Old MarineLand

BEACH ACCESS
A short distance from the Parking lot is the trail leading down to the Beach. When you step over the chain preventing vehicle access to the beach you should head over to the bluff's edge and check out the dive site. You'll have two options - On your Right is Long Point where diving is best, but trail access is narrower, more difficult and entry is rocky. However, This area has good Kelp growth and Sea life in the kelp is more abundant. On your Left is Cobble Beach. Beach access is easy via the wide partially paved trail that runs from the parking area to the shore. Water entry is still a bit difficult because the shore is made up of loose rocks that make getting a good footing difficult. Exercise caution on both entry and exit at both locations. May we suggest making the hike down to Long Point on your right, enter the water there and make your way south-east, finishing your dive at Cobble Beach. Exit there and your hike back up the hill will be much easier than your hike down!
Access from Parking lot to Trail	Trail Leading to Fork	Trail Down to Cobble Beach
THE DIVE SITE
Water entry is relatively easy in light and moderate surf. The shore however has lots of loose rocks so be cautious when entering or exiting. When you do get in the water drop down and let the water carry your weight instead of trying to walk all the way in - this reduces your chance of slipping on the rocks. The surf here is usually pretty calm - but we've seen it pretty big, so only enter if your comfortable - dive to your ability! Depth will be about 15 - 50 feet in most areas within easy swimming distance. Visibility is generally good, averaging about 20 feet with occasional 40-50 foot visibility. Usually there is no noticeable current, but once in a while there may be a light south-easterly current along shore. More Advanced Divers and those who don't mind a little hike and lots of Kelp will enjoy diving the Long Point. Just remember to dive with a buddy and relax if you get caught in the kelp - kelp breaks pretty easily - so don't panic if you get into some.
View from hill toward Cobble beach	Cobble Beach Showing Rocky Entry	Long Point - Same Rocky Entry
A-Entrance, B-Parking, C-Trail to Long Point, D-Trail to Cobble Beach
Picture Courtesy of Kenneth & Gabrielle Adelman © 2002-2005 California Coastal Records Project
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WHAT YOU'LL SEE
Lots of Rocks for one thing - many covered with a healthy growth of gorgonian! Beyond that you'll likely see: Lots of small invertebrates including brightly colored Spanish shawl nudibranchs. Sea stars, Chestnut cowries, Sand Bass, Bat Rays, Calico Bass, Tree Fish, Cabezon, Giant Kelpfish, Blackeye Goby, California Halibut, California Sheephead, Senorita, White Seaperch, Opaleye, Horn Shark, Giant Crabs, small reef fish and an abundance of octopus. Also common here is the electric torpedo ray. The torpedo rays has a distinctive round shape and shows no fear of divers. Steer clear of these guys as they can pack one hell of an electrical charge! During the months of March through June you'll likely see some White Sea Bass on the fringe of the Kelp Beds as well. Pacific Wilderness Dive Club (Our Club) runs two or three beach dives a year here. We start with an early morning Dive Briefing and check in followed by a full on Family Barbeque complete with all the fixings - with special permission from the property owner.
Long Point - Out in the Kelp	Long Point - Out in the Kelp	Long Point - Out in the Kelp
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FACILITIES
There are no Facilities here except for the ones located inside the office Building. These facilities however are not for the Public, so please don't wear out our welcome by imposing on them. Pacific Wilderness Dive Club brings the "Facilities" here when we run our Club Sponsored "Beach Dive & Barbeque" events. A Club Application is available through this site - once you're in, you can join us! To view our most recent Club Dive at Marineland click Here. A Word of Caution; Please respect the property by picking up your trash (it doesn't hurt to pick up for others as well) and be considerate of others as well. The large building you'll see at the base of the parking lot is used for offices and also as a Wedding Reception Facility - so if you're there on the weekend there's a good possibility a reception is going on. Be mindful and considerate of all those stressed-out people so we can keep diving this fantastic dive site!		Our Club Rented "Facilities"

Our Club Dive at Cobble Beach	The Trail Up from the Dive Site	Our Staging Area Above the Beach
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PARKING
Parking is always plentiful. Remember, this used to be parking for the oldest "amusement" park in the west (yes, even older than Disneyland) - So when the gate opens, no need to rush...and the parking is FREE! Please pay attention to the "No Parking" signs. After 4 pm a tow service comes by every day and checks for stragglers. Cars still there will be towed and the front gates will be locked at around 5 pm.

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Emergency Assistance:		Recompression Chambers:
EMERGENCY	--911 (Dial First)	CATALINA ISLAND	--(310) 510-1053
DAN	--(919) 684-8111	NORTHRIDGE	--(818) 885-8500
HARBOR PATROL	--(310) 318-0632	SANTA ANA	--(714) 973-8777
LIFEGUARDS	--(310) 372-2162	LOS ROBLES	--(805) 497-2727
FIRE	--(310) 379-5416
POLICE	--(310) 318-0618	DAN (Medical Questions)	--(919) 684-2948
USCG VHF	--CHANNEL 16