Scuba diving San Diego by boat, with all the creature comforts. Heated shower, hot soup, warm crew.

Set sail from the closest commercial dock to the ocean with our friendly, safety-first crew. Whether you're avoiding shore dives or seeking a community-focused, cost-effective dive, we got you covered: scuba diving San Diego with us brings all the warmth you need for cold-water dives. Enjoy weekly trips to Wreck Alley, La Jolla Ecological Reserve, Point Loma giant kelp forest, and the sea lion-filled Coronado Islands.

Included

Captain and deckhand

Tanks + weights

Hot soup, snacks, bevs

Sea sickness help

Self-guided dives, tour guide optional.
Advanced certification required on some trips.
Complimentary tanks vary (AL80 or LP Steel 85).

Ammenities

Hot shower

Galley + second deck

Full marine bathroom

Low-hanging ladders

Price (per diver)

$175 - $319ย  (public trip)

$88 - $233ย  (private charter)

All fees included
Solo, freedivers, and non-divers welcome

Maya Gerlach
Maya Gerlach
Corey was a great captain! We had a great time on the island time boat. It was easy to book with waterhorse and would recommend if anyone is looking for a private boat charter! Super fun, great price, and amazing staff!
Eric
Eric
Great crew, couldn't have been better. Friendly, attentive, park the boat spot on the dive site, literally couldn't ask for more.
Rachel Gillcrist
Rachel Gillcrist
Awesome crew!
Susie Alcantar
Susie Alcantar
Great experience with the whole family. Our captain Danny was kind & fun! Booking was smooth, easy, and it was a beautiful trip around mission bay. I would recommend & book again!
Dave Karp
Dave Karp
Waterhorse took 4 divers out to Pt. Loma yesterday. My first dive on the Orion. Lots of wind and current, but 2 exceptional dives. I was able to photograph an electric ray. Brandon is sooo nice!
Paul Laybourn
Paul Laybourn
My dive guide, Shane was knowledgeable, resourceful and personable. My daughter and I had two awesome dives at the Old Ingraham Bridge site and Yucon Wreck capturing several nice pictures. I highly recommend Waterhorse Charters for San Diego boat and shore diving.
Katie Deodat
Katie Deodat
Waterhorse is our favorite scuba dive charter company in San Diego! My family and I have booked with them several times over the years and they consistently have friendly and professional staff, safe and clean boats, and always provide a comfortable and fun experience all around! I highly recommend Waterhorse to any local or visiting divers to San Diego!
Stetson Davis
Stetson Davis
Once again whaterhorse charters put together a fantastic trip to dive the HMCS Yukon! Very helpful getting in and out of the water, hits and tricks to find cool things, and a huge supply of snacks on boat! i will ALWAYS use Waterhorse Charters when diving out of Mission Beach!

CREW-RIER SERVICE: We'll help you with your gear, proper weighting, yolk and DIN valves, and pairing you up with a buddy

WELCOME TO BRING: Personal tanks (fills up to 3000psi), CCRs, doubles, scooters, camera gear, backpacks, extra snacks

ADD-ONS AT CHECKOUT: Tour guides, 7mm wetsuits, rental gear, Nitrox tanks, GoPro rental

Scuba Diving San Diego Hot Highlights

Shark Safari

Shark Breeding Grounds

Embark on a kelp and reef diving journey, where we'll visit sevengill, swell, and tope sharks in their breeding habitats.

$185/diver (2 dives, 5 hours)

Summer Diving

June, July, August

One of our favorite times of the year is here: with warmer days and water temps, and a fresh wave of traveling dive friends coming aboard.

$175 - $319/diver

Requires valid passport

Scuba Diving San Diego Dive Sites

Scuba Diving San Diego Sites

  • Lobster Shack < 60 ft
  • Middle Grounds < 60 ft
  • Keyhole < 60 ft
  • Toilet Bowl < 60ft

๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€โœˆ๏ธ Crew tip: The best time to visit the islands is from September through December when sea lion diving is world-class!

  • Kelp Beds < 60 ft
  • Ancient Cliffs 65 - 100 ft
  • Train Wheels 65 - 100 ft

๐Ÿ‘จ๐Ÿผโ€โœˆ๏ธ Crew tip: Point Loma is home to prime sevengill shark diving from February through May, and lobster diving from October through March.

  • HMCS Yukon 60 - 100 ft
  • Ruby E. 65 - 80 ft
  • El Rey 65 - 80 ft
  • Old Ingraham 60 ft

๐Ÿง‘๐Ÿปโ€โœˆ๏ธ Crew tip: The HMCS Yukon, our top wreck choice, is the largest and most advanced wreck we visit (bring lights for a top-notch experience).

  • Kelp Beds/Reefs < 60 ft
  • Pinnacles 60 - 90 ft
  • Scripps Canyon 70 - 130 ft

๐Ÿ‘ฉ๐Ÿพโ€โœˆ๏ธ Crew tip: Diving La Jolla by boat is so different! It's effortless, less crowded, and goes way beyond La Jolla Coves and La Jolla Shores.

All in one Mission Bay shop
Check-in, rental gear fitting, boat boarding

advanced-padi-certification-san-diego

We'll keep you safe
Crew trained with quarterly drills and safety debriefs

We'll treat you right
Kindness is contagiousย is our life and work essence

We'll make it easy
Help with gear, tanks, weights, and finding a buddy

OPEN WATER SITES
Mexico: Coronado Islands (3 dives)
Point Loma: Kelp Forest (2 dives)
La Jolla: Reefs (2 dives)
Shallow Kelp & Wreck (2 dives)

ADVANCED/DEEP SITES
Wreck Alley: Yukon + Ruby E. (2 dives)
Wreck Alley: Yukon + El Rey (2 dives)
Wreck Alley: Yukon Double Dip (2 dives)
Point Loma: Ancient Cliffs (2 dives)
La Jolla: Rocks & Pinnacles (2 dives)
La Jolla: Scripps Canyon (2 dives)

MULTIDAY 10% off, only pay for 1 day of gear contact us
MEMBERSHIP 25% off public dive trips, 1 year enroll
CERTIFICATIONS private, no shore diving learn more

Destinations

Fleet

Humboldt

21 divers

Comfortable and safe, our Newton 46' Dive Special flagship is a local favorite that ensures easy entry and exit.
Learn more +

san-diego-dive-boat
san-diego-scuba-diving
humboldt-dive-deck

Orion

12 divers

Cozy and private, our Newton 38' provides for an intimate dive experience and indoor comfort.
Learn more +

san-diego-wildlife-cruises
2
orion-deckhouse

Min. guest reached or money back
Public trips: Full refund up to 7 days

"So professional and easy to work with, not used to that."

Todd Thumpson
Veteran Programs