San Clemente Island
★★★★☆
(398)
San Clemente Island is Southern California’s best-kept secret. Most divers opt for the more popular Catalina Island or go south to the Coronados, but San Clemente is a great place to go on a short liveaboard trip from San Diego.
Sea lion encounters are highly likely here. You’ll also find the typical kelp forest life like garibaldi, opaleye, sheepshead, Cabazon, rockfish, gobies, and more.
Dive Activity & Environmental Conditions
Top Wildlife Sightings
Most frequently spotted marine life based on dive logs
#1
Garibaldi Damselfish
62
Total Sightings
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
#2
Sea Lion
24
Total Sightings
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
#3
Lobster
23
Total Sightings
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
#4
Spiny Lobster
20
Total Sightings
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
#5
Stingrays
12
Total Sightings
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
#6
Moray Eel
7
Total Sightings
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
#7
Grouper/Basslets
6
Total Sightings
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
#8
Crab
5
Total Sightings
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
#9
Grey Whale
3
Total Sightings
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
#10
Green Turtle
3
Total Sightings
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
