Explore California

California offers divers a unique underwater experience, celebrated for its stunning cold-water diving opportunities. The state is renowned for its spectacular kelp forests, where sunlight streams through the swaying kelp, creating an ethereal, otherworldly atmosphere. These majestic underwater forests are home to an incredible array of marine life, including the playful sea lions, colorful nudibranchs, and the occasional majestic whale. Divers can explore a variety of environments, from vibrant reefs teeming with life to the eerie allure of Wreck Alley. Shore diving in Southern California is particularly popular, with easy access to diverse underwater landscapes. Meanwhile, boat dives and multi-day liveaboard trips offer the chance to discover more remote locations such as the Channel Islands and Catalina Island. Each site presents its own unique charm, whether it's the bustling marine reserves or the historic shipwrecks. Seasonal temperature variations mean divers should be prepared with appropriate gear, like a thick wetsuit or drysuit, especially during cooler months. Whether you're a seasoned diver or a curious beginner, California's dive sites promise a memorable adventure filled with diverse marine encounters and breathtaking natural beauty.

Top Regions to Explore

Upcoming Events

  • Open Water Diver Course

    Open Water Diver Course

    You’re just one step away from becoming a certified diver—and we’d love to have you join us!Our SSI Open Water Diver Course is designed to be fun, supportive, and confidence-building, giving you everything you need to safely explore the underwater world.A $50 deposit secures your spot, and classes are kept small—so reserving early is the best way to guarantee your place.Your Course ScheduleClassroom (6:00 – 8:30 p.m.): July14,16,21 & 23Pool Sessions (9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.): July 18 & 19Ocean Training – Tahoe ( July 25 & 26)Complete your certification with an unforgettable weekend that includes:4 Lake dives1 snorkel divePlus, you’ll receive a FREE Dive Computer Class (a $125 value) to help you dive with confidence.Course PricingCourse Fee: $398 (Includes classroom instruction, pool sessions, and instructor-led open water dives)Personal Gear Package (required): $289 – $499 (Mask, snorkel, fins, boots, gloves & cutting devices)Plus mouthpieces for regulators. ➤ Receive a $100 rebate when gear is purchased through High Sierra Divers.Digital Learning Materials: $159.99 Normally $180.99 (SSI digital book, dive tables, certification card, and logbook)Rental Gear for Open Water Dives: Special rental rate when you purchase your basic gear for HSD.We provide all scuba gear for pool sessions, and rental gear is available for your ocean dives.Why Choose Us?✔ Small class sizes for personalized instruction ✔ Experienced, professional instructors ✔ Focus on safety, confidence, and enjoyment ✔ Ongoing support—even after certificationAdditional InformationMinimum age: 12 years and olderCourse duration: Approximately 2 weeksSmall group instruction focused on safety and confidenceReady to Get Started?Create your SSI Diver profile and connect with us here: https://www.divessi.com/en/homeOr simply reply to this email, call, or stop by the shop—we’ll take care of the rest.This is more than just a class—it’s the beginning of a lifetime of adventure. Don’t wait too long… spots fill quickly, and we’d love to see you in this upcoming session!Best regards,

    High Sierra Divers, 217 Palm Ave, 95603, Auburn, CA, USA
    July 14, 2026 +7 More
    $398.00
    Enriched Air Nitrox (40%)

    Enriched Air Nitrox (40%)

    SSI Enriched Air Nitrox Diver CourseExtend your dive time, shorten your surface intervals and spend more time exploring the dive sites you love, with the SSI Enriched Air Nitrox Specialty certification program.In this class, you will learn how to set your dive computer for Nitrox, determine the MOD of various Nitrox mixes, and test a Nitrox tank for its oxygen percentage. There are no required ocean or pool dives for a Nitrox class.As a Nitrox diver, you can increase your bottom times and safety margins, plus shorten your surface intervals - so you can spend more time diving and less time waiting! In this program, you will learn new skills and increase your diving knowledge while learning how to safely plan and dive with enriched air mixtures of up to 40% oxygen.Upon completion, you will earn an SSI Enriched Air Nitrox 32% or 40% certification.Take your diving to the next level with Enriched Air Nitrox (EAN)—one of the most valuable certifications a recreational diver can earn.Nitrox contains a higher percentage of oxygen than standard air, allowing for longer bottom times, reduced fatigue, and shorter surface intervals. It’s no surprise that divers have been safely using Nitrox since the late 1980s—and now it’s your turn to experience the benefits.Course OverviewThis entry-level specialty certification prepares you to safely plan and dive using Enriched Air Nitrox blends from EAN22 to EAN40.Upon successful completion, you will be certified to dive with Nitrox independently and may continue your training with the Advanced Nitrox Upgrade.What You’ll LearnHistory and evolution of Nitrox divingOxygen exposure and safety considerationsBenefits and limitations of EANGas handling and analysis proceduresDive planning using tables and computersEquipment considerations for Nitrox divingPhysics and physiology of enriched airScheduleLecture Session: ???? July 22 ???? 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM(Please confirm if this date works for you.)Course RequirementsCompletion of course materialsWritten examNo dives required—this is a classroom-based certification.PricingCourse Fee: $125SSI Digital Learning Kit: $99 (Includes certification card; student discount available at $89.99)Optional Hard Card: $25Bundle & SaveEnroll in an Advanced Adventure / Advanced Course along with Nitrox and receive: ✔ $50 off the Advanced course ✔ One complimentary EAN cylinder rental ✔ Additional cylinders available at $20 eachTotal savings: $70Ready to Dive Smarter?Nitrox is one of the easiest ways to extend your dive time and improve your overall diving experience. Spots are limited—secure yours today!Contact:

    High Sierra Divers, 217 Palm Ave, 95603, Auburn, CA, USA
    July 22, 2026
    $125.00

    Dive Activity

    Diving in California

    California offers a diverse range of diving experiences that captivate dive travelers. Among the top dive sites are the Channel Islands, renowned for their vibrant kelp forests and abundant marine life. Wreck diving enthusiasts will find allure in the Yukon, an artificial reef off San Diego, providing a hauntingly beautiful underwater landscape. For shore dives, La Jolla Cove is a prime spot, offering easy access and the chance to spot playful sea lions and colorful Garibaldi fish. Unique underwater experiences abound in California, with night dives revealing the bioluminescence of plankton and the nocturnal activities of marine creatures. Dive travelers can enjoy a balance between shore diving options, like Monterey Bay's rich biodiversity, and liveaboard adventures to more remote locations like the Farallon Islands. Whether exploring sunken ships or admiring the coastal marine life, California's dive sites promise unforgettable underwater journeys.

    Dive Centers

    Dive Sites

    The best Months to dive in California

    California offers diverse diving conditions throughout the year, with opportunities available across various seasons. During the summer, water temperatures average around 17°C/63°F, leading to warmer and more comfortable dives. Winter temperatures drop to about 13°C/55°F, requiring thicker wetsuits or drysuits. Visibility can range from 3 to 30 meters/10 to 98 feet depending on location and conditions, with clearer waters often found in offshore sites.

    Diving is possible year-round; however, certain factors can affect the experience. Winter months can bring stronger winds and currents, impacting surface conditions and visibility. Spring and fall are popular for their calmer seas and moderate temperatures. Overall, while diving is feasible at any time, divers should consider local weather patterns and coastal conditions when planning their trips for the best experience.

    Top Wildlife Sightings in California

    California's waters are teeming with marine life, making it a diver's paradise. Common reef fish include the bright orange Garibaldi and the colorful California sheephead, both easily spotted around kelp forests. These areas also host schools of blacksmith fish and opaleye, providing an animated underwater environment year-round.

    Seasonal highlights in California include sightings of leopard sharks and bat rays, especially during the warmer months along sandy bottoms and coastal shallows. Sea turtles, though less common, can occasionally be encountered in Southern California waters, while hammerhead sharks make rare appearances in summer. Divers might also be lucky to spot the majestic giant sea bass, a notable species often seen near reefs and wrecks.

    Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 7

    Sea Lion

    Sea Lion

    2.6k Sightings
    J
    106
    F
    116
    M
    204
    A
    244
    M
    270
    J
    257
    J
    274
    A
    292
    S
    272
    O
    274
    N
    205
    D
    135

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 300

    Octopus

    Octopus

    1.1k Sightings
    J
    59
    F
    67
    M
    63
    A
    82
    M
    82
    J
    41
    J
    125
    A
    119
    S
    157
    O
    117
    N
    100
    D
    57

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 200

    Moray Eel

    Moray Eel

    416 Sightings
    J
    4
    F
    15
    M
    15
    A
    14
    M
    36
    J
    38
    J
    61
    A
    86
    S
    48
    O
    38
    N
    40
    D
    21

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 600

    Wrasse

    Wrasse

    227 Sightings
    J
    11
    F
    5
    M
    16
    A
    14
    M
    3
    J
    23
    J
    39
    A
    62
    S
    24
    O
    14
    N
    13
    D
    3
    Bottlenose Dolphin

    Bottlenose Dolphin

    106 Sightings
    J
    4
    F
    14
    M
    14
    A
    5
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    14
    A
    21
    S
    0
    O
    22
    N
    12
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 7000

    Crab

    Crab

    3.6k Sightings
    J
    159
    F
    211
    M
    189
    A
    336
    M
    336
    J
    353
    J
    473
    A
    386
    S
    320
    O
    382
    N
    258
    D
    182
    Garibaldi Damselfish

    Garibaldi Damselfish

    3.5k Sightings
    J
    115
    F
    150
    M
    149
    A
    208
    M
    280
    J
    447
    J
    503
    A
    521
    S
    444
    O
    349
    N
    242
    D
    123

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 55

    Lobster

    Lobster

    1.6k Sightings
    J
    93
    F
    74
    M
    118
    A
    78
    M
    91
    J
    156
    J
    189
    A
    196
    S
    176
    O
    244
    N
    124
    D
    43

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    Spiny Lobster

    Spiny Lobster

    998 Sightings
    J
    36
    F
    22
    M
    51
    A
    52
    M
    61
    J
    64
    J
    150
    A
    153
    S
    175
    O
    132
    N
    68
    D
    34

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 80

    Stingrays

    Stingrays

    945 Sightings
    J
    49
    F
    83
    M
    46
    A
    60
    M
    79
    J
    71
    J
    131
    A
    98
    S
    96
    O
    97
    N
    72
    D
    63

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3000

    Nudibranch

    Nudibranch

    927 Sightings
    J
    38
    F
    77
    M
    50
    A
    105
    M
    105
    J
    79
    J
    97
    A
    97
    S
    56
    O
    106
    N
    72
    D
    45

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 600

    Crayfish

    Crayfish

    881 Sightings
    J
    3
    F
    1
    M
    11
    A
    9
    M
    30
    J
    114
    J
    136
    A
    253
    S
    199
    O
    79
    N
    44
    D
    2

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Grouper/Basslets

    Grouper/Basslets

    826 Sightings
    J
    11
    F
    22
    M
    8
    A
    65
    M
    71
    J
    77
    J
    140
    A
    187
    S
    115
    O
    79
    N
    46
    D
    5

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 19

    Seal

    Seal

    793 Sightings
    J
    48
    F
    24
    M
    77
    A
    63
    M
    52
    J
    76
    J
    79
    A
    83
    S
    91
    O
    91
    N
    74
    D
    35

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 35

    Trout

    Trout

    545 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    1
    M
    1
    A
    2
    M
    21
    J
    95
    J
    109
    A
    139
    S
    105
    O
    63
    N
    7
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 120

    Flounder

    Flounder

    488 Sightings
    J
    17
    F
    38
    M
    15
    A
    13
    M
    30
    J
    56
    J
    88
    A
    75
    S
    57
    O
    43
    N
    39
    D
    17

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 19

    Bass

    Bass

    257 Sightings
    J
    7
    F
    2
    M
    7
    A
    4
    M
    31
    J
    60
    J
    80
    A
    39
    S
    10
    O
    10
    N
    3
    D
    4

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3400

    Shrimp

    Shrimp

    242 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    0
    M
    4
    A
    13
    M
    28
    J
    22
    J
    41
    A
    26
    S
    36
    O
    38
    N
    30
    D
    2

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Pipefish

    Pipefish

    230 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    16
    A
    15
    M
    2
    J
    14
    J
    45
    A
    37
    S
    48
    O
    35
    N
    17
    D
    1
    Sea Otter

    Sea Otter

    215 Sightings
    J
    17
    F
    12
    M
    39
    A
    63
    M
    17
    J
    27
    J
    15
    A
    14
    S
    1
    O
    0
    N
    10
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 20

    Guitarfish

    Guitarfish

    190 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    4
    M
    10
    A
    24
    M
    26
    J
    16
    J
    28
    A
    41
    S
    16
    O
    21
    N
    2
    D
    2
    Moon Jellyfish

    Moon Jellyfish

    139 Sightings
    J
    7
    F
    2
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    7
    J
    16
    J
    11
    A
    10
    S
    9
    O
    21
    N
    23
    D
    33

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Scorpionfish

    Scorpionfish

    131 Sightings
    J
    15
    F
    5
    M
    0
    A
    17
    M
    1
    J
    4
    J
    5
    A
    12
    S
    27
    O
    22
    N
    11
    D
    12

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 20

    Sea Nettle

    Sea Nettle

    96 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    0
    M
    10
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    13
    J
    0
    A
    1
    S
    0
    O
    24
    N
    23
    D
    23

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