Treasure Island Beach
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| Directions |
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| Getting
to the Treasure Island beach area in Laguna Beach is not particularly easy.
There are currently two ways for the average scuba diver to get to this
dive site. The first way (recommended due to parking) is to get there via
Aliso Beach. The second way to get there is via Victoria Street beach. Both
ways involve a serious amount of hiking along the sand and in some places
the rocks. From Aliso Beach head west, just keep walking along the sand
until you get to the rocks. From Victoria Street Beach head east, after
a hike on the sand you will get to a private building that has rocks in
front of it. You will have to cross the rocks (BE CAREFUL) to get to the
Treasure Island Beach area. |
| Parking |
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Parking
for Treasure Island is best by using the parking lot at Aliso Beach. The
parking is $1.00 per hour and you pay a machine the gives you a parking
receipt that you put on the dash of your car. |
| Beach
Access |
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Beach
Access via Aliso Beach is best done by going along the beach just before
the rocks. Enter from the sandy beach just before the rocks and snorkel
over to the beach area. I have tried the hike across the rocks (YES, with
SCUBA!) and found it to be very difficult and dangerous! The wet suit catches
on the rocks, the water water surge knocks you over, your tank bangs into
the rocks, just do the snorkel. |
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This
is what you would be trying to get through if you get to the beach by going
across the rocks. It is possible, but the passage way is very narrow and
the water is rushing back and forth. The rocks here are slippery also. If
you do decide to try this don't just rush in. Take your time and get a feeling
for the waves first. Time your entry when the waves have subsided, then
go slow and careful. Most importantly keep moving, if you hesitate the waves
come back and try to knock you over. |
| Facilities |
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| Facilities
at Treasure Island Beach are the Beach, Only. At Aliso Beach there are bathrooms,
showers, and when it's open a snack bar. You have plenty of parking available
at Aliso. |
| Diving |
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Diving
at Treasure Island is in a small cove area that is just pas the rocks that
border Treasure Island and Aliso Beach. The water is shallow, 18 to 25 ft,
and can be surgy. Since this area is such a pain to get to you won't find
many divers going there. Because of this you can find fish that you might
not other wise see. I have seen large halibut (4ft) and bass here. The first
picture is of the beach at Treasure Island. |
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This
picture is from the rocks just above Treasure Island Beach. The picture
shows how clear the water is, you can see the rocks and kelp in the cove
even from above the water in some cases. This area is best when the water
is calm and clear. The conditions at Aliso beach can be used to judge the
conditions at Treasure Island. Look for a day with NO waves and check with
Laguna Sea Sports about the relative water clarity. |
