Water Temperature and Visibility

     Depending on location, the sea surface temperature can reach a low of around 50°F (10°C) in the winter months and may get up to 75°F (24°C) in the late summer.   At depth the water temperature can range from a low of 48°F (9°C) to a high of 72°F (22°C).   In general the water temperature becomes colder to North and warmer to the South.   Santa Catalina and San Clemente islands are usually the warmest sites, with San Miguel island always the coldest because of the deep water upwelling at Point Conception.
     Most divers wear a full 1/4" (7mm) thick or equivalent wet suit year round, with full hood, boots and gloves.   Some divers even wear dry suits with a minimal undergarments in the summer and thicker ones in the late winter.   A shorty or thin "warm water" suit just doesn't cut it in our waters, especially during our live-aboard trips where you'll be making many repetitive dives.   If visiting from out of the area, we can refer you to a local dive shop and help make arrangements to rent gear such as suits, tanks and weights.

     Locally, water visibility is considered to be poor when it is 30'; average when 60'; and great when some sites will see 80' to more than 100'.   The best visibility occurs in fall and winter months, so long as we don't have any heavy rain which can cause run-off and worsen visibility.   Summer months are great to enjoy the warm surface temperatures and get a good tan.   However as the water warms up plankton will bloom slightly reducing visibility.  Even though, summer diving is still excellent and very pleasant time to visit.   Our personal favorite time of the year to dive is October, when the water is the warmest it gets, visibility is good and it is also bug season!   It makes for perfect night diving conditions.

Air Temperatures

     Southern California's air temperatures are mild and reach in the high 70's to 80's, possibly higher, during the summer months.  Winter temperatures can drop down to a brisk (by our standards) 60's.  Bring a light jacket or windbreaker for evenings because on the water the nights can cool down and you may get chilled.  Some will bring sleeping bags to cozy up in after a long day of diving.  Summers are great for sunning on our spacious sun deck and even winter days have sunny or hazy overcast days.  Bring sun protection any time of the year.

Sea Conditions

     Sometimes the seas are flat calm, even up to 80 miles offshore.  And sometimes the seas get a bit rough.  Given the unpredictable disposition of mother nature, our trip destinations are not guaranteed.  Rarely are trips canceled due to bad weather.  Do not "assume" that a trip is canceled is the weather outside is poor.  At times when it is raining onshore the sea may be dead calm.  Often, we will divert to a calmer spot, or tuck into the lee of one of the islands.  This decision is at the sole discretion of the captain.  Weather conditions can change dramatically in just 24 hours.

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	Southern California Scuba Diving Ocean & Weather Condition Links

• Rain or Shine Five Day Forecast: Los Angeles
• Intellecast Southern California Radar Precipitation Image & Loop
• Color Digital Relief Map of Southern California Dive Destinations
• NWS B&W & Color Southern California Sea Surface Temperature Map
• US Navy Sea Surface Temperature (Color): Southern California, West Coast, NE Pacific, & World
• US Navy: Large Color Map of North American Sea Surface Temperature & Anomalies
• US Navy: Large Color Map of Global Sea Surface Temperature & Anomalies
• Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies (Australian Bureau of Meteorology)
• National Weather Service Southern California Marine Weather Forecast
• National Weather Service Southern California Offshore Marine Forecast
• National Weather Service Southern California Surf Forecast
• U.S. Navy Postgraduate School Profiler Winds for Southern California Old & New
• SFSU Composite Weather Map, Pressure, and Wind Surface, 500mb, 300mb, & Key
• SFSU West Coast Enhanced Infrared, Wind, & Surface Pressure Map & Key
• SFSU Southern California Surface Radar & Wind Map & Key
• UCSB ICESS So. Cal. Coast Near IR (430Kb) & Sea Surface Temperature
• UCSB ICESS Sea Surface Temperature Image Library: Santa Barbara & Catalina Channels
• NOAA 1 km resolution Visible Satellite Image of Southern California (210Kb)
• NOAA GOES-10 Western US Visible, Infrared, & Water Vapor Satellite Images
• NRL GOES-10 Coastal California Visible, Infrared, & Water Vapor Satellite Images
• NRL GOES-10 Visable - Malibu to Mexico, Catalina, San Clemente, & Cortes Bank: Photo & Mpeg
• NRL GOES-10 Visable - Southern California: Photo, Mpeg, & Large Mpeg
• NRL GOES-10 Visable - NE Pacific: Photo, Mpeg, & Large Mpeg
• NRL GOES-10 IR - NE Pacific: Photo, Mpeg, & Large Mpeg
• NRL GOES-10 Water Vapor - NE Pacific: Photo, Mpeg, & Large Mpeg
• Univ. of Wisconsin SSEC Western Hemisphere Visible & Infrared Satellite Images
• UW SSEC LARGE GOES-10 Western US Visible, Infrared, & Water Vapor Satellite Images
• Unisys GOES West Infrared Current -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9 -10 -11 -12 Hours & Loop
• Unisys GOES West Enhanced IR Current -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9 -10 -11 -12 Hours & Loop
• Unisys GOES West Water Vapor Current -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9 -10 -11 -12 Hours & Loop
• Unisys GOES West Visible Current -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9 -10 -11 -12 Hours & Loop
• Weather Channel Five Day Forecasts: San Nicolas Island & Long Beach

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