West coast winter diving?

[jl21]

Is there anywhere in CA to dive during the winter that does not need a dry suit? Lake... aquarium, anything?

[BuzzF117]

your best bet would be to google search if you want to dive aquarims but I know to work for Shed in Chicago you have to have logged min 20hrs diving time and commit certain number of days a month to even be considered.

[abcitydiver]

Hi Jl-
Most of the divers up here (southern mendocino coast) just use 7ml wetsuits....and you can always layers :-)

[msprzeor]

Originally Posted by jl21

Is there anywhere in CA to dive during the winter that does not need a dry suit? Lake... aquarium, anything?

How about the YMCA? The pool is usually heated

[Steve Scuba]

I've heard, though I have no history of empirical knowledge, that the waters around Monterey Bay are just as warm during the winter as in the summer. If that's the case, a 7mm suit would be fine. Of course, after you get out of the water, its rather cold, but there are many facilities nearby to warm up and grab a hot cocoa.

This link shows monthly water temps several spots along the CA coast. Santa Cruz water temps, for example, are only a few degrees colder in December than in July.

US NODC Coastal Water Temperature Guide

[navyhmc]

I've seen folks diving LaJolla in early Jan and Feb. not sure if it was a polar bear thing but they were all dry. They sadi the dives were good and the visib deep had opened up some. Alas I was unable to bring the gear with me to dive that trip.

[msprzeor]

We usually dive LaJolla year round, usually in drysuits, but 7mm would work as well. And while the vis is hit or miss, we tend to find the winter months are a bit clearer on the whole.

[robjoubert]

Originally Posted by jl21

Is there anywhere in CA to dive during the winter that does not need a dry suit? Lake... aquarium, anything?

The surface temp at Catalina Island's Casino Point stays in the low 60's until February - then it drops to the high 50's

Aquarium of the Pacific requires you to be a Rescue Diver and have CPR certification - and you have to commit as a volunteer for at least 4.5 hours a week: if interested go here http://www.volunteertools.com//Tools...5080&Key=10003