Wood Cove - Laguna Beach CA

Wood Cove is a salt water dive site, located in Laguna Beach, CA. This dive site has an average rating of 3.33 out of 5 from 18 scuba divers.

If the crowds are unbearable in the previous sites, try this location further South in Laguna. You’ll find everything here, with perhaps fewer fish as this area is not protected.

Directions: Make a right on Diamond Street about 1.4 miles South of Broadway and Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna. The entrance is at the end of Diamond.
I must have hit Wood Cove on the right day, because this was an easy and very nice dive- the best of my Laguna Beach dives. There was no big swell and we walked off the steps to the right, and dove straight out to 30 feet. Great rock formations and lots of life, with water clarity to around 30 feet. Slight surge but no problem. Would like to dive again straight out to 40 or 50 feet. One of my best all-time dives. Reminded me of Cambria Rock.
I have dove this site numerous times in every season, and I have always found good vis, low surf, and bountiful amounts of fish, lobster, and other creatures. Enter to the right of the big rock on shore for low surf and deep water near shore.
This was one of the best sites that I have dove on the West coast!
This particular reef has a great deal to offer the advanced diver. The reef is very beautiful because it’s seldom dived due to average conditions. Not for the novice diver for various reasons (shallow depths, rocky and narrow entrance, waves, etc). If you have an opportunity to dive this spot when conditions permit you are in for a real treat!

http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/USA_West/CalS/Wood_Cove/index.htm

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Tromptista - 7/26/2012 9:18 AM

I went scuba diving here on 7/25/2012. Average viz: 11-15ft/3-5m. Water temp: 61-65°F/16-18°C.
Dive # - It was a hot day for a cool dive in Laguna. We arrive at woods to clear skys and occasional 3 - 4 ft waves but lots of swell meaning we were in for a surgy dive. We head out between the two rocks and drop down and immediately see a 3 ft horn shark. With the heavy surge we struggled to get deeper and keep the group together. The surge eventually turned us around and we spend about 8 minutes kicking over sand almost at Moss st. We dropped down again and tried to stay in one spot and saw a good size bat ray and lots of large lobsters. Typical diving conditions at Woods. Just when I had about forgotten what surge felt like. Great dive with guys from NBTT divers. Get out and dive with us. (http://www.nbttdiveclub.com)

Tromptista - 4/19/2012 8:27 AM

I went scuba diving here on 4/18/2012. Average viz: 11-15ft/3-5m. Water temp: 50-55°F/10-13°C.
It was Mr Toads Wild ride at Woods last night. Probably the biggest waves I have ever seen in Laguna (8-10 ft). Definitely the largest I have seen at Woods Cove. Probably due to decent south swell. We snuck out unharmed, choppy swim to drop point and then heavy surge on the bottom even at 30 feet. Visibility was not too bad considering the top side conditions but was a challenge to navigate. We were also able to get out alright though dont remember last time I pulled my fins off that quickly. Extremely rare for us to dive in such rough of conditions so get out and dive with us NBTT (No Beach Too Tough) http://www.nbttdiveclub.com

Tromptista - 3/09/2012 9:16 AM

I went scuba diving here on 3/8/2012. Average viz: 11-15ft/3-5m. Water temp: 50-55°F/10-13°C.
It was lake Laguna at Woods Cove, ankle slappers, clear water, very high tide due to the perigean moon (exaggerates the tides) . Very easy kick to the pinnacle where we typically drop and very light surge. Woods is notorious for moderate to heavy surge. Fair amount of life, sculpin, lobsters, and even a 3 ft horn shark. It was Tony’s first night dive and he did great. The only thing it was COLD [52], been awhile since seen it that low. Our feet and finger tips were frozen but otherwise a great dive with guys from NBTT "No Beach Too Tough", get out and dive with us: http://www.divebuddy.com/club.aspx?ClubID=282

Tromptista - 1/13/2012 9:10 AM

I went scuba diving here on 1/12/2012. Average viz: 16-20ft/5-6m. Water temp: 56-60°F/13-16°C.
Another great dive with the guys from NBTT. Dive with NBTT
http://www.divebuddy.com/club.aspx?ClubID=282
Relatively easy entry some 3 footers, low tide, easy kick out near rock breaking the surface dropped down and headed along the reef south west to about 26-30 ft end of the reef and turned around. Surge was moderate but typical for Woods cove. Not as many fish out, some sculpin, sand bass, saw red crab, a fairly big octopus that Javy got great video of. Lobsters were all out now that they have free reign in Laguna. Nice viz and awesome night dive.

Tromptista - 12/29/2011 12:04 AM

I went scuba diving here on 12/28/2011. Average viz: 21-25ft/6-8m. Water temp: 61-65°F/16-18°C.
Another great dive with guys from NBTT (No Beach Too Tough) - Dive with NBTT
http://www.divebuddy.com/club.aspx?ClubID=282 Very nice flat conditions. The water crystal clear and very light surge (unusual for woods). Not many lobster left and almost all of the cages have been removed with the upcoming marine protected area going into effect on 01/01/2012. There is at least one abandoned cage which likely got caught in between a crevice and rope snapped. Lots of sculpin large and small of varying colors all around the reef. Hopefully the conditions will last a little longer but this is excellent for this time of year.

Tromptista - 12/19/2011 10:33 AM

I went scuba diving here on 12/8/2011. Average viz: 31-35ft/9-11m. Water temp: 61-65°F/16-18°C.
Amazing visibility, Rare Pristine conditions, no surf, no silt just turquoise water like diving through air. Very light surge (unusual) for Woods and lots of fish, caught / released a few short lobster. Very nice dive with the guys from NBTT.
Dive with NBTT. http://www.divebuddy.com/club.aspx?ClubID=282

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