- Aqua Safaris - EFR, DAN
- Aqua Sports
- ASD Scuba School
- Bakersfield Scuba Center - ["PADI"]
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.
Notable Marine Life
- Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp (Branchinecta lynchi)
- Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) - Reef Fish
- Western Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) - Reef Fish
- Sea Trout (Salmo trutta) - Reef Fish
- Little post horn squid (Spirula spirula) - Octopus & Squid
- Prickly sculpin (Cottus asper) - Reef Fish
- cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) - Reef Fish
- Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) - Reef Fish
- brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) - Reef Fish
- Ribbonfish (Lepidopus caudatus) - Reef Fish
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