What are the best diving and snorkeling locations in southern california? Lobster and spear fishing locations?
157206
I've done a lot of diving, spear fishing and snorkeling in Southern California and my favorite places are Casino Point on Catalina Island for diving and snorkeling and the Channel Islands for lobstering and spear fishing. You can take a boat to Catalina for around $50. The boat to the channel Islands is about $65 - $75 and includes 4 air fills. The name of the boats are The Liberty and The Specter. They are 100 foot liveaboard boats and leave out of Channel Island Harbour in Ventura Ca.
23719
Great decision!\n\nThere are many places to get certified in San Francisco, but I favor Tom Yang at California Dive Center in San Bruno.\n\nSincere and dedicated, Tom makes diving enjoyable.  He pays attention to his students, and makes sure that you are safe and having a good time.  Very patient.  Tom gets a lot of recommendations, a significant portion of his class is referrals.\n\nWhen we moved back to the Bay Area, I called three instructors and decided that Tom was the best for us.  My recommendation would be to do the same.  Get at least two more recommmendations and talk to each of them.\n\nDiving is a lot of fun, and your dive instruction is an important part.  There are a lot of instructors, each with his/her unique style.  Having an instructor that you get along with and has a teaching style that you like will be very helpful.  Everyone learns differently, so teaching style and personality of the instructor is important.\n\nEnjoy!
845978
Palau is one of the most extraordinary diving spots on this planet. Far to the southwest of Micronesia the Republic of Belau (the traditional name) consists of an archipelago of 343 islands, spread north to south over 100 miles form the atoll of Kayangel to the island of Angaur plus five tiny islands, known as the southwest islands. \n\nPalau's profuse, unspoiled reefs offer a wealth of marine life, coral formations and wrecks. Dives begin in knee deep water and plunge straight down to depths of 1000 feet and more. \nBlue holes, huge caverns and an immense variety of rare and exotic marine species are easily accessible in clear water with visibility exceeding 200 feet. Vast numbers, not found anywhere else in the world, of large pelagic predators, sharks, turtles, dolphins and many species of migratory fish gather here at a unique crossroads of three of the world's major ocean currents. Land locked marine lakes, accessible from the sea through tunnels beneath the island's steep shorelines, are home to rare jelly fish, anemones and soft corals. \n\nPalau's famed "Rock Islands" are a collection of rounded, foliage-covered isles which seem to float above the surface of the water. A boat trip through them will reveal a number of magnificent white sand beach hideaways perfect for a secluded picnic or adventurous overnight stay. Below the water's surface, divers and snorkelers are treated to a diverse technicolor paradise of fabulous drop-offs, blue holes , breathtaking reefs, crystal caves and World War II wrecks. \n\nDiving & Snorkeling\nPalau offers an enormous number of diversified diving experiences not duplicated anywhere else in the world. There are over 100 different dive sites in and around the 90 mile coral lagoon and adjacent islands. \nPalau was named the Number One Underwater Wonder of the World by CEDAM -- a group of marine scientists and conservationists. \nOver 1300 types of fish inhabit the region, including manta rays, barracuda, sharks and giant clams. \nThe world famous Rock Islands are a divers "must" with magnificent wall diving at such legendary sites as Blue Corner, Ngmelis Drop-off, Blue Hole and Peleliu Corner. \nBecause of the clarity of the waters, snorkeling is excellent in or near almost all of the famous dive sites of Palau. \n\n Other Activities\nThere are a number of sightseeing tours available to visitors, including: \n\nRock Island Tour--boat ride around Palau's famous Rock Islands with picnicking \nStone Faces and Monoliths of Ngarchelong--hike through traditional villages and lovely jungle scenery to mysterious and ancient stone monoliths left by the early Palauans \nBelau National Museum--the oldest in Micronesia, offering a history of Palau through its handicrafts and artifacts. A fine example of a traditional bai (men's house) sits on the property. \nHelicopter Tours \nAir Tours \nAdventure Kayaking \nScuba Diving--various packages available \n\nCarp Island Resort\nCarp Island Resort, located on Ngercheu Island, sanctuary to frigate birds, white egrets and a variety of additional bird life, near the fabulous Ngemelis Dropoff, offers panoramic views of the Rock Islands. White sand beaches, littered with seashells, lure sunbathers. Daily transfers, a one hour boat ride from the city of Koror, depart the island at 8:00am and return at 4:00pm.\n\nComfortable accomodation ranges from individual bungalows, duplex seaside cottages and the divehouse, dormitory style for the budget conscious traveler or diver. The island restaurant offers a variety of choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Seafood specials must be requested 24 hours in advance.\n\nCoral reefs teeming with brilliant marine life furnish world class diving for every level of certification, and snorkelers, alike. Certification courses are available at the dive center. Sports fishing excursions, bottom, casting and trawling, are available.
1171690
How about fishing at White River state park near Tampa Bay?\n\nGreat Park with lots of Gators and lots of fish.
1016915
If you are referring to Scuba diving agencies (ie. PADI, SSI, NAUI, etc), the major ones all meet a mimimum standard of skills required to be Open Water certified.  While there are some differences, the biggest factor in your traininig with these agencies will be the instructor.\n\nI would also recommend the course that has the most in water time.   It is tempting to go with the cheapest and fastest training, but the more time/practice you have, the better diver you will be.\n\nPlease see the included source for questions to ask an instructor and have a great time!\n\nBut since you ask about schools, if you are in the Los Angeles area, you are lucky.  The LA County program is one of the oldest (if not the oldest) programs in the US, the recognized as being the most thorough.  This program exceeds the standards of the other more popular agencies (PADI, SSI, NAUI, etc.)
475129
Next to Sedona. I been there several times. Bring plenty of water
491508
try the Santa Monica bay. just spear the floaters!
639485
There are quite a few places around southern california...Unfortunatley it is hard for me to tell you the exact location...I would reccomend you buy this book...Its about 12 bucks and will give you all of the locations with maps...Gem Trails of Southern California\nhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0935182837/104-1279614-2312742?v=glance&n=283155
647313
Contact the Sportfishing landings, in So.Cal.\nThey use the same rods, as loaners, for tourists. They might have a plan to help you, or a suggestion on where to turn.
1159130
try the padi website, or go to japan's website (every country has it's own website, or the embassy does anyway,...) and search for scuba diving, or check hotels near the coast line and see if they've got anything
269758
a holiday as a break? Like, mostly relaxing? I definitely reccomend the San Diego/Los Angeles area. You don't have to go to all these shows and stuff they have there - the coolest thing is swimming in the warm ocean water (warm for California at least.)
1079287
I have not done a lot of fishing in that area, but I recently got a book called "Fly Fishing the Tahoe Region" which covers part of that area.  Really had some great information.  Also, check out the Northern CA Fly Fishing Board... you can ask pretty much any Nor Cal fly fishing question and get a lot of great responses.
322348
There are a ton of great places in CA, so, it will depend on where you live, how far you want to go and what your skill level is.\n\nUp north... \n- The Upper Sacramento (above Lake Shasta) has about 40 miles of river available with a good, strong population of rainbows.\n- The McCloud is one of the most beautiful rivers you'll find anywhere.\n- The Pit has tough wading and fiesty bows.\n- Hat Creek/Fall River are both spring creeks that offer a good challenge.\n- Lower Sacramento in and below Redding has some of the largest trout in the state, but a boat is often required to fish it (especially at high flows).\n- N. Fork of the Feather has some great water.\n\nfurther south you still have a pick of rivers, but they tend to be a little shorter either in fishable water or season... Putah Creek, Merced, the Stan, Calaveras.\n\nTahoe has the Truckee and tons and tons of little creeks.\n\nFurther South you have fewer and fewer options... although you do have the Kings, Ownes, Hot Creek and Piru Creek... just to mention the few that spring to mind.\n\nCA has a TON of water and finding the right spot for your style is all part of the fun.  Be sure to check the regulations for whatever water you select, as they can vary dramatically.\n\nThe main season doesn't start until the last Sat. in April and the rivers are likely to be pretty high with all the rain and snow we've had.
651474
I live in California.  Where else can you go surfing in the morning and that same night?  You can even throw in a stop at Disneyland in between!
51694
Don't know about northeast lobster, but the link below has some pictures of what a florida lobster can do to a diver's finger.\n\nYou will also need a license for catching lobster.
533705
Try snorkeling.  The water is beautiful!  GOD bless.
111057
Mammoth lake is a huge spot. All along califronia are places where you can find the training areas for many olympic athletes