Point Loma Kelp Beds
San Diego (off Point Loma) · near San Diego (Point Loma) · San Diego
Scuba & Snorkel
At a glance
- Difficulty
- intermediate
- Depth
- 70
- Water temperature
- 58–70°F · 7mm wetsuit
- Best season
- Summer/fall clearest
Permits and booking
- Permit required
- No
- How the permit works
- No permit. Boat-access only — charters from San Diego/Mission Bay. One of the largest and healthiest kelp forests on the West Coast, running for miles off Point Loma in 30–70 ft. Generally clearer than the sandy beach sites. Multiple entry points along the bed; boat-diving standard.
What is here
- Marine life
- Vast healthy kelp forest · Garibaldi, sheephead, bass · Lobster, octopus, rays · Occasional pelagics & sea lions
- Features
- Miles of pristine kelp forest · Some of San Diego's clearest water · Classic California kelp diving · Rich reef & sand-channel life
Worth knowing
- Certification required
- Yes
- Dogs
- Not permitted
- Good for a first timer
- No
Scuba & Snorkel detail
- Dive type
- scuba
- Entry
- boat
- Viz
- 20–50 ft (some of SD's clearest)
- Intl tip
- Boat-only — charter from San Diego/Mission Bay. Generally clearer than the beach sites; summer/fall is best. Comfort diving in kelp is helpful. Combine with Wreck Alley for a two-tank San Diego charter day. The beds are vast — operators pick the best spot for conditions. A healthy, classic California kelp forest.
The guide
The Point Loma Kelp Beds form one of the largest and healthiest kelp forests on the West Coast — miles of golden canopy running…
In the Guidebook
Everything above is yours for free. The written guide to Point Loma Kelp Beds — what it is actually like, and what we would tell a friend before they went — comes with the Guidebook.
Getting there
- Coordinates
- 32.669, -117.256