San Onofre State Beach

California South
USA West
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This location, although great for surfers and sunners, probably will not have the best visibility for diving. The shallow reefs, however, do house a wide variety of marine life perfect for you underwater fishermen!

Directions: Located 3 miles South of San Clemente, and 19 miles North of Oceanside. From I-5, take the Basilone Exit South and travel 1.4 miles down the Old Highway 101.

Diver Reviews: (Please share your own experiences by clicking here!)

01/17/2004 Ron Clough (Avg: 2.03 Review) - Very shallow for a long, long way out (3-8ft). Mostly all cobble stones with no reef to speak of. Heavy surf makes this a popular surf spot. Not a good place to bring a beginner both because of the surf and the lack of reef life. This beach is also called Radiation Bay because of the nuclear power plant.

09/23/2002 Lance Smith (Avg: 2.80 Review) - We heard that this site has good vis sometimes, but this time it was around 5 ft. You have to swim quite a ways out (past the surfers) to get to the other side of the reef (we didn't make it that far). We scrubbed the dive after a short while, poor vis, very shallow. But the waves weren't bit but parking is hard to find, get there before 8am and park at the end (south) of the parking lot.

ShoreDiving Resources:

Additional Resources:

Dive Site Links: (If you have a relevant link for San Onofre State Beach, please write us here.)
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Site Photos

Maps
(what is GPS?) Photo
(click photo for a larger version) Comments

Entrance
Map Sat
GPS: CS0801
N33°22.5127'
W117°33.8833'

Follow the signs to the entrance, and be prepared to part with some your scuba fund.

Overview

Take a moment to visit the cliff by the entrance to pick your dive location.

Parking
Map Sat
GPS: CS0803
N33°22.4429'
W117°33.9729'

The drive is hard-packed sand, and will not be a problem for any car.

Overview
Map Sat
GPS: CS0804
N33°22.4185'
W117°34.0017'

The entry is about 50 yards from the parking.

Entry
Map Sat
GPS: CS0805
N33°22.4185'
W117°34.0017'

There's a bit of kelp to wade through, but few other hazards.

Last Verification: July, 2001

Diver Averages for San Onofre State Beach (1=worst, 5=best)

Average Site Condition
Ease of Shore Entry:	4.00
Bottom Conditions:	2.00
Reef Conditions:	2.00
Animal Life:	2.00
Plant Life:	2.00
Facilities:	3.00
Solitude:	2.50
Roads:	3.00
*Site Average:	2.42

Average Enjoyment Level
Snorkel:	3.00
Beginner Scuba:	2.00
Intermediate Scuba:	2.00
Advanced Scuba:	3.00
Night diving Scuba:	2.00

Number of reviews for this site: 2

314-4-5-8

San Onofre State Beach

California South USA West Home

Dive Site Links: (If you have a relevant link for San Onofre State Beach, please write us here.) No external links have been submitted.

Site Photos

California South
USA West
Home

Dive Site Links: (If you have a relevant link for San Onofre State Beach, please write us here.)
No external links have been submitted.