Difficulty
Unrated
Viz (last reported 137186h ago)
Max Depth
Unknown
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Malaga Cove
Malaga Cove contains reefs, kelp, sand and rock creatures. Take two tanks, if you have the time and energy!
Located in the posh Palos Verdes area, grab your street map and follow along: From the Pacific Coast Highway, head South on Palos Verdes Blvd for 1.4 miles. Turn right on Palos Verdes Drive West. In 1/4 mile, turn right on Via Corta which soon becomes Via Almar. Take your next right (Via Arroyo) to the view below.
Access
shore
Nearby Shops
Tide Report
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Chris Albertson
Sep 19, 2004, 12:00 AM
scuba
This is a very large shallow reef system. The rocks that make up the reefs are long, straight and all run parallel so navigation is easy. Just swim along parallel to the system to your turn around point. Many fish and bottom dwelling critters are here, too. Kelp over the rocks with eelgrass in the shallow water. The water remains 40ft or less to 1/2 mile off shore. Vis is 25+ on a good day
This would be excellent night diving but the parking is closed at 9:00pm so you can only night dive in winter. Before taking the gear out of your car check the conditions from the gazebo. If the surf is up, this is not a fun dive. Shoulder high breakers will push you into the rocks, and it is a wide surf zone. But many times the cove is lake-like. Exiting on the sandy beach is easy and recommended even if it does means a longer walk back. If the surf is up at Malaga go to Long Point (a.k.a Old Marinaland) as that beach faces the other direction and will likely be calm and has similar reefs
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