Snorkel Little Corona Beach

Little Corona Beach is one of the most scenic spots along this stretch of Orange County. White sand anchored by fascinating rock formations on each end of the beach keep it photogenic. Prior to the hurricane storms in Mexico during the summer of 2014, large forests of kelp could be found off Little Corona. However, these storms dramatically changed the nature of the beach, wiping out large quantities of kelp. Still, a large variety of fish, mostly small, call this location home. Visibility here can be excellent, rivaling even La Jolla on occasions. Most of the fish easily visible to snorkelers congregate in the southern portion of the cove, but be mindful of the sharp rocks nearby. I have only seen a few leopard sharks in this locations, most of the fish tend to be Garibaldi and Opaleye, although many more can be spotted (just watch the video!).

Strong rip curents exists at this location as with many California beaches. A small stream that flows into the cove also adds sediment after rainstorms. Rocks are often deposted by storms just at the tidewater edge, making entry tricky on occasion. Finally, large swells on occasion can wipe out any good snorkeling opportunities.