Posted by Grant on July 28, 2003 at 12:21:55:
In Reply to: Dive Recommendations for Newcomer posted by FL diver on July 24, 2003 at 18:40:49:
Normally I would recommend a number of sites along Malibu and O.C., but at the moment vis is terrible all along the the SoCal coast. Just dove Leo Carillo this weekend and vis was 6ft at best.
Go for a boat dive while you're in town. More control/safety for you given that it's your first time diving SoCal. Truth is, if you can dive Southern California you can dive just about anywhere. Try the Peace out of Ventura or one of the Truth Aquatics boats out of Santa Barbara.
Another nice weekender is to take the Catalina Express on Saturday morning to Avalon. Dive 2 or 3 times at Casino Point Underwater Park --- steps to the dive site, and very little current or surge make this a great intro to SoCal diving. Stay the night in Avalon and then book a day of boat diving (about $85.00) on the King Neptune through Catalina Scuba Luv. You can do three more dives and be back in Orange County by Sunday evening.
Have fun.