San Diego Scuba Diving & Party Boat Charters | Marissa Charters

Diving in San Diego is beautiful and FUN, but undoubtedly can be a challenge! Preparing Mentally and planning your dive accordingly will ensure you have a successful cold water dive! If you are new to San Diego, Please read this throughly! We want you to have the best time on board the Marissa. We LOVE scuba diving in San Diego and believe our waters have a lot to offer! However, we find that being MENTALLY PREPARED for the types of conditions San Diego often has, results in fun and successful dives. You will find the naked unvarnished truth in the paragraphs below, please contact us with any further questions or concerns or if you need help in any way. Temperature Despite our city's sunny disposition, San Diego waters are COLD at depth. Temperatures range from the coldest 46-48ºF (usually) in February- March and the warmest (usually) August-October -54º-58ºF, but most of the year you can count on a solid 52ºF. Exposure Suit This is COLD especially when performing multiple dives. We recommend at least a 7mm Wetsuit, a hood, gloves, and boots (generally these are 3-5mm) or a drysuit. Some people find this level of exposure protection uncomfortable and restricting. If you are this person, you may consider sitting this one out. Weighting Wearing this amount of exposure protection results in diving with a LOT more weight than say, when you dove in Florida or Hawaii. We find that a good rule of thumb for weighting yourself properly is 10% of your body weight +~6lbs if diving a standard Aluminum 80cuft tank. Conditions San Diego Sits in the Catalina eddy and is therefore more protected than many other parts of Coastal California. However, we get our fair share of challenging conditions you should be prepared for. Visibility We are pretty excited when the visibility is 25ft! We like to call this our "average" visibility here in San Diego. Often the visibility is <5ft and sometimes when we are really lucky (usually in the fall - Aug-Oct) we get a couple of weeks of STELLAR 60-100ft of visibility. But you should expect visibility that <5ft ;), then you won't be disappointed. Surge Surge is the back and forth movement influenced by the swell while you are at depth. This back and forth motion pushes divers from a few inches to a few feet in one direction, and then, a moment or two later, pushes the diver back a few inches or a few feet in the other direction. This back and forth motion is SURGE. Traditionally, divers handle surge by "going with the flow" surge typically will put you back nearly where you started. If you must, you can anchor yourself to a rock, wreck etc, but this strategy has been known to cause more stress on the diver. See what works best for you and go with the flow! Currents We get mild to moderate surface currents, nearly every afternoon and sometimes in the morning. We have a current line to assist you to the anchor/down line, but you should be prepared and know how to dive in a current (ex. perform your dive into the current instead of with it etc). Our Surface currents typically disappear around 20 feet deep, but you will want to plan for drift on your safety stop if you miss the anchor/up line for your ascent. Wind Wind is another potential source for task-loading. When the wind blows on the ocean it creates "wind waves" often these are little splashes of water that seem to aim right for your open mouth. So we recommend diving with a snorkel or with your regulator in your mouth when you are surface swimming. We also recommend swimming with your back to the wind waves, when navigationally possible, so the wind waves splash on your back and hood and not in your face. Swells We are very conscious of the swell reports and size of swells we run trips in. We cancel trips for large swells. However, despite referencing several regionally, local and micro forecasts, the "weather man" still sometimes gets it wrong. We all know this from our "on land" weather. Of course, we will cancel any trip at any time, if we deem it unsafe for the divers to dive, get back up the swim ladder etc. However, normally, when we go out, there is a small 1-3' swell. You should expect this. This is normal ocean behavior! Add a little wind and the 1-3' swell can feel a little like driving over a rocky dirt road in your grandmas ancient Oldsmobile with bad shocks.;) (bump-bump-bump, (wind waves), rocky-rock-rocky (swell). Again, it's really just fine as long as you know what to expect! Conclusion There is no reason to be scared of Cold water diving, but every reason to be prepared, mentally, physically, and with the proper gear. Cold water diving is very FUN! We have a myriad of nudibranchs which are every color in the rainbow, and plentiful! No matter the visibility, you can always find a colorful nudibranch! We have a abundance of Sea Life! Part of what makes our waters so cold and often lower visibility is the cold water upwellings off the giant trenches off our coast! This creates a plethora of plankton life, which attracts a LOT of other, larger sea life. We welcome you to join us, prepared...and to have fun!

Our waters are COLD all year long at depth. At depth during the late winter through early summer is generally 50-52F. It is cold. You will need at least a 7mm wetsuit with a hood, gloves, and boots. Often in late summer, early fall through early winter the water warms up to 55-58F. You Miiiigght choose to dive without gloves or a hood this time of year (but definitely bring them) Even when the surface is in the 70's it's pretty darn cold underneath!

Visibility can range greatly from day to day. During the late winter, spring and early summer months, we experience visibility from 5-30ft. During the late summer, fall, and early winter the visibility clears up and is often 40-100ft!

Open Water / Beginner level dives are dives that have a less than 60'bottom. Intermediate level dives are Open Water Certified dive compatible, but may have hazards that are better handled by a person with a few more dives under thier regulator. Some Intermediate level dives have a pinnacle starting shallower than 60' and ending far below 60' these are not wall dives, but pinnacles, so a gradual slope to a deeper depth is withing reasonable swimming distance. On these dives, it is possible for you to stay at 60' and still have a fun, complete and safe dive. Some Great Open Water / Beginner lever dives sites include the following: Ingraham Street Bridge - Depth ~ 60ft Ancient Caverns ~55-62ft Lost City - DEPTH ~20-30ft Horse Head Reef - Depth ~40-60ft

Some great Intermediate level / Advanced level dive sites are: CONNORS CANYON - DEPTH 45-75ft HIGH SPOT - DEPTH 45-70ft RUBY E - DEPTH 65-85ft (Deck of the Ruby E is at 65ft - Sand is at 85ft) CHRIS'S ROCK - DEPTH 65-75ft CHELSEA LEE REEF - DEPTH 65-90ft

HMCS Yukon Depth - 65 - 105ft - 65ft to the deck, 105ft to the sand *MUST have an Advanced Certification or Deep Certification Train Wheels Depth - 65-105ft Strawberry Ledges - 66 - 115ft Puzzle Pieces Rock - 88 - 107ft Anger Management - 85 - 105ft

After the El Niño year hit in 2016, the beautiful and thick Giant Kelp Forests have diminished significantly. Many of our sites that were once thick with Giant Kelp are now rocky reefs with some kelp stalks. They still house beautiful sea life and are wonderful sites, but may not have the amount of Kelp they once had. We are hopeful that the water will cool down and the Kelp will grow back. :)

YES! We do! We have resumed Coronado Islands trips! Coronado Islands is an ALL Day trip You MUST hold & BRING & KEEP a physical, valid passport BOOK on board with you! NO WEAPONS OF ANY KIND NO MARIJUANA, OR OTHER FEDERALLY ILLEGAL DRUGS Fee Breakdown (Paid at checkout) Mexico Conservation permit - $15 per person Mexico Tourist Day Pass - $55 initial charge* City Tax 10% of all funds collected Fuel Surcharge (just until it goes back down) + 2.3% **the fee is charged in Pesos. The fee is 983 pesos per person, If the peso-USD exchange rate is more than$55 per person, we will assess an additional charge for that amount. The receipt is carried on the boat, please ask to see it. Get Ready for a FULL day of fun dives! We plan 3-4 dives each trip, 3 guaranteed, 4 if you plan your last dive accordingly. Then, we look for whales and dolphins on the way back by skimming over the Coronado trench! When you have a moment, please read this (very long) info page in its entirety. Yes, it's long—but it’s packed with everything you need to know to plan your dive. Yay, info! 🗺️ Plan Your Dive, Dive Your Plan: Steps to a Great Day Aboard the Marissa (Already know what we provide? Skip to Step 5 for Dive Day Itinerary) ✅ Step 1: Book Your Dive? ✔️ Congratulations! You’ve completed the first step in your exciting adventure aboard the *Marissa*! 🎉 --- 📬 Step 2: Pre-Trip Reminders All trip correspondence, including cancellations, is done via email. Weather-related cancellations will be announced 12–24 hours prior to your trip. If you're traveling and need more advance notice, please TEXT me ASAP with how much notice you need. --- 🤿 Need a Dive Buddy? We’ve got you covered. TEXT Captain Lora, she has all the deets. If you signed up solo, we’re happy to pair you with another diver who’s also looking for a buddy. We often have generous, super-awesome regulars who are happy to include others in their group—and I usually know exactly who those people are. If you'd like me to check for other single divers or welcoming regulars on your trip, just let me know. I’m happy to connect you and, if both parties agree, even exchange contact details ahead of time. You never know who you’ll meet on the *Marissa*—we’ve had guests find lifelong dive buddies (and even best friends) out here. We're always stoked to help build those connections! 👀 Step 3: Pre-Arrival Checklist (See Above for What’s Included): - If you're on a special diet, we’ll do our best to have something for your specialness ;) Hopefully you noted this on your reservation, but if you missed it please TEXT Captain Lora! --- 💪 Gear You Bring (So You Don’t Curse Yourself Later): Be sure to bring the following (along with your dive gear, of course!). Side note: Do not underestimate the importance of getting warm and dry-ish between dives. (Snuggling with your hot buddy—or the boat crew—for warmth is *not* what we mean.) Water temp is usually 50–52°F. (See Above for What’s Included) --- 🤢 Seasickness Advice You’ll Thank Us For: Even if you *think* you won’t get seasick, it’s worth being prepared. We’ve seen guests have the most success with Dramamine (less drowsy), Bonine, or ginger (ginger is hit-or-miss). What seems to work best: Take the recommended dose of your chosen remedy the night before your trip, and again about 2 hours before boarding. Regular strength Dramamine has made some people too sleepy to dive, so be sure to test how it affects you in advance. --- 📍 Step 4: Land Navigation (Getting to the Boat) Mission Bay Sportcenter 1010 Santa Clara Place San Diego, CA 92109 Once on Santa Clara Place—look for the second break in the median and TURN LEFT. You’ll pass swing sets and a baseball field, then you’ll see the lot. Park HERE :) Parking is free, but limited. We recommend carpooling. The lot turns over often, so stay patient—something will open up! Once you find a spot, go around to the left of the building, between the two large sets of outrigger canoes, and down to the dock. Our boat is the only dive boat on the dock. We open the gates at 8 am, so feel free to stage your gear by the dock gate until then. There is a bathroom in the building for any "heavy lifting" you might need to do before the trip. Once you see the dock gate, follow the sidewalk path past that and continue straight, the side walk will curve to the right and the bathrooms are just ahead. --- 📆 Step 5: Dive Day Itinerary Here’s a quick rundown of how your day aboard the *Marissa* will go—because the only surprises we like are *octopuses doing weird stuff*. --- ➡️ ARRIVAL Arrive a few minutes before your scheduled boarding time. (*Reminder: boarding time is when you're expected at the dock and ready to get on the boat—it’s not the departure time!*) --- ✅ CHECK-IN & SET-UP Check in with a crew member, show your certification card, and confirm your digital waiver is on file. Head to your personal gear station—your crate and personal mask rinse bucket will be labeled with your name and waiting for you. You’ll also have a color-matched, labeled dry bin in the "dry-ish" area. This bin will house your snack bag, Marissa swag bag, starter water bottle, and (when you arrive) your dry gear. Take your time setting up. No rush—we want everyone safe, steady, and relaxed. Before we depart, we’ll go over a pre-departure safety briefing. While transiting through the bay, we’ll share a general dive safety briefing, and once we reach the site, we’ll give a dive-site-specific briefing to get you ready to splash. --- ☕ TRANSIT TIME, SNACKS & COFFEE Grab a snack, sip something warm, and enjoy the ride. Transit time is typically 2 hours to the islands. --- 🌊 DIVE DIVE DIVE! Dive 1: Expect a relaxed recreational dive—up to 45 minutes underwater (diver- and condition-dependent). Surface Interval: At least 45 minutes, ideally around 60 min. It’s the perfect time to warm up, hydrate, snack, and geek out about what you saw. Identify sea life with Captain Lora’s laminated Fish & Nudi ID books. Meanwhile, the crew will serve warm drinks, hot water bottles to snuggle with, and refill your tanks. Dive 2: Another solid 45-minute dive at a new site—let’s go find something cool! Dive 3: Yet Another! Solid 45-minute dive at a new site --- We will stay here for the remainder of the time left, If you can fit 2 dives in you are more than welcome to:) --- 💦 Let’s Talk Bodily Fluids (It’s About to Get Personal): SPIT: We provide baby shampoo defog, but if you're *set* on the traditional “spit & swish,” wait until you're in the water and floating on the surface. After your dive, take off your mask and do the *motorboat*—rinse off that inevitable scuba snot. (Trust us. We take photos.) URINE: Please DO NOT pee on the deck. Not in your wetsuit, not through your pee valve. Not now, not ever. If you need to pee: - Use the head - Ask the crew if you can hop in the water - Drysuit divers: hang a leg over the side (*only when the boat is stationary—never in motion*) We—your crew, your dive buddies, and even our barefoot beagles—walk around the deck. Please don’t make us splash through your puddle. If you're a wetsuit pee-er (no judgment), please do a wetsuit flush before getting back on board. Open the neck of your wetsuit and let the ocean do its work. 🧊 It's a long day sharing one bathroom! Please be mindful and respectful of odors, bathroom cleanliness and general small group of strangers ediquiette. --- 🧼 AFTER DIVE WRAP-UP After the last dive, you’re welcome to start breaking down your gear at your own pace. No pressure, we have a long ride back. When you are packing up, Please remember to return any borrowed weights before going home. 🌶️ We Will serve chili on the way back, with sweet Hawaiian rolls, Sharp cheddar cheese, Miltons Gluten Free Crisps and anything else Captain Lora is craving that day ;) We have fizzy drinks, and hydration packs! Take this time to Rehydrate and rest :) --- 💸 Tip Jar + Cookie Tray = Our Love Language As we re-enter the bay, we’ll put out the tip jar and a cookie jar as our way of saying thank you. Tips aren’t required—but they’re *very* appreciated. We accept cash and digital tips. Side note: Your crew works *tirelessly* to give you the best experience possible. If you tip your server 15% for a burrito, consider what the Marissa Crew is doing: hauling tanks, keeping track of bubbles, keeping you safe, and making your day awesome. Customary tip is 15–20% of the LISTED ticket price—but feel free to go wild 😉 --- 🚿 POST-TRIP RINSE & DISEMBARKING Once we’re docked, you’re welcome to use the hose on the dock to rinse your gear. Take your time disembarking—we’d rather you enjoy the last few minutes of the trip than feel rushed. --- You can also tag us on Instagram [@MarissaCharters](https://www.instagram.com/marissacharters)—we LOVE seeing your dive day through your lens. You might even get featured! 🎥 Don’t forget to follow us on [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@MarissaCharters) for dive clips, boat shenanigans, and underwater weirdness.

Yes, we supply tanks. All of our AL80's have "pro-valves" which means they can accomodate DIN and Yoke regulators. We do have 2 steel 100’s DIN ONLY, on a first come first serve basis.

Yes, we have mostly hard weights and a small amount of soft weights.

Yes, we supply a snack bag and bottled water for each customer, and fizzy drinks, hot tea, and coffee are available on request. Snack Bags include: Chips Muffins Danish Aussie bites or Paleo Bar Granola Bar Fruit Snacks Fruit Candy (totally a must) Anything else that Capt Lora thinks looks fun:) Vegan/Vegetarian/Gluten Free options are available.

You will reap the benefits from our years of experience, IF you bring the following along with your dive gear, of course. Do not underestimate the importance of being able to get warm and dry. (NO, your "HOT" buddy’s (or boat crew’s) body-heat is not what we are talking about!). The water temperature is between 50-52 degrees; with multiple dives, getting warm between them will make your day that much more AWESOME! ➢ Exposure Suit: 7mm wetsuit or drysuit ➢ Dive gear (unless you are renting) ➢ Sunscreen ➢ Dry Towels ➢ Dry Clothes ➢ Sweatshirt or jacket to keep warm ➢ Seasickness Medication ➢ Government Issued ID ➢ Certification Card ➢ Tip for the Crew Trust me; if you have ANY thoughts of seasickness, you may want to try some seasickness medication (JUST DO IT!), such as Dramamine, Bonine or even Ginger. Seasickness can ruin your dive trip (and everybody else’s) so please do your body a favor and come prepared. Dramamine comes in a "less drowsy" formula, and Bonine is a less drowsy formula, (in my humble opinion) regular strength Dramamine sometimes makes a lot of people too sleepy to think right the day of, better to take this one the night before. We (as in the UNIVERSE) have found the most effective way to ward off seasickness is by taking the recommended dose the night before, then again 2 hours before the trip. But of course….it’s your call.;)

If you are from out of town, we are happy to facilitate rental gear through House of Scuba and provide a pick up / drop off service. We understand it is difficult to travel with rental gear and are happy to facilitate this for you. House of Scuba Charges: $49 - Core Package (Regulator with Computer, BCD, Wetsuit with Hood) $78 - Core Package + Personal Gear (Core package + Gloves, Boots, Fins, Mask/Snorkel) (Tanks and weights are included in the cost of your charter ticket) Marissa Charters Charges: $20 Pick up/Drop off fee Since you won't be at the shop to try on your gear we make the best size choices given the information you provide and the manufacturer size charts. So, we will need each divers: Height Weight Shoe size What size wetsuit the divers usually wears, if known. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH YOUR DIVING GEAR BEFORE BEGINNING YOUR DIVE. To help you prepare I have included the following information about the make and model of the gear you will likely receive from House of Scuba. If you receive a different model on the day of your trip it is YOUR responsibility to familiarize yourself with that specific model. Regulator - Aqualung Core You will receive one of two computers: 1. Computer - Aqua Lung i300 - Manual 2. Computer Suunto Zoop Nova BCD- Aqualung Axiom

What we PROVIDE: ➢ AL 80 tanks with DIN/YOKE Valves ➢ Air Fills ➢ Hard Weights ➢ Food and Beverage ➢ Hot Tea, Coffee, or Cocoa ➢ Warm Packs If you are on a special diet, we can do our best to make sure we have food for your special needs. Please contact us to let us know, we are happy to make sure you have food on the boat! :)

You do not need to sign up with a buddy. If you want a buddy, we will do our best on the day of the trip to pair you up with another diver or group of divers. :) Please feel free to text us and ask if there are other people needing a buddy on the day you are interested in joining us. We are happy to get you in touch with another diver that needs a buddy! :) You are welcome to dive solo, as long as you are trained to do so and honestly comfortable diving alone. We strongly prefer you have a redundant system if you are diving solo.

IN WATER Dive Masters/Guide NOT Provided: Our Dive Master DOES NOT enter the water with you. It is industry standard and USCG orders in San Diego that our Dive Master must remain on board the vessel, except in the event of an emergency/urgency on the surface. While we do not employ Guides/Dive Masters, we are happy to get you in touch with one of our "Trusted Dive Masters". We are happy to do the leg work for you and find out which trusted DM is available for the requested date and then facilitate an exchange of contact information :)

Yes, we have and fill Nitrox on board. The cost is 12$ per fill for single tanks, $24 per fill on doubles. We generally pump 32%, but can pump up to 40%.

Our prices are reasonably priced:) and we only take 10 Divers! So you won't be overcrowded!:) 2 Tank local trips cost $159-175 (all fees and taxes are included in that price)

We have a continuous blending system, that can pump 22%-40%. Tanks do not need to be O2 Clean. Our system is NOT O2 Clean, so we do not recommend using your O2 Clean tanks.

With inflation and Fuel Prices skyrocketing, we have had to eliminate most discounts in lieu of raising prices. We do have charter pricing and a fancy pamphlet.

All of the dive times listed on our website and your confirmation email are BOARDING times. Meaning the time you need to be at the boat. We depart after everyone has signed in and safety briefings completed. We give Boarding times not Departure times.

Trip Minimums: Trips must meet a minimum number of passengers to run, pre-purchased tickets count towards this minimum. Minimum Numbers: ➢ 2 Dive Trip -- 5 Passengers

Cancellation by the Customer: We now offer Trip insurance through our booking platform you can add to your trip during the online checkout process. You pay a small fee to protect your booking against the unexpected. If they you to cancel for a covered reason, you’ll be refunded. All Customers are responsible for giving the required notification of cancellation via email as per our policies listed below. To receive a full credit or refund the following must be observed: - Individual Ticket holders - 7 days before the boarding time of the trip -Groups of 4-8 - 15 days (168 hours) before the boarding time of the trip -Groups of 8+ - 21 days before the boarding time of the trip ➢ Cancellations received from individuals or groups with less than the above-stated notice, from the beginning of the scheduled trip, the Ticket holder or group will be charged the list price for the trip and will not be eligible for a credit, refund, or rain-check, and forfeit all charges for the full list price of the trip. ➢ If a Voucher is used the voucher holder will be charged the full list price for the trip for "No-Shows." ➢ A valid Credit Card must be held on file for any reservation, in the case of such an event, if no credit card is on file the reservation is considered invalid. ➢ Requests for refunds will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Requests for refunds must be submitted in writing (or email) no later than 7 days after the trip. I do my best to be reasonable about cancellations due to illness or emergencies. Please do not abuse this.

We are firmly committed to running ALL trips possible and will do everything in our power to do so! We are also committed to your safety! We do not cancel trips lightly, we do our best to respect your travel time, travel plans, etc. We consult the Noaa Regional forecast, and several micro-climate local forecasts. We make the best decision possible based on the information available. ALL CANCELLATIONS WILL BE VIA EMAIL - Please make sure you check your emails up to the night before the trip. If you are traveling from out of town PLEASE, check with me 3-5 days before your trip and ask how the forecast is looking! We typically make decisions 12-24 hours prior to the trip, but I am happy to look at the forecast and let you know if there is any crazy or iffy weather predicted. ➢ Marissa Charters Owners / Captains reserve the right to cancel any trip for any reason, at any time, and within any time frame. ➢ In the case of cancellation due to inclement or hazardous weather and/or sea conditions, a refund will be issued. We are more than happy to reschedule your trip for you, just let us know :)

Yes! Mostly :) Given that these tickets are SO old and most were sold before we took over the boat in late 2009 and therefore did not see the income produced by these tickets. We have decided to accept the paid value on the tickets for you to use towards open boat trips. Unfortunately, due to some fake tickets that were reproduced, we require a bit of information first. We require the ticket to be intact (both stubs present). Ticket numbers and a photo of the tickets must be emailed to us to verify the tickets are still valid. Once we validate them, we will work with you and schedule your first trip. Then bring any tickets included in your request to the boat on your scheduled dive day. We will then exchange them for an online code you can use anytime :) on our online system. Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to seeing you out with us!

YES!! Marissa Charters, Inc. welcomes tech divers, decompression divers, rebreather divers, sidemount divers and scooter divers. Additionally, we allow deco/bailout bottles necessary for your dive. HOWEVER, you must carry a valid certification for the equipment and profiles you intend to dive that day. This means that your certification must be valid and non-expired. FOR EXAMPLE: A diver carrying a CCR MOD1 card will only be permitted to dive a no-decompression profile, regardless of his open circuit certification level. At Marissa Charters Inc, we prioritize safety and expertise in diving, and we want to ensure that all our clients have the necessary qualifications to enjoy a safe and fulfilling diving experience with us. If you have any questions about specific certifications or equipment requirements, please don't hesitate to reach out to our team for further clarification.