Pacific Ocean Water Sports - California
The team at Pacific Ocean Water Sports are exactly who you want when you’re learning to dive in California. They're based inland, but don't let that fool you; they’re absolute experts on the local cold water conditions, which, let's be honest, can be a bit of a shock if you're used to the tropics. We love their rigorous approach to training, really preparing you for the realities of diving here, often in thick kelp forests and surge. What makes them special, we think, is their genuine passion for Monterey and the Channel Islands. They run regular trips, and their divemasters know those sites inside out – where the horn sharks hide, the best spots for nudibranchs, and how to navigate when the visibility drops to a few metres. We’d suggest you embrace their rental gear, especially if you’re new to cold water; a drysuit makes a huge difference to comfort, and theirs are always well-maintained. The shop itself is unassuming, but the knowledge and camaraderie are top-notch. If you’re serious about diving California’s unique underwater world, these are your people.
- Location
- California, United States, North America
- Coordinates
- 37.013615, -121.578120
- Website
- https://www.powatersports.com/
- Certification Agencies
- PADI, PSS
- Courses
- SCUBA training and certification, Divemaster, Instructor
- Equipment Rental
- yes
- Air Fills
- Air, Nitrox
- Address
- 431, 1st Street, Gilroy, 95020, US
Dive Sites Near Pacific Ocean Water Sports
Pacific Ocean Water Sports 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