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South Coast Divers, your source for scuba diving in Laguna Beach

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Current Laguna Beach Date & Time: Saturday 09-19-2026

Weekly scuba diving in Laguna Beach:
Here at South Coast Divers, we believe that the best way for NEW scuba divers (Newbies) to gain experience in scuba diving is for newbies to dive with experienced divers. We have done this since 1998 and we encourage all new scuba divers to dive with us. To join our diver list, click on SCD FB Group and this way you can have the latest information and dive schedules, join today!! The diver list is currently over 1,400 divers from our old email list and over 2,200 divers on Facebook. If you still have questions, see the SCD About page, click on the link above.
Join us, no membership fees here, it's free!
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Directions & Maps

This is an excellent opportunity for you to gain scuba diving experience by diving with those who have many, many dives, because we share our vast scuba diving experience with those who want or need it. Meet at the Laguna Hills mall at 7:30 AM for morning dives and 6:30 PM for night dives, leave for Laguna at 7:45 AM & 6:45 PM SHARP, don't be late. But remember, that this is just, 'A bunch of scuba divers who love to dive, getting together to dive'.
You must know your own limitations and you ONLY YOU can make your own decisions about scuba diving, WE are not responsible for you. Please make the RIGHT decisions about YOUR scuba diving based on your own training and skill set. There is never an 'Official' dive master or instructor 'On Duty', you dive at YOUR OWN RISK.

Here is the latest group post.

Good morning Divers!!! 09/18/2026, It's Friday!!!
Current diving conditions in Laguna Beach. The swell models look the same as yesterday, the swell direction is making that 'Eddy' I have mentioned many times before. Viz, is going to be around 10 feet, here again, I have noticed as I watch the conditions that they seem to get worse as the day goes on, starts pretty good in the early morning, where you could see 10-15+ feet and then it appears to me the sand seems to shift out and making the shallower areas get low viz, maybe 10 feet, very unusual to be able to see that on the live cams. So today early in the morning we have 1-3 feet of surf and 10-15 feet of viz, for that to go away as the afternoon starts up. So take that as you need to decide what you are willing to dive in, fair or low viz, surf seems to remain manageable all day long. I am going to make the assumption that the warm water has something to do with all of this, since Laguna usually remains cold to cool, to see/feel water this warm, some may think they will be fine in a 'Shorty' or no wetsuit at all, well, IMHO, IF you want good bottom time, remember you can always 'Cool off' by just letting water into your full wetsuit, BUT, you cannot warm up, once you're cold, you'll use up more & more air. Plan according for your exposure suits. IF you're in Laguna today or the weekend, please post what you see, along with details on your dive and any videos or pictures you might take. With SCD, all info is good info.

IF you are a new member of the group, check out the FB Group page and scroll back and read some of the posts I've shared about the unusual creatures that have been found around the area, from a Sea Snake to a Whale Shark. Good reading...

Our diving plans for tomorrow Saturday. I mentioned that I have another scheduling conflict, so we are cancelling our plans. Plus add in I had a doctor tell me I should wait a YEAR before I go into the water after my procedure I had for my eyes back in May, I am seeking more info from my PGP, we'll see.

Diving!! DO IT!! Safely...

Rich Parker & Louis Umphenour
https://southcoastdivers.com
https://facebook.com/groups/SouthCoastDivers/

Lobster diving in Laguna Beach:
Since January 1 2012, it has been illegal to take ANYTHING within the city limits of Laguna Beach. The distance out from shore is the better part of 3 miles. If you want to read part of what is posted from the DFG/DFW (Dept of Fish & Wildlife), go to

DFW docs

Open the link about Laguna Beach and then see the map in JPG or PDF form. So READ IT, there aren't any excuses for not knowing the laws. Just remember you cannot take ANYTHING in Laguna Beach, period. So you need to lobster dive outside of Laguna Beach. Thanks.

Diver Etiquette & Night Diving in Laguna Beach:
First, general Diver Etiquette. I can't count how many times I have to tell divers to be quiet and respect those who live around where we park in Laguna. Back in the 1960's the residents of Laguna got together and were nearly successful in banning scuba diving in Laguna. An agreement was reached where we see the regulations that are on the books with the City about having proper gear, including a snorkel (Which has been relaxed in the last few years). Part of this etiquette is wearing a proper swim suit. Nothing bugs residents more than divers standing around in their wet underwear (Or less) and changing into their street clothes. It would be my guess, you could also get cited by the local Police too. "Come on people" show some respect for the home owners!! If you have issues with that swim suit "bind" then wear a long speedo type of suit (Also know as a Jammer). Then use a towel "Poncho" and change into your clothes. I am always surprised how many times I have to tell divers this. Night Diving. We are very fortunate we can dive Laguna year around, 24 hours a day (Conditions permitting). But at night don't "Blow air" after a dive. Simply take your gear elsewhere to break your gear down. If you don't think the residents can end diving in Laguna, "Think again". To read more about Skin & Scuba Diving in Laguna Beach, see Chapter 18.21 SKIN AND SCUBA DIVING in the Laguna Beach Municipal Codes (Click on Search).

Laguna Beach Municipal Codes

Chamber Day
Each year the diving community gets together to raise money for the chamber at Catalina, the only chamber that is only for diver use in S CA. It is a non profit run chamber and they need divers to help support it.

Chamber Day

Thanks for your support.

SCD Hat? How do I get one?
The only way to get an official SCD hat with your name on the back is to show up for one of our dives, then you too can order an SCD hat., to get one, show up on a Saturday and place an order with me.

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