Cost of Scuba Diving in San Diego
Scuba diving in San Diego starts at USD 170 for amateurs. These packages do not require previous diving experience. Participants must be 13 years or older, and must know how to swim. These dives take 4 hours to complete, and includes a 2 hour basic class on scuba diving. This is followed by a one hour shallow dive where participants can familiarize themselves with the equipment and communication and underwater signals used in the dive. The participants can then complete an open sea dive with the instructor, with dives reaching a depth of 25 ft. You can witness the vibrant marine life and unique underwater terrain of the San Diego coast as part of the experience.
Certification requires participants to undergo tuition and multiple dives under certified instructors. The basic certification starts at USD 495 for group sessions, and includes 4 open sea dives with an instructor.Certified divers have the opportunity to explore the famous dive spots off the San Diego coast, with a single tank dive starting from USD 100. However, packages to Wreck Alley and Islas Coronados are much more expensive as divers will have to take a dive boat to reach these locations.
Best Diving Schools in San Diego
Scuba divers are mandated by California law to have a scuba diving certification for unguided dives. The accepted certifications include Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), Scuba Schools International (SSI), Rebreather Association of International Divers (RAID) and National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI). The certifications help schools and tours understand the level of expertise a diver has, which can vary from the basic Open Water Certification to the much more skilled Divemaster rank. Most dive schools and tour operators will require your Scuba Certification Card as proof that you meet the requirements.
Listed below are a few diving schools in San Diego that will help you get started on your journey of scuba diving.1. San Diego Scuba Center
Address - 4101 Sweetwater Road, Bonita, CA 91902
Timings - 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Ph. No: (619)850-5752
Email: [email protected]
2. Dive California
Timings - 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Ph. No: (619)878-3483
Email: [email protected]
3. Scuba Diving San Diego
Address - 324 Horton Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101
Ph No: (619)758-4040
Email: [email protected]
4. Scuba San Diego
Address - 8008 Girard Ave #190, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
Ph No: (619)260-1880
Email: [email protected]
5. San Diego Scuba Guide
Ph No: (858)397-8213
Email: [email protected]
Best Time to Go Scuba Diving in San Diego
The best time to go scuba diving in San Diego would be between August and October. During these months, divers experience calm sea conditions and great visibility underwater, making it ideal to explore the marine treasures of San Diego. The temperature of the water is around 59℉ to 72℉ on the surface, with the temperatures decreasing as the depth increases. Great weather conditions on the surface also make the overall dive experience in San Diego a memorable one.Scuba diving is not recommended during the winter season due to the extremely rough underwater currents, which can be a challenge to even the most seasoned divers.
The 6 Best Dive Sites in San Diego
While most divers associate scuba diving with the coast of La Jolla, here are a few other places as well that make San Diego a real pleasure for scuba diving enthusiasts.1. La Jolla Shores Canyon
La Jolla Shores is a slanted entry into the Pacific Ocean, where divers can find rays and angel fish along the sand shores. The slope eventually gives way to a huge 600 ft. drop into the Canyon. Here, one can be amazed by the spectacular marine ecosystem that has developed, with seagrass and hard corals playing home to octopii, crabs and an eye-catching assortment nudibranch.
2. La Jolla Cove and Giant Kelp Forest
La Jolla Cove is amongst the most spectacular shore dives in the area. On entry, one can find themselves being greeted by sea lions, which may even play around with you. Divers will then reach the beautiful emerald kelp forest at around 35 ft., that will leave you enchanted. Divers can also spot the Garibaldi, the state fish of California, as well as nesting horn sharks. The rocky seabed is home to numerous lobsters and octopus that will leave you awestruck.
3. Wreck Alley
Wreck Alley is a world famous scuba diving site located a few miles off the San Diego coast. The alley is the resting place of 8 sunken ships, with the most famous ones being the HMCS Yukon and Ruby E. coast guard cutter. These wreck dives are not easy due to the sudden current changes, but one can watch the wreck of these ships. The aft guns and turrets of the Yukon still intact and covered by anemones and California scorpionfish, while the red gorgonians and pink corynactis covering the Ruby E. would remind one of the Rose Bowl.
4. Point Loma
Located much further inland than La Jolla, the colder waters and ocean waters of Point Loma result in more nutrients to the marine ecosystem, which results in a diverse blend. The dive reaches a maximum depth of 120 ft. Divers can experience a wonderful array of colors thanks to the variety of nudibranchs, Garibaldi and kelpfish, surrounded by the imposing kelp forests.
5. Marine Room Reef Dives
This dive is a great experience for amateur divers with a love for marine life. One can spot baby seals playing in the area, apart from the shoals of anchovies and mackerels. During autumn, one can also spot gray whales that are migrating as well. The seafloor is home to spiny kelp and sheep crabs, which camouflage with the rocks on the seabed.
6. Islas Coronados
Twenty miles of the San Diego coast, Islas Coronados is a boat trip away from the mainland. Divers here get to swim amongst the pinnipeds, with sea lions and harbor seals living here. The sea lion colony on the island is amongst the liveliest, and despite the rather shallow dive of 40 ft., divers get their money’s worth watching the comical antics of these mammals.
Aren't you eager to try scuba diving in San Diego? Tell us in the comments.