Shaw's Cove

Shaw's Cove is a shore dive in Laguna Beach, California, and quite possibly the most popular dive site in Orange County. It is a protected, no-take Marine Protected Area, so no hunting is allowed, and there is a lifeguard stand. It is well protected from large swells. Depths run from the surface to about 51 feet (16 m), and the site suits shore divers of all levels, including beginners.

The site is at the top of the Laguna hill near Cliff Drive, with ample residential parking and no bathroom facilities. The entry is sandy. Use the handrail on the stairs between the parking lot and the beach, and use a surf entry that suits the conditions. Beginners enter at the sandy beach and surface-swim out to the reef. It is also popular for night dives, and June to September is the busiest period.

Lobster, sheephead, garibaldi, senoritas, bat rays, sand bass, sculpin, giant black sea bass, blacksmith, octopus, horn sharks, leopard sharks, halibut, blennies, moray eels and nudibranchs are all commonly found here. Visibility ranges from about 5 to 30 feet (1.5 to 9 m), and water temperature from 52 to 78°F (11 to 26°C). The best time is during small to flat south swells and at slack tide.