California is best known for its long beaches, warm weather and surfers. Yet California is also a famed diving location. Long coastlines stretching from North to South, plus the many outlying islands, provide numerous dive spots abounding with sea life and diversity underwater.
Catalina Island, just off the coast of Southern California, is probably best known for its kelp forests which line the rocky bottom. Sunlight streaming through the foliage creates amazing patterns of light, offering a magical sight underwater. The giant kelp is not the only living attraction in Catalina waters. Gaudy Garibaldi fish, California lobsters, electric torpedo rays, mako, leopard and horn sharks can all be frequently observed.
If you are in the right place at the right time you may also receive a visit from a curious sealion, interested in the “big, bubble-blowing animal” that has entered its realm. These marine mammals have fascinating eyes, as soft and enchanting as those of a cuddly puppy dog. They are also incredible free-divers, capable of staying underwater for up to 20 minutes and diving down to over 140m.
The 'warm beaches of California' is really just a description of the exterior temperature in the most Southern location. In fact, temperatures range from 15 to 21 °C, depending on the location. Underwater, the Pacific Ocean risks to be even colder, no matter what the season. At depth temperatures can be between 10 to 13°C. Protection is a must.
SCUBAPRO has created a range of drysuits and semi-dry suits, including matching undersuits, which ensure perfect insulation, no matter how cold it gets. The choice of material is up to the diver. We have created numerous drysuit options including our sturdy yet flexible Cordura, allowing whatever underwear thickness you desire to fit comfortably underneath. If you prefere ready-to-wear insulation, a closer fitting neoprene suit is the answer. We have both a traditional pre-compressed 6,5mm version or a revolutionary light drysuit in 4mm high-density neoprene, maintaining optimal thermal insulation but weighing 50% less. Our high-quality side-activated inflation valve and automatic, adjustable exhaust valve provide safe and easy-to-use buoyancy control for a comfortable and warm dive. If you just want to stay warm without all the complexities of drysuit diving, our 6,5mm semidry is for you. It dives like a wetsuit but keeps you warmer.
