Topaz Jetty
Address: 703 Esplanade & Topaz Street, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
GPS: 33.83166 North 118.38945 West
|
Topaz Jetty Old Pier Pilings are just a little past
the end of the jetty and north at a depth of 45 feet. |
Entrance to public access to Topaz Jetty is at the intersection of Esplanade
and Topaz Street. |
The stairs down to the beach, there are lots of stairs. Recommend you be in
shape for the climb down and back up. |
 Arial view of stairs and jetty. Entry is to the left (north) of
the jetty. Take care to stay out of range of any anglers on the jetty.
The old pier pilings are in an area approximately even with the gap between
the white and brown buildings in the above photograph. |
 A view of the life guard station and jetty from the stairs
entry is to the right. |
Directions: This site is just a few blocks south of the Vets Park dive site. Head west on Torrance Blvd. Turn left on Catalina
Avenue. turn on to Esplande and proceed south to the intersection of Topaz and Esplande. Park where you canDifficulty:
beginner to Intermediate dive site. Due to the long stairs down, we do
recommend you be in shape. Divers need to be aware of their depth here as
there is a submarine canyon with deep depths and the unaware diver could quickly
find themselves at over 100 feet depth with out realizing it.
Type of Beach: Sandy
Average Depth:
25' - 100'+
Parking: On street and generally in short
supply. Parking on Topaz is usually more available.
Nearby dive shops: Dive-N-Surf 504 North
Broadway, Redondo Beach (Broadway and Beryl 1.2 miles north) Sea D Sea 1911 S.
Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach (Catalina and PCH 1.1 miles south).
Facilities:
restroom at the base of the stairs and about 50 yards south. Life guard station
on site.
The dive: Enter the water to the north of the jetty. Swim out being
careful to stay out of range of any anglers on the jetty. Upon reaching
the end of the jetty, drop down and continue on a 300 degree course North West
following the 45 foot depth contour to the old pier pilings. The pier
pilings are about 20-30 feet apart and easy to miss. The old Redondo Beach Pier
Number 3 is approximately even with the break between the brown and white
building just north of the jetty about 100 yards or less from the jetty. A common mistake is
starting the 300 degree course upon entry into the water. Don't do it,
wait until you are at the end of the jetty before starting your 300 degree
course. Someone has in 2004 strung a line between the pilings so if you find the
line you can follow it to the pilings. This is a sand bottom and is
probably a better night dive than a day dive. During the day you will see
small crabs, sarcastic fringe head, sea feathers and maybe a mantis or
target shrimp. If you find the pier pilings you will be rewarded with lots
of pink Corybantic Anemones. At night you will see lots more coming up out of
the canyon including octopus and rays. Around the old pier pilings out at the
end there is a rather good drop off and there have been times when the current
wants to pull you down into the canyon. This can be a beautiful dive done
mostly at the 45 foot range with some side trips to 70 plus feet if desired.
Ross Overstreets excellent map of the area
DISCLAIMER: P L
E A S E N O T E:
The Sand Eaters is little
more than a scheduling organization. It's sole purpose is to schedule a
Sunday morning beach dive and notify those who have requested to be on
the list. The Sand Eaters and it's members are not responsible for you,
your equipment, you're being teamed up with another diver, or your safety.
You and you alone are solely responsible for your diving activities!
Your participation is
voluntary. You are the only one who decides whether you dive. The Sand
Eaters make no claim to the suitability of the location and are not responsible
for dive conditions. Conditions change and there will be occasions where
a chosen location will not be suitable for diving upon arriving at the
site.
