Lost Winds Dive Shop - California
The team at Lost Winds Dive Shop are exactly who you want when diving the tricky California coast. We’ve found them to be incredibly knowledgeable about the local conditions, which, as any West Coast diver knows, can change on a dime. They specialise in getting divers comfortable with colder water and surge, perfect for anyone looking to expand their skills beyond calm, tropical reefs. Lost Winds is our go-to for gear advice and local intel. They’re PADI-focused, offering all the core courses, but it’s their real-world application of that knowledge we value most. We love that they don't just teach the book, they teach you how to dive *here*. Expect to learn about reading kelp for current direction and timing entries between sets. Our favourite tip from them? Always pack a spare hood; there’s nothing worse than a cold head when the water dips below 15 degrees Celsius. If you're looking to dive Laguna Beach, especially the coves around Shaw’s or Diver's Cove, Lost Winds will get you sorted with the right weight, a good rental suit if you need one, and a solid briefing on what to expect below. They make diving the temperate Pacific feel less intimidating and a lot more fun.
- Location
- California, United States, North America
- Coordinates
- 33.411850, -117.600500
- Phone
- +1 949-535-4585
- [email protected]
- Website
- http://www.lostwinds.com
- Certification Agencies
- ["PADI"]
- Courses
- PADI Dive Center [padi:28132]
- Address
- 2411 South El Camino Real, San Clemente, California 92672, United States
Dive Sites Near Lost Winds Dive Shop
Lost Winds Dive Shop provides access to 15 dive sites in California.
Other Dive Centres in California
- Adventure Sports Unlimited - PADI
- 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
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