Posted by Karen on August 11, 2003 at 21:09:45:
In Reply to: Good Malibu Dive Sites for Beginners/Intermediates? posted by Jason on August 10, 2003 at 20:20:45:
Jason, make sure you take a look at the swell model (http://cdip.ucsd.edu/models/wave.model.shtml) a few days before (look at the trend of the swell with the "3 day forecast" - is it increasing?) and the day of your dive. This can greatly influence where you choose to dive. Take a look at the direction of the swell. You will want to choose your site based on this first. On the day of the dive have several sites in mind and check the conditions at each site.
Redondo (Vet's Park), while not an exciting day dive, can be very sheltered from the surf because of submarine Redondo Canyon. There are lots of critters, including rays, flatfish, and crabs, to see, even in the daytime. A plus to this dive is that there are showers and bathrooms. Additionally you can eat at a variety of restaurants after.
Near Malibu, there are a couple of places. As Melvin mentioned, 24434 Malibu Rd is close to the road. However, visibility is often poor here and there are a lot of rocks to trip over during the entry/exit. The reef has a lot of relief and the life is quite rich there. Plus the reef is just a very short surface swim.
Another dive site good for beginners is Corral Canyon. Park along PCH just east of the houses, across the street from the restaurant Beau Rivage. Up until the recent warm water, the kelp beds had grown considerably. The reef extends east-west, parallel to the highway. You'll see the usual critters here. Corral is a short walk down a dirt path. Enter the water along an imaginary line drawn from the edge of the easternmost house. There can be some rocks lurking in the sand, so be careful.
The third site I'd recommend is Paradise Cove. The problem here is the parking - $20. However if you eat at the restaurant, you don't have to pay the parking tab. Parking is very close to the beach, so you won't have to walk far. Paradise Cove is usually sheltered from the swell by Point Dume and the submarine Dume Canyon. Again, the usual critters are here. I know someone who hunts halibut here.
Be patient and wait for the lull! Enjoy the diving!
-Karen