The top 20 dive and snorkel sites in Orange County, ranked by diver reviews, with maps and photos. Read the Orange County guide
Are you a new diver looking to get your fins wet in a forgiving environment? This is the place! Bring a couple of tanks, a picnic lunch, and sunscreen, and you'll be set for a very relaxing day. Located 1.8 miles North of South Laguna, and 2 miles South of Laguna Beach.
More rocky coastline and spectacular canyons await you at Shaw's cove. The diving is a breeze during good sea conditions. Make a left on Fairview Street about 3/4 mile North of Broadway and Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna. The entrance is at the intersection with Cliff.
Sandy bottom with Rays and sand sharks Direct from beach
Great reef and tide pool when waves are low. Added point of interest is Seal Rock, just west of the reef. Here many Harbor seals can be observed sunning themselves, and if your lucky, you may have find some playful seal waiting below the surface. A favorite dive.
Sea lions, Nudibranchs, sea Stars Southern end of Heisler Park
Lots of small to medium reef structure spread out in the sand. Bourgeoisie Cove is also known as Rich Man Cove.
Calico bass some kelp and halibut in the sand with rays. Western end of Dana Point San Juan Rocks is also known as Dana Point.
anemones and Sea Lions South of Hunington Beach
old barge that sunk in the 40 or 50...good photo opps. its about .5 of a mile from shore in front of a brown house with white windows... Cleo Street Barge is also known as Foss 125.
Invertebrates, Garaboldi Sheepshead, sea Stars North End of Main Beach
nudibranchs, Garibaldi, sheepshead and Sea Lions Center of Heisler Park
Little Corona Beach is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in USA, California, Orange County which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
Along the 600 block of Cliff Drive in Laguna Beach.
Watch for boat traffic in the area. Dead Man's can be hard to find. It requires a good half-hour surface swim headed south from the end of Crescent cove.
Be aware of the swell/waves. South in Laguna. Enter to the right of the big rock on shore
Sharks and sea lions some big fish South-West of Hunington Beach Oil Rig Eureka is also known as Eureka Oil Rig.
Student dive spot: Sand and rock bottom with Moray eels, Lobsters... Best diving is on the outer edge of the reef between Diver's Cove and Boat Canyon. Cracks in the reef go deep in the rock, some as wide as four feet and as high as fifteen feet. Harbor seals frequently play in these channels. In Laguna Beach, along the 600 block of Cliff Drive. Park Metered street parking. Sandy beach entry. Reef is in front of the condos.
Saw a lot of interesting things. By boat or by shore. Aliso is also known as Aliso Beach.
Based on Zentacle reviews, the top-rated sites in Orange County are Aliso Beach Park (4.8 from 6 reviews), Shaws Cove (4.5 from 39 reviews) and Laguna Beach (4.5 from 2 reviews).
The top-rated beginner sites are Shaws Cove (4.5 from 39 reviews), Laguna Beach (4.5 from 2 reviews) and Crescent Cove (4.0 from 1 review).
Aliso Beach Park, Shaws Cove, Laguna Beach and Crescent Cove are the top-rated sites you can enter from shore.
Zentacle lists 11 dive shops in Orange County. The top-rated are Scuba.com (4.9 from 784 reviews) and Dive and Photo (4.8 from 41 reviews).
