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Snorkeling spots

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One-Off

Tom Curren status
Jul 28, 2005
14,240
10,439
113
33.8N - 118.4W
I got my daughter into snorkeling. We're looking for spots with easy coastal access (not by boat), shallow (10-15 feet max). Preferably in LA County, but feel free to post up other locales for future reference and for others who live in different spots.
 
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Phil Edwards status
Sep 17, 2012
6,910
3,176
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I dove the stretch from top of Trancas to Zeros like crazy in my teens and up and they are good when the viz is on. Stand on the cliff with polarized shades and you'll know if it's clear viz or not, reefy or not, kelpy or not, etc. Leo Carrillo is a super popular dive spot but I avoid windsurf/kitesurf spots for obvious reasons. Above county line to Mugu Rock, Deer Creek and random reefs are more fickle (viz), way creepier, but sometimes open up and the bottom structure is insane, unlike anything south of Neptunes Net. IMO best thing to know is what swells/wind/etc make the viz good at the spots you like to dive and you'll enjoy it way more. There's a simple formula for every dive spot just like surf spots.
 
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92122

92122

Michael Peterson status
Jul 29, 2015
2,613
1,048
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Just snorkeled the dive park off the casino building in Avalon / Catalina last weekend. Always nice in the summer.
 
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sushipop

Michael Peterson status
Feb 7, 2008
3,380
5,971
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The Dagobah System
anyone have any recs for SD county? we've got a few spots around my local stretch that my kids like, but any other recs would be appreciated.
 
One-Off

One-Off

Tom Curren status
Jul 28, 2005
14,240
10,439
113
33.8N - 118.4W
_____ said:
I dove the stretch from top of Trancas to Zeros like crazy in my teens and up and they are good when the viz is on. Stand on the cliff with polarized shades and you'll know if it's clear viz or not, reefy or not, kelpy or not, etc. Leo Carrillo is a super popular dive spot but I avoid windsurf/kitesurf spots for obvious reasons. Above county line to Mugu Rock, Deer Creek and random reefs are more fickle (viz), way creepier, but sometimes open up and the bottom structure is insane, unlike anything south of Neptunes Net. IMO best thing to know is what swells/wind/etc make the viz good at the spots you like to dive and you'll enjoy it way more. There's a simple formula for every dive spot just like surf spots.
Click to expand...
I hear you about the visibility. I was paddling with my daughter last week and it was very clear (one bonus of flat conditions). We paddled through some kelp beds and it was really clear. I figured the bottom was maybe 8-10 deep. I tried diving down but couldn't reach the bottom (full suit buoyancy). It must have been 15-20 deep.
 
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Phil Edwards status
Sep 17, 2012
6,910
3,176
113
llilibel03 said:
I hear you about the visibility. I was paddling with my daughter last week and it was very clear (one bonus of flat conditions). We paddled through some kelp beds and it was really clear. I figured the bottom was maybe 8-10 deep. I tried diving down but couldn't reach the bottom (full suit buoyancy). It must have been 15-20 deep.
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ha, yeah. with nobody to teach me anything early on I used my surf suit and no weight belt for a long time. I like to be negatively buoyant a few ft underwater. No weight belt and lots of rubber can be dangerous in kelp. I dove in Gaviota yesterday at a random kelp bed in 20-40' of water. Good viz and lots of fish, and some thick kelp where it was super dark (like, almost black).
 
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Phil Edwards status
Sep 17, 2012
6,910
3,176
113
afoaf said:
why is buoyancy dangerous in kelp?
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Diving down without a weight belt you'll be using way more energy/oxygen, then with a wetsuit you'll float to the surface like a cork. It's normal to anticipate a big exhale and take a big breath when your head pops out. If thick kelp is on the surface, and you're surfacing without control, it's easier to get caught under and then tangled (esp low tide, and that gnarly kelp up north). With a belt you have control of your ascent, can look up and surface exactly where you want to. Plus, you can dump a weight belt in a few seconds if you need to for any reason.
 
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Tom Curren status
Jul 28, 2005
14,240
10,439
113
33.8N - 118.4W
_____ said:
Diving down without a weight belt you'll be using way more energy/oxygen, then with a wetsuit you'll float to the surface like a cork. It's normal to anticipate a big exhale and take a big breath when your head pops out. If thick kelp is on the surface, and you're surfacing without control, it's easier to get caught under and then tangled (esp low tide, and that gnarly kelp up north). With a belt you have control of your ascent, can look up and surface exactly where you want to. Plus, you can dump a weight belt in a few seconds if you need to for any reason.
Click to expand...
Seems in any case when you surface you'd want to look up and aim for the light.

Does wearing a weight belt make treading water or cruising at the surface more of an effort?
 
crustBrother

crustBrother

Kelly Slater status
Apr 23, 2001
9,313
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llilibel03 said:
Seems in any case when you surface you'd want to look up and aim for the light.

Does wearing a weight belt make treading water or cruising at the surface more of an effort?
Click to expand...
All depends on surface conditions. If its calm, then no extra effort at all.

If you're trying to get back into a cove with 3 foot surf and a gnarley rip, then you might just have to ditch the weight belt to keep from drowning. That's my experience anyways.

And to answer your next question, the answer is "No, I really can't explain why I was snorkeling in conditions like that".

Chasing seals maybe? Must have been that. That was definitely before I got into surfing. Certainly wouldn't ever snorkel on a day like that when surfing is an option.
 
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