Redondo, Palos Verdes & San Pedro · United States · Kelp forest · Reef
Old Marineland
Point-to-cove kelp swim from Long Point to Cobble Beach
Photo: Sergei Gussev · CC BY 2.0
Old Marineland is a Palos Verdes shore dive entered at Long Point and finished at Cobble Beach, over rocky reef with good kelp growth. Sea fans, gorgonians, rockfish, lingcod and cabezon are common, with nudibranchs off the point. A hard hike and rocky entry make it a site for experienced beach divers.
0Where it is and how deep
33.7364° N, 118.3979° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
Make the hike down to Long Point, where the trail narrows and the entry is over rock. Diving is best here because the kelp growth is good and the sea life in the kelp is more abundant. Most of the reef within easy swimming distance is 5–15 m (15–50 ft) deep, with the points of interest at 11–17 m (35–55 ft) and 18 m (60 ft) as the recommended maximum.
Off the point, nudibranchs are found especially between 12 and 20 m (40–65 ft), while octopus, blennies and sculpins sit on the shallow pinnacles near the point. Sea fans and gorgonians grow thickly, with rockfish, lingcod, cabezon, scorpionfish and schooling bait fish around them. From there, work south-east along shore and finish the dive at Cobble Beach.
Marine life and season
- Nudibranchs
- Octopus & cuttlefish
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime | Prime | Good | Good | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good |
Season follows Redondo, Palos Verdes & San Pedro: The squid run at Veteran's Park, mid-December to early March, falls in the coldest water of the year; August is the warmest month at about 19 °C.
Know before you go
- The trail to Long Point is narrower and harder than the main path, and the entry is over rock.
- The climb back to the parking lot is extremely strenuous; leave energy for it.
- Avoid the site during large south, west and south-west swells.
Photos from Old Marineland
Sergei Gussev · CC BY 2.0
Dive videos
Old Marineland in Rancho Palos Verdes · Emerson Stidham on YouTube
Questions divers ask
How deep is Old Marineland in Palos Verdes?+
Most of the reef within easy swimming distance is 5–15 m (15–50 ft), and 18 m (60 ft) is the recommended maximum.
Is Old Marineland a beginner dive?+
No. The hike to and from the rocky entry, long surface swims and mild currents make it a poor choice for beginner or intermediate beach divers.
Sources
- Old MarineLand, Palos Verdes — Pacific Wilderness
- Old Marineland in Palos Verdes, CA — Eco Dive Center
- Long Point, Rancho Palos Verdes — OpenStreetMap
Photo credits
- Cobble beach curving below tall sandstone cliffs, with dark rocks scattered in calm water by Sergei Gussev, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Rocky Palos Verdes shoreline with kelp beds on the water and hills fading into the distance by Sergei Gussev, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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