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A scuba diver in a wetsuit emerges from the ocean, carrying diving equipment.
📷 Hossam Ashoor · Pexels

Ocean Beach

4.1 — based on 24 community signals
4.4 12 species 45 contributors

Ocean Beach offers year-round diving with 12 recorded species observations and a thriving local dive community.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
Shore entryFamily-friendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner

Top operators here

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Map

This spot Operators POIs Airport Nearby spots
Ocean Beach location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
5.1 kn
Wave
0.32 m
Water
22.3°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: NE (28%)
Now: NNW (335°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 1.29m

Today: High 04:00 (-0.17m), Low 10:00 (-0.78m)

+0.4 m0 m-0.9 m
▲ 04:00 · -0.17m ▼ 10:00 · -0.78m ▲ 16:00 · -0.01m ▼ 23:00 · -0.86m Now -0.4m
Fri 18Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24
UV6.1 · high Air PM2.54 · good 06:31 18:52
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-18 9.8 0.46 6 0mm
09-19 8.7 0.42 6 0mm
09-20 12.9 0.86 1 14mm
09-21 15.7 0.78 5 4mm
09-22 16.2 0.84 2 1mm
09-23 19.2 1.24 2 2mm
09-24 25.8 1.14 1 12mm

About this spot

Ocean Beach is a dive destination in the United States that welcomes divers throughout the year. The site has built a modest but active community, with video documentation and species sightings helping newer divers understand what to expect underwater. Twelve species observations are logged for Ocean Beach, giving divers a baseline of marine life encounters. These records come from the local diving community and provide useful reference points for planning dives and identifying what you might encounter. The area is not within a marine protected area, which means standard diving rules apply. Community contributions—including three videos—offer real-world perspective on conditions and underwater features. If you're planning a visit, checking these resources can help you prepare for your dive.

📖 Guide: Diving in the United States: 87 Sites From Springs to Open Ocean

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type A/B · 120V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 48%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 5383km · ~1238kg · €22

FAQ

Can I dive Ocean Beach year-round?

Yes, Ocean Beach is open to diving throughout the year. Check local conditions before each visit, as weather and water state can vary seasonally.

What marine life will I see at Ocean Beach?

Twelve species have been documented at Ocean Beach. Review community records and videos to see what divers typically encounter, and ask local operators about current activity.

Do I need permits or special access to dive Ocean Beach?

Ocean Beach is not in a marine protected area. Follow all applicable U.S. diving regulations and check with local authorities about any site-specific rules before diving.

Where can I find dive information and videos for Ocean Beach?

The community has contributed three videos and species records to dive databases. Search local dive forums and platforms for these resources to learn about recent conditions.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

64 records · 35 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Crepidula fornicata

Gastropoda · Calyptraeidae
GBIF
Last seen:
14 Jan 2026
×2records

Geukensia demissa

Bivalvia · Mytilidae
GBIF
Last seen:
10 Jan 2026
×2records

Mercenaria mercenaria

Bivalvia · Veneridae
GBIF
Last seen:
10 Jan 2026
×1records

Amphibalanus venustus

Maxillopoda · Balanidae
GBIF
Last seen:
10 Jan 2026
×1records

Phoca vitulina

Mammalia · Phocidae
GBIF
Last seen:
8 Jan 2026
×2records

Littorina littorea

Gastropoda · Littorinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
8 Jan 2026
×1records

Raja eglanteria

Elasmobranchii · Rajidae
GBIF
Last seen:
8 Jan 2026
×1records

Ilyanassa obsoleta

Gastropoda · Nassariidae
GBIF
Last seen:
8 Jan 2026
×1records

Busycon carica

Gastropoda · Busyconidae
GBIF
Last seen:
6 Jan 2026
×1records

Argopecten irradians

Bivalvia · Pectinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
5 Jan 2026
×2records

Crassostrea virginica

Bivalvia · Ostreidae
GBIF
Last seen:
5 Jan 2026
×1records

Megaptera novaeangliae

Humpback whale
Mammalia · Balaenopteridae
OBIS
Last seen:
11 Jul 2025
×1records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Dive America Ep 1 Redondo beach submarine canyon Night Dive

Dive America
💬 3 top comments
  • I’m so fortunate enough to had seen the prickly shark before it was killed. I hope they catch whoever did it.

    @diveamerica2198 · 👍 0
  • Visibility the last two months has been really amazing!

    @robberg1527 · 👍 1
  • How can you guys even swim with them huge balls of yours. -this for me is stuff of nightmares couldn’t imagine doing thins in the day let alone the night. Super interesting to watch I grew up on that beach it’s a whole other side of it literally.

    @Escobar_ink · 👍 0

How to be Wave Safe: East Coast Beaches

usoceangov

Free Diving the California Coast and Catalina Island

Joseph Ricketts
💬 3 top comments
  • Im 27 and bedbound and weak due to battling cancer. I was in school for horticulture and ecology and had to drop out and sacrifice a lot of cool trips. I have been so depressed and haven't been able to see a future beyond this illness, but watching your video really helped me feel a sense of wonder again and feel hopeful for when I can travel again and see places like Catalina. Thank you for shari

    @Mossgraves123 · 👍 151
  • The California coast is pure magic.

    @heath-emerson · 👍 231
  • No freaking way you found a cluster of spiny lobsters WILD

    @RNG-999 · 👍 59
wind peaks Mar-Jan-Nov, calmest Sep-Jul-Aug, dry Jan-Dec.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Jan (100/100) Worst: May (0/100) Now: Sep (50/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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