Coronado Islands Dive Trip, from San Diego
Mexican waters, 18 miles south · three to four dives · all certification levels · boards 7:30 am at Mission Bay
Marissa Charters runs full day Coronado Islands dive trips out of Mission Bay, San Diego, boarding at 7:30 am at $375 per diver. It's three to four dives across roughly ten hours including the border crossing. All certification levels are welcome. You need a valid passport book because the islands sit in Mexican waters, and the Mexican tourist permit and conservation bracelet are included in the price.
Bring a passport book
The Coronados are in Mexican waters, about 18 miles south. Bring your passport book and keep it physically on you the whole trip. Not a card, not a licence, the book. No book, no trip, and there's nothing we can do about it at the dock.
The Mexican tourist permit and conservation bracelet are included in your ticket.
The day
Boarding at 7:30 am, three to four dives, roughly ten hours dock to dock with the border crossing. It's a long day, so bring layers and eat before you come.
Why the Coronados are different
Offshore rather than local. Sea lion colonies on the rocks, kelp, and visibility that often beats what you get inshore. None of that is a guarantee, the ocean does not sign off on promises, but it is why regulars who dive Point Loma every month still book this one. All certification levels are welcome and the crew matches site selection to the divers aboard.
What the ticket covers
Everything a local trip includes, plus the Mexican tourist permit and conservation bracelet.
- Transit to and from the islands
- Core crew, a Master Captain and a Dive Master
- AL80 tanks in DIN or yoke, and air fills
- Hard and soft weights with belts
- Your own dry bin and wet bin
- Enclosed head with an electric toilet and hot shower
- Snacks and goody bags, with vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options
- Water, hot cocoa, coffee, tea and warm packs
- A Marissa swag bag
Per seat, taxes and fees included. Pay in full, or use Affirm or Klarna at checkout.
What it doesn't cover
- Nitrox fills. $16 single, $28 doubles, for nitrox certified divers
- Rental gear. Through House of Scuba, roughly $57 to $89, plus $20 for pickup and drop off
- An in-water guide. Per USCG order our Dive Master stays aboard. We'll connect you with a trusted independent guide if you want one
- Crew tips. Customary 15 to 20%. Card, cash, Venmo, PayPal, Cash App or Zelle
Where and when
Mission Bay Sports Center, 1010 Santa Clara Place, San Diego, CA 92109. Parking is free. Boarding is 7:30 am, and boarding is not departure. We leave once everyone is aboard, the passports are checked, kit is mostly assembled and the briefings are done. On a ten hour day with a border crossing in it, come at 7:30.
Questions we get about this trip
Do I need a passport?+
Yes, a passport book rather than a card, and keep it physically on you the whole trip.
How long is the trip?+
About ten hours, boarding at 7:30 am.
How many dives?+
Three to four, depending on conditions.
Do I need to be an advanced diver?+
No. All certification levels are welcome.
Is the Mexican permit extra?+
No, the tourist permit and the conservation bracelet are included in the price.