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Cabrillo Beach
 San Pedro, CA 90731
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Max Depth: 31-35ft/9-11m
Average Viz: 5-10ft/2-3m
Entry Type: Shore
Bottom Composition: Sand
Aquatic Life: Plenty To See
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Rating: 3.67 by 6 divers
Spring: 61-65°F/16-18°C
Summer: 66-70°F/19-21°C
Fall: 61-65°F/16-18°C
Winter: 56-60°F/13-16°C
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Cabrillo Beach is a shore accessible salt water dive site, located in San Pedro, CA 90731. This dive site has an average rating of 3.67 out of 5 from 6 scuba divers. The maximum depth is 31-35ft/9-11m. The average visibility is 5-10ft/2-3m.
Beach or rocky shore entry within marine refuge. Good night diving for lobsters. This site is usually protected from the swells due to Point Fermin to the west and the Breakwater to the southeast.
Beach Access is about as easy as it gets. From the Parking Area shown in the Bottom Right picture below as (B), make the short, easy, level walk to the Beach. Entering from the area close to the Parking lot is as good as any along the stretch of Beach. Also Shown as (A) is the Lifeguard Station for Reference. Entry is easy with sandy bottom along the shallows (I have yet to encounter a single Rock along the entry path). Surf is also relatively calm on most Days, averaging 1-2 foot or less, making this an ideal beginning Diver Beach Location.
Cabrillo Beach offers Great Facilities, Parking and Beach Access. So why is this Beach not Swarming with Divers Every Weekend? We’ll, to be honest, the Dive Site is not what is normally considered a "Wow" Dive Spot by the Average Diver. However, in defense of Cabrillo Beach, it does offer many Unique things that do make it a worthwhile Dive Spot. The amenities are fantastic It offers Sea Life you’ll likely not see at other Beach Sites It has Very Easy Access from the Parking Area Beach Entry on Calm Surf Days is as Easy as it gets The Ocean Floor is Sandy and easy to Navigate The Depth is 25 Feet or less-even 150 yards out, making it ideal for Beginning Classes
If you look beyond the Sandy Bottom and Shallow, unchanging Floor of the Dive Site, you will find some Hidden Treasures Unique to this Beach. Cabrillo Beach is home to relatively Large "Sand Dollar" Beds a short Distance off Shore that are a Rare find at any dive spot on the Coast. The Cabrillo Aquarium asks Divers to Respect the Beds and only "Look - Do not Touch". Shown at Right is a "Dead" Sand Dollar (Courtesy of NOAA) - the ones in the Bed are Live! The spot also offers an assortment of small goodies to keep divers occupied. These small fish wash themselves up on the beach during the Run - Imagine an Underwater View of this! Cabrillo Beach is a Hidden Treasure and well worth a look.
Cabrillo Beach has Really Nice Facilities. You’ve got to hand it to the City of San Pedro, they really do a good job on making the Beaches Diver Friendly. Parking here is normally plentiful, the Beach is Big, there are Fire Pits on the "Pacific Side" of the Beach, Hibachi style BBQ Grills on the "Harbor Side" in the Main Picnic Area, Rinse Showers, and nice big Bathrooms at either end of the Bath House (With those nice Stainless Toilets you appreciate a little less on a cold day).
Parking is normally plentiful - even on weekends. Parking Fees here are Seasonal. October to May $1 per Hour for up to $7 Maximum (Friday though Monday) June to September $1 per Hour for up to $9 Maximum (Every Day) A FREE grace period of less than 20 minutes has also been added From The Parking Shack you’ll head in and come to a Fork just Beyond the Grassy Area with the big Statue. Veer to the Right to Head for Beach Dive Parking. If you go left you’ll enter the Parking Lot for the Cabrillo Aquarium. You’ll be on a 150 Yard access road that Runs Parallel to the Beach you’ll be Diving (On your Right). Go Until you get to the Parking Area on Your Right Past the Lifeguard Building and Park.