Snorkeling in Newport Beach, California – The O.C.

In amidst all the opulence, there is some fantastic snorkeling in Newport Beach, from beaches just outside of million dollar homes in Little Corona del Mar Park to gorgeous, untouched coves at Crystal Cove State Park.

Newport Beach is a symbol of the wealth in one of the most coveted areas in southern California, Orange County. The home to the rich and the famous, this enclave by the Pacific Ocean attracts anyone who wants a taste of luxury. But unknown to many, there are some fascinating areas to go snorkeling along the Newport Beach coastline.

There are two fantastic places to go snorkeling in Newport Beach: Little Corona del Mar Beach and Crystal Cove State Park. While the aquatic profiles of both locations are very similar, the experiences will be much different depending on your choice.

Little Corona del Mar is a small beach right off the seaside neighborhood of Corona del Mar and next to the jetties which guide boats from the Newport harbor. It’s the getaway in middle of the urban oasis. On the other hand, Crystal Cove State Park covers almost 4,000 acres of land in south Orange County with over three miles of coastline. Due to the bountiful marine life underwater off of Crystal Cove State Park, this marine area has been designated as Crystal Cove Underwater Park, which regulates fishing to conserve the marine habitat for all to enjoy.

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Newport Beach Snorkeling Profile:

• Water Visibility: Fair. Nothing special but the water isn’t murky at all.
• Current Strength: Above Average to Strong. Southern California is surfer’s world with strong north swells from Alaska. Always be careful out on the California coast.
• Reef Presence: There are finger corals around, but California waters are too cold to maintain coral reef systems. However, California coast is known for kelp forests which function as a key part of the habitat for marine life.
• Marine Life: Plenty of fishes swimming around, most notably the California state fish Garibaldi, as well as the occasional bigger ones such as rays and leopard sharks.
• Crowd: The crowd is relatively thin here as many folks tend to crowd in Newport Beach or down south in Laguna Beach.

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Getting There:

Closest Airport: John Wayne Airport

• John Wayne Airport is at the confluence of Santa Ana, Irvine, and Newport Beach. An urban airport conveniently located located right in middle of Orange County, it’s about ten miles from the coast. All three major airlines connect here from its hubs and regionals such as Southwest and Alaska have daily flights as well. Given the extensive number of connections across the country and its convenience to Orange County, fly into John Wayne and skip LAX or Long Beach.

Closest Major Metro: Orange County – Irvine/Santa Ana

• Orange County is an accumulation of small cities that make up this sprawling metropolis south of Los Angeles. It is the sixth most populous and the second most densely populated county in the country, as well as one of the most diverse. O.C. is one of the most visited destinations in California, and home to famous attractions such as Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Huntington Beach Pier, and Laguna Beach. This place is much more than rolling hills and impressive cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, so make sure to get your fill at this gorgeous destination.

Best Transportation Method to Destination: Fly into John Wayne Airport and rent a car

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Introduction

Orange County has had a rich horticulture history, initially starting as center of viticulture and eventually transitioning over to agriculture. Citrus crops became important during the 20th century, partly to market the area as a tropical paradise to encourage immigration, thus earning the name of Orange County. The explosion of population in nearby Los Angeles contributed to the growth of Orange County, and agriculture was replaced by commercial ventures.

Northern Orange County, typically seen as north of Irvine, is more urbanized while southern Orange County feels more exurban. The beaches of Orange County also reflect those characteristics, with northern O.C. beaches such as Huntington Beach known for its beach activities and bars while southern O.C. beaches such as Laguna Beach maintaining more of a relaxed atmosphere. Right in all middle of this is Crystal Cove Park, a stretch of unspoiled coves and beaches that serves as a reminder of the beauty of southern California.

Where to Go Snorkeling in Newport Beach

Crystal Cove

Crystal Cove State Park has over three miles of coastline, primarily characterized by bluffs that overlook the Pacific Ocean and beaches shaped by one big and two small coves. The park’s northernmost point is Little Treasure Cove, and the southernmost point is Abalone Point. The waters which encompass 120 feet off the coast bordered by these two extreme points is what consists of Crystal Cove Underwater Park.

Within the Underwater Park, the two key points on the Crystal Cove coastline to remember are Pelican Point, which is near the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Newport Coast Drive, Reef Point, by the intersection of PCH and Reef Point Drive. In between these two points is known as Crystal Cove, the most ideal area to go snorkeling.

The best areas to go snorkeling in Crystal Cove is off of Reef Point and just south of Pelican Point. You would need to swim out about 50-100 feet from Reef Point while avoiding rocks to get to the ideal area, so only strong swimmers should take this excursion. Once you go underwater, you will encounter kelp forests that act as the anchor of this habitat. There will be plenty of Garibaldis, bright colored state fish of California, surfperches, with the occasional bat rays and maybe even some leopard sharks. Crystal Cove is our top choice for snorkeling in Newport Beach.

Little Corona del Mar Beach

Little Corona del Mar Beach is the other fantastic option for snorkeling in Newport Beach. The beach is easily accessible from Ocean Blvd which traverses through the Corona del Mar coastline. Both sides of the beach have finger reefs with abundant kelp forests so start your underwater excursion there. Similar to Crystal Cove, there will be schools of Garibaldis, surfperches, opaleyes, as well as crabs and scallops all around. It won’t be as extensive as Crystal Cove but Little Corona del Mar is ideal for those looking for a real quick snorkeling trip not too far away from the city center.

Final Word:

While most seek out Southern California for the sun, there is undeniable beauty often unseen right off the California coast in the waters. If you decide that you want a diverse experience during your trip to southern California, go snorkeling in Newport Beach. While the underwater experience is similar down the coast in San Diego, as well as Catalina Island or Malibu in the north, all these places represent the California marine habitat to its fullest. Be sure to check out at least one of these locations to truly experience the beauty underneath the California coast!

Snorkeling in Newport Beach Rating: 3/5 Snorkels – Worth Checking Out!