Crystal Cove State Park is a shore accessible salt water dive site, located in Newport Beach - coast, CA. This dive site has an average rating of 3.71 out of 5 from 7 scuba divers.
Crystal Cove is one of those areas that you could spend years exploring. This large stretch of beach has several entry points, and depending upon how far you want to hike, you can choose a different entry for every day of the year! Directions: Drive 4.5 miles South of the Newport Bridge. You’ll see the miles of wild beachfront, and the entrance to the park.
The day I tried to dive Crystal Cove the swell was up and the shore break pretty big. I ended up free diving the kelp for awhile so I wouldn’t get beat up with the dive gear. I think this would be a really great dive on a high vis day. I plan on going back here. Take a dolly if you go to the Reef Point entrance- you’ll need it.
What an awesome place to dive! I took my newly certified brother out here to dive and we had a great time. The winter surf was a little challenging, but we still made it. We found a large reef filled with Garibaldi, Senorita, and Lobsters! There was no kelp on the surface (I think the recent massive wave probably harvested it a bit), but there was plenty of eel grass and shorter kelp underwater. We went down to 32 feet and found a lobster trap, too (no lobsters in it). The walk to the beach is .32 miles and the showers are currently closed for the season (I guess they don’t have as many visitors in the winter). Other than that, this was great place to dive.
Absolutely gorgeous area with plenty of wildlife and a diversity of habitats. Amazing reefs. Get there early and parking is free (otherwise $10), showers and bathrooms, not a terrible climb up or down to the beach. When the waves are breaking, entry is a bit rough, and surge can be a problem, but well worth the effort. Up to 40 ft vis in some areas.
http://www.crystalcovestatepark.com
http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/USA_West/CalM/Crystal_Cove/index.htm