Anyone out in Malibu?

[coadavid]

Hey guys! First post ever. I normally go to Laguna Beach, CA, but I'm trying to find a good spot in Malibu. Anyone know of anything in that area (or the greater LA area for that matter)?

[BatRay]

Greetings, and welcome to DB! Check out 'Find a Buddy and Places to Dive', or the 'California/West Coast' subforum. I'm sure that there are other Malibu divers around here, or close to it. Good luck, and glad you're here

[garyc]

Try the kelp off of Deer Creek Road just North of County Line (Neptune's Net Resturant) or Leo Carrillo Park. Both are North of Malibu. Both are fishy. The guy who puts out California Diving News sells a good guide book for shore diving SoCal.

[Lockedin]

Originally Posted by garyc

Try the kelp off of Deer Creek Road just North of County Line (Neptune's Net Resturant) or Leo Carrillo Park. Both are North of Malibu. Both are fishy. The guy who puts out California Diving News sells a good guide book for shore diving SoCal.

Both those spots are great, when there's good vis. Average vis is usually sub 10ft. inshore, and up to 20-30ft further out, sometimes better.

Deer Creek is a few miles west of Leo Carillo (Malibu faces south). It's a rock reef system with a kelp bed extending about 1/4 mi. out, and about 1/8 mi wide. The inner reefs start at the low tide line and get to depths of appx 15ft, the outer reefs drop to about 40ft. Huge White Sea Bass (WSB), Kelp Bass, and Halibut are common game fish. Access is a fairly short stairway, to either sand or rocks, depending on surf action. Surf entries are possible up to 3 - 4ft.

Leo Carillo is a much larger playing field, extending from Zuma beach, to County Line. From Leo, a kayaker can go out up to 3/4 mi out, and paddle 2-3mi east, or 2-3 mi. west, and still be in the kelp bed; it isn't hard to paddle from Leo to Deer Creek (great workout when you're paddling into the wind, current and swell) Depths are from the shoreline to 60ft. Huge White Sea Bass (WSB), Kelp Bass, and Halibut are common game fish, and lobster can be caught in season. Surf entries are possible up to 6-8ft, but getting back in can be rough Access is either by stairs, or along PCH.

coadavid, pm me when you'd like to come up.

[VaclavH]

Point Dume. If you park on top of the hill and then climb walk down the stairs. It's shalow first but then it goes down. The only down is parking can be difficult to find there , especialy on weekens and there can be strong curent. Leo Carillo is a fun dive and if you want to do some dept then Veterans park ( between Redondo beach and Kings Harbor) is good spot. Let me know if you are interested in doing some dives together.
Vaclav