Best time to dive San Diego?

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We're considering taking a week to visit friends in SD, and since they'll be hard at work during the day that'll mean diving!

I thought I'd ask the local experts a few questions about the best time to go. So what would be best, end of June/beginning of July? Or beginning of October?

I don't think water temperature will be an issue, but vis and general water conditions could certainly influence our choice. Or any other factor that could make one time better than the other.

[HBDiveGirl]

Fall.
Fall.
Fall.

It's the best season for diving SoCal, generally offering the best viz, waters packed with seasonal life, and a minimum of windy storms.

I dive all year long, but every year I look forward to fall.

October is excellent.

~~~
Claudette

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Thanks for the tip Claudette!

Now we need to read more about SoCal diving so we can plan this properly, if anybody has websites to recommend I'm listening.

[HBDiveGirl]

Thanks for the tip Claudette!

Now we need to read more about SoCal diving so we can plan this properly, if anybody has websites to recommend I'm listening.

If I were planning this to show visiting divers the best of SoCal, I'd plan the biggest days first: Boat diving.
Then look at shore diving on the days in between.

San Diego shore diving is relatively exposed to ocean swells.
If the sea is calm, you can shore dive to your hearts content, preferably with a friendly local diver to get you to the best spots quickly.
La Jolla Cove or La Jolla Shores are wonderful dives when the ocean cooperates.
But should the swell come up, and the littoral visibility go down, if you're not boat diving, you're likely not diving.

By booking boat dive days first, you'll up your chance of diving on any given day.
Leave open days in between so you're free to shore dive should the place be Lake Placid when you arrive.

I love diving the Point Loma kelp beds and Wreck Alley.
The Marissa is my favorite boat, and the Lois Ann also does an excellent job.
I've never had the opportunity to dive with The Yellow Boat, but I would in a heart beat as I hear all rave reviews.

If you can, look at the Horizon and see if you can go for a 1-day or 2-day trip to the Channel Islands nearest to S.D.: Catalina and/or San Clemente.
Fall is also a great time for Cortes Banks. If the swell is uncooperative, they easily divert to Cat or San Clemente and you still have a good trip.
Fantastic boat.
Fantastic crew.
A couple of days on the Horizon is a beautiful experience on Planet Earth.
World class diving.

Enjoy the planning!

~~~~~
Claudette

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Thanks again for all the info!