Deadman's Reef, Laguna Beach, California

Deadman's reef is a long swim out, but its a large, deeper reef with good vis. Lots of structure, schooling fish, and deeper depths make this one of the best dives in Orange county. The reef is past crescent bay, and crescent bay can be done on the swim out, or on the swim back. Click on Map to enlarge

Interests: Garibaldi, croakers, perch, blacksmith, and opaleye all school at this site. The lucky diver will find blennies, moray eels, octopus, and nudibranchs.
Entry & Exits: Sandy beach entry. Enter at the bottom of the stairs.

Suggestions: Beginner dives will enter at the sandy beach, and surface swim out to the reef. Some divers use a depth finder to locate the reef.
Best time to Dive: During small south swells and high tide. Check Conditions

Visibility: 10-30ft

Warnings: If you don't have your lineups correct you may miss the reef.
Depth Recomendations:40-65ft is where most of the points of interest are for this site. 60 ft is Recomended maximum depth for novice beach divers. 100 ft is Recommended maximum for advanced beach divers. 130 ft is Maximum Depth for recreational divers.

Safety: Use of float, flag, anchor and descent line is required for beach diving. Cell phone and oxygen first aid kit should be avalible.

Click here to see Scott's Deadman's Reef Photos

Directions: Click on map for GOOGLE MAP directions

Parking:

Parking is on the street. Parking is difficult and often fills up in the morning and on weekends in the summer. At other times there are usually open spaces.

Photos of the Circle way parking spaces, and the stairs going down to the dive sites.