Jaunted

Sea lions and dolphins will likely follow you out to sea, and if you’re lucky, they’ll decide to visit during the dive as well. Plenty of anemones and other colorful creatures have made their home within the cracks among the rock features but keep an eye out for eels, and also the possibility of a 500-pound giant black sea bass cruising past you. Say hello to the California spiny lobsters for us, but please leave the butter back on shore.

You’ve got some different options for scheduling your dive, but we’d go with Truth Aquatics. They have both single and multiple day dive trips throughout the summer. However, get to bed early as they leave at 4:00 am. Three-day trips include all meals, snacks, and air fills for about $400. Alcohol is extra, but they do allow you to BYOB--just don't drink and dive. And despite what you may see on TV and in the movies, California weather is not always hot. Sunny, yes. Hot, only if you're in the Valley. Because of that, Truth Aquatic's vessels all have special warm-air rooms that dry your wet suit in between dives. Still, it wouldn't hurt to bring a sweatshirt too.

Related Stories:
·Truth Aquatics [Official Site]
·Where to Swim with Whale Sharks and Downward Dog with The Fishes [Jaunted]
·SCUBA coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Adam Gerritsma]