Here's a very good shot of HOW to find the Wreck. That BROWN house on the beach, that's the one mentioned below, the one with the WHITE window frames.
All of Laguna is an MLPA area and everything has been protected since 2012.
So all of Laguna is a 'Not take' area.Cleo Street is known for the Cleo Street Wreck, which is actually a barge which sunk here in 1958 (The Foss 125), more further down.
Parking here is a "Nightmare" if all the "Spots" are taken, and there are only a few to get to begin with. It is best to "Car pool" as much as possible when planning a dive here. Even after all the "Cliff Restoration" they did not add anymore parking places. What we usually do is this: Unload you gear and park on the "Atlantic" side of PCH on Cleo, it is still "Metered" but at least there are parking spots. There's a nice big wall and sidewalk to get yourself ready, but don't leave anything here unless you don't mind loosing it to whoever walks by. The steps going down to the beach are new in 2000/2001 and except for the "Last step" it is in very good shape.
Here's a very good shot of HOW to find the Wreck. That BROWN house on the beach, that's the one mentioned below, the one with the WHITE window frames. |
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The Wreck. I have dove here so many times, finding the wreck is almost 2nd nature. But so many people "Miss it" every time. I think of the 100's of dives I've done here, I've only missed it twice.
But here's the key to "Finding" it.
1) Line up the BROWN house on the beach, the one with the WHITE window frames and keep it "Directly" in front of you, take a compass reading so you "Know" which way to go when underwater, the wreck is "Right in line" with this house.
2) Line up the "Bell tower" at Hotel Laguna, when you are DUE NORTH to the tower, to just beyond it, this is the "Drop down" spot.
3) Now since you took a reading as to where that BROWN HOUSE was, you now know the direction to go to move directly away from it. YES, you are quite "A ways" off shore, keep this in mind, at least one person has died here over the years. Don't veer off course, keep going straight out from the house.
4) After going over 2-3 sand "Berms" or small reef structures, you will "T-bone" the wreck, right in middle of it, EVERY TIME. The wreck lies in 42-46 feet of water, depending on the tides.
5) Plan your dive accordingly so you "Start back" at about 1000-1200 lbs of air since you are so far offshore, it is not a good idea to surface out here.We've also been very fortunate to "Witness" first hand, our "Giant Black Sea Bass". They were "Huge" and were in excess of severl hundred lbs. For some reason these "Big boys" like crossing the wreck at the northern end of it, it's quite a sight. But don't get carried away, you need to make a safe return to the beach.
Beach entries here are best when the tide is high, due to the rock formations in the surf zone. If good sized waves are breaking here, DON'T GO HERE, save it for a better day, the VIZ also won't be worth it.
This spot is best dove from a boat, but it is "Reachable" from shore, just keep in mind to have enough air to make a safe return, about half your air supply. This is a very good place to dive.
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