Scuba Diving in San Diego

Southern California divers can be a bit vain when they’re abroad, relentlessly comparing exotic dives to sites at home. Those that scuba dive in San Diego may be the worst — not surprising, given that they have access to some of the world’s best diving on any given day. Happily, this bounty is available to all, including thousands of divers who visit the area each year.

The kelp forest is often the first thing that comes to mind when California diving is mentioned; in San Diego, the choices are unmatched. La Jolla Cove, accessible by shore entry, requires a bit of parking savvy and patience, since the area is often crowded with swimmers, snorkelers and tourists.

Wreck enthusiasts are thoroughly spoiled in San Diego, where a collection of purpose-sunk ships forms world-famous Wreck Alley. While pinnipeds can be encountered at any California dive site, there’s one surefire way for divers to immerse themselves in sea lion soup: Take a day trip over the border to Mexico.

San Diego also has a more obscure underwater attraction: critter diving.Submarine canyons immediately offshore dip abruptly to depths of more than 600 feet, providing a density of marine life that is matched by few other places in California.