San Diego's Water Conditions
San Diego's underwater environment is ever-evolving, with water temperature and visibility conditions that can shift from one hour to the next. Traditionally, fall is hailed as the prime season for snorkeling and diving in the region. It often treats divers to relatively warmer waters and unparalleled visibility. But, of course, this isn't set in stone. Nature always keeps us on our toes.
Water Temperature & Visibility by Season
| Fall | Winter | Spring | Summer |
Surface temperature | 61° - 68° F | 58° - 60° F | 58° - 64° F | 62° - 73° F |
Depth temperature | 55° - 60° F | 52° - 56° F | 46° - 50° F | 50° - 55° F |
Local visibility | 20 - 40 ft | 15 - 30 ft | 10 - 15 ft | 15 - 30 ft |
Mexico visibility | 40 - 100 ft | 30 - 70 ft | 30 - 50 ft | 30 - 60 ft |
Again, these are simply averages. We regularly witness exceptions, and the ocean sometimes has surprises in store.
Current Conditions
If you are data-driven, we've been diligently recording specific conditions, trip by trip, since 2021. Our historical data covers metrics like surface temperature, bottom temperature, wind speed, wind direction, swell height, swell period, and visibility for each of the dives.
💧 You can delve into our comprehensive conditions report here.
For a broader perspective on the sea state, you might find the NOAA waters forecast valuable. It offers a macro view of the conditions to expect over the next 5 days.
Wetsuit Thickness & Exposure Protection
To guarantee your comfort and safety in Southern California's chilly waters, appropriate exposure protection is a must.
While snorkelers can get away with thinner surf wetsuits or even just a bathing suit in the hottest summer months, the standard minimum outfit for diving is a 7mm wetsuit, complemented by a hood, booties, and gloves.
Here's a quick gear guide for those diving in our waters:
Wetsuit: A minimum of 7mm wetsuit.
Hood: A thickness of 5-7mm is recommended.
Booties: Aim for 5-7mm to keep your feet cozy.
Gloves: Generally, a 3-5mm pair should suffice.
You're welcome to rent 7mm wetsuits, hood, booties, and gloves from us, but if you are certified and would like to rent a drysuit, we recommend doing so from Beyond Land Adventures or Ocean Enterprises.
Buddy & Solo Divers
Don't worry if you're coming solo, as we'll be happy to pair you up with a buddy on board, aiming to match you with someone of similar goals and experience (for those coming with a buddy, we might ask you to welcome solo divers into your dive group).
Solo divers are welcome only if they carry the necessary safety equipment and hold an acceptable self-reliant/solo diver certification.
🧜♂️ If you're a new diver, new to salt or cold water diving, or you prefer to not be paired up with someone you haven't met before, consider adding a tour guide to your reservation.
Tanks, Weights & Air Fills
Complimentary Tanks
For your convenience, all our trips come equipped with complimentary tanks and weights. Depending on the vessel:
Orion: AL80 tanks, one tank per dive (no air compressor)
Humboldt: LP steel 85s, one tank per diver, (onboard air compressor)
AL80 Nitrox tanks are available for rent on either vessel (no onboard Nitrox refills)
Given that boat assignments are determined close to your trip date, we suggest bringing one tank per dive if you have specific requirements. Beyond Land Adventures and Ocean Enterprises are our go-to suggestions for renting more specific tanks.
👍 Our charters accommodate a variety of setups, including HP tanks, CCRs, doubles, or any preferred tank configuration.
Complimentary Weights
We supply hard led weights in 2, 3, 4, and 5-pound increments.
While our rental BCDs feature integrated weight pockets, we also offer complimentary weight belts for those who prefer them.
Our attentive crew is on hand to assist with weight checks before your initial dive, ensuring you're perfectly balanced for the experience ahead.
Hunting & Harvesting
Lobster, Sea Urchins & Scallops
You're invited to hunt lobster, sea urchins, and scallops from our licensed commercial fishing vessels. To do so, ensure you're prepared with:
Valid California Fishing License (buy online or at our neighbor Seaforth Sportfishing)
Catch bag
Lobster Report Card (lobster only)
Lobster Gauge (lobster only)
Lights (suggested, not mandatory)
While sea urchins and scallops can be harvested year-round in San Diego, California spiny lobster season typically runs from the last Saturday in September to the first Wednesday after the 15th of March.
Be sure to check the current California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations for any updates on harvesting lobsters, sea urchins, and scallops. This includes size limits, catch limits, and specific areas where collecting may be restricted or prohibited.
Spearfishing
For the safety of our guests, we only allow spearfishing on our private dive charters.
San Diego Local Marine Life
Marine Mammals
Sea Lions
Playful creatures often found around La Jolla Reefs and a guaranteed sighting at the Coronado Islands, a year-round sea lion rookery paradise.
Dolphins
Commonly spotted in both nearshore and offshore waters, including bottlenose and Pacific white-sided dolphins.
Gray Whales
Commonly observed along the coast during their migration from Alaska to Baja California from December through April.
Blue Whales
The largest animals on the planet, visible during their migration season, typically from May through September.
Humpback Whales
Known for their spectacular breaching behavior, seen during their migration season, typically from December through April.
Sea Turtles
Though rare, green sea turtles can occasionally be spotted, especially around areas with seagrass like the Marine Room in La Jolla.
Sharks
Sevengill Sharks
Common sightings in kelp forests and canyons off Point Loma or La Jolla during late winter through early summer, their breeding season.
Horn Sharks
Small, bottom-dwelling sharks commonly found in kelp forests and sandy areas, recognizable by their blunt head and horn-like spines.
Leopard Sharks
Best observed by snorkeling in the shallow waters of La Jolla Shores during the summer and early fall.
🦈 Against common belief, there is no Great White Shark cage diving in San Diego.
Some San Diego companies organize multi-day trips to the Mexican Guadalupe Islands – most leaving from Ensenada, Mexico.
Fish
Giant Black Sea Bass
Frequently seen in the kelp forests of San Diego, they are a majestic sight and highly sought after by underwater photographers for their impressive size and demeanor.
Garibaldi
California's state marine fish, easily recognizable by their bright orange color, commonly seen around kelp beds and rocky shores.
California Sheephead
Distinguished by their black heads and tails with a red mid-section, commonly found around kelp beds and rocky areas.
Kelp Bass
Often found in and around kelp beds and rocky environments, a common sighting in most of our dives.
Bat Rays
Often found gliding along sandy bottoms of La Jolla and around kelp forests.
Sargo
These fish are usually found in shallow, rocky habitats and around kelp forests.
Giant Kelpfish
Camouflaged within the kelp forests, these fish blend perfectly with their surroundings.
Cabezon
A large, bottom-dwelling fish often found in kelp forests and rocky areas, known for their camouflaging abilities.
Yellowtail
A popular game fish, often seen around offshore kelp forests and at the Wreck Alley.
Invertebrates
Spiny Lobsters
Located in rocky crevices and kelp forests, especially around Point Loma and La Jolla.
Octopuses
Including the California two-spot octopus, hiding in crevices and showing remarkable camouflage skills.
Moray Eels
Green and California moray eels can be spotted in rocky crevices.
California Sea Cucumber
These echinoderms are commonly found on the ocean floor, providing a unique sight with their soft, elongated bodies.
Nudibranchs
An incredible variety of colorful sea slugs found on the ocean floor in coral-rich areas.
Sand Dollar Colonies
A fascinating species to observe along sandy ocean floors like La Jolla Shores.
Starfish (Sea Stars)
Including the ochre sea star and the giant spined star, found clinging to rocks, some wrecks, and within kelp forests.
Purple Sea Urchins
Often found in kelp forest environments in large quantities.