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Waterhorse Charters San Diego

San Diego diving on their custom dive boat, the Humboldt, has tons of space, cool crew, good food, and all the stuff that makes Scuba diving in San Diego fun.
Guests gearing up on the deck
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Waterhorse Charters Features

  • The Humboldt, specially designed vessel for scuba diving: able to carry 22 passengers on board, has a top speed of 30 mph and a cruising speed of 26 mph.
  • Two compressors on board
  • Yoke and DIN friendly
  • Fresh hot water shower
  • Hot soup
  • Rental equipment
  • Divemasters for hire

Pricing

Varies, depending on the type of package. Contact us for more information.

Location

Located right on the Mission Bay Harbor near the Hyatt Islandia. The dive boat is located right behind the store.

Dive Overview

Waterhorse Charters offer scuba trips to Wreck Alley, Coronado Islands, Kelp Beds, and to various local points in between.

Dive Information

Yukon

  • At 366' feet in length, the Yukon is one of California's largest wrecks accessible by divers and is the most intact wreck divers can visit.
  • She was intentionally sunk in July of 2000 by the San Diego Oceans Foundation as part of the artificial reef project, known as Wreck Alley. An abundance of entry and exit holes were cut into her to increase accessibility as well as diver safety. Penetration is readily available for those with the proper certifications. However, there is plenty to see on the exterior including both forward and aft gun turrets.
  • Unfortunately, the sinking of her was never executed. The night before her sinking, water entered the holes cut low to the waterline and shortly after midnight, her bow headed for the bottom. She lies on her port side in about 100' of water with an average minimum depth of about 75 feet along the starboard side.
  • The Yukon has something to offer for almost every diver from the novice to the "Techies".

Ruby E

  • The Ruby E, a 165-foot long Coast Guard Cutter, was sunk as part of the Artificial Reef Project in June of 1989 and sits in about 85 feet of water.
  • She has been down for over 20 years with the harsh environment taking its toll. There are areas where the sides of the superstructure and hull are getting quite thin, but the wreck remains intact. She sits upright on the bottom and is intact and penetrable. However, caution should be taken when penetrating, as sharp rusted metal is all around. Most of the wreck is covered with growth, such as strawberry anemones.

NOSC Tower

  • Built in 1959 and used through the late 1980s, this research platform was used by the Naval Electronics Lab (NEL) and Naval Ocean Systems Center (NOSC), hence where it got its name. It once stood over 100 feet tall and was the naval
  • research center for measuring internal waves, swell, wave propagation and numerous other oceanographic areas.
  • In 1988, during El Nino, huge waves battered the Tower and during the night, a rogue wave smashed into the tower toppling it forever onto the ocean floor. Today, it's a tangle of girders and beams. A previously good dive site, is now even more intriguing, as time and the inhabiting marine life have really developed the site in one of the most colorful and populated in San Diego.

Pt Loma Kelp Beds

  • Glide through the underwater forests of Point Loma. Large rocky reef bottoms covered by thick kelp canopies provide homes for a wide variety of creatures. Depths range from 35 to 80 feet.
  • Many different types of kelp are found in kelp forests, among them are giant kelp, bullwhip kelp, the palm kelp and the feather boa kelp.
  • Underwater kelp forests shelter snails, crabs, shrimp, starfish, sea anemones, sea cucumbers, brittle starfish, many species of nudibranch's, California spiny lobsters and many other marine creatures.
  • You'll be swimming among pinnacles and rocky terrain with lots of structures. Diving through giant kelp beds is a unique experience.

Coronado Islands, Mexico

  • The Coronado Islands is a great dive destination for all certification levels.... for those getting certified to experienced tech divers, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Visibility is usually much better than coastal San Diego dive sites.
  • Recently, we've seen 70'+ visibility at some of the sites. The islands also host harbor seals and sea lion pups who are just waiting for us to show up to have something new to play with. They may even nip your fins - but they're friendly, playful & very cute!

Packages & Rates

Scuba Dive Trips

Trip prices include: use of air tanks (LP Steel 85's), sse of hard lead weights and Food (hot soup, bread, chips, salad, fruit, water and punch).

Charter

Price

1 Tank Night

$70

2 Tank Local

$104

3 Tank Local

$114

2 Tank Extended Local

$125

3 Tank Extended Local

$140

2 Tank Mexico

$159

3 Tank Mexico

$169

2 Tank Tech

$134

Hogan/Coronado Islands

$159

Private Dive Charters

Full boat charter prices for Coronado Islands does not include the $25 per person required Mexican VISA.

Charter

Price

2 Tank Local Weekday

$1,260

2 Tank Local Weekend

$1,810

3 Tank Local Weekday

$1,370

3 Tank Local Weekend

$1,920

2 Tank Coronado Weekday

$1,485

2 Tank Coronado Weekend

$2,145

3 Tank Coronado Weekday

$1,595

3 Tank Coronado Weekend

$2,255

2 Tank Tech Weekday

$1,370

2 Tank Tech Weekend

$1,810

Shore Diving

Dive

Price

Non-Certified (w/ gear)

$160

1 Tank Certified

$80

2 Tank Certified

$125

Air & Nitrox

Option

Price

Nitrox Tanks

$13

Nitrox Fills

$10

Air Fills

$6

Air Fills (10)

$45

Air Fills (100)

$350

Practical Information

  • Local Currency: USD (US Dollars)
  • International Airport: San Diego International Airport
  • Language: English
  • Time Zone: UTC-8
  • Electricity: 120V