Fun group to experience the Pacific Coast!!! Booked two trips and referred a friend who enjoyed the dive too! read more

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Lora and Chris were great. I'd highly recommend their charter. Captain and Scout were also awesome. Thanks for the goodie bags and stickers! I'm rocking one on my BCD plate right now. read more

We recently went out to dive the Yukon twice for my boyfriend's birthday. Captain Lora and dive master Chris were extremely professional, friendly, fun, and helpful. They include little snack goodie bags which were amazing in between the dives, and gave us bags full of warm water to put on our freezing bodies while waiting for our second dive (a game-changer for me). Captain Lora brings her two beagles along as well which is a treat :) they even went above and beyond with celebrating our friend's birthday and brought along mini Nothing Bundt cakes to celebrate! Overall we had a great experience and would love to dive with them again to check out some other wrecks. read more

We are regulars on this boat, due almost entirely to the superb crew, even when, as today, Captain Lora was sick and handed over controls to Captain Rod. He helped my wife fix her alternate air leak, and dive master Chris was his usual very helpful self when somebody dropped on fin on entry. He immediately dropped a weighted line, and the fin was recovered within a few minutes. They couldn't have been more helpful! Conditions were great today, and Captain Rod stopped on the way back home so that we could get photos of a young whale feeding. Definitely recommend the Marissa and her crew! read more

http://www.brianjester.us/blog Crew was very helpful, professional, knowledgeable. Felt very safe the entire dive, good surface intervals, excellent dive briefings. Food was good, fresh, hot drinks and soda are all complimentary. Tanks are refilled if needed enroute to the next dive spot. Very good operation. read more

I always LOVE a dive trip on the Marissa. Lora, Chris, and Rod are amazing and truly care about everyone on the boat. Captain Rod happened to be off the clock diving for fun the day before his birthday and he went out of his way to fix an equipment issue of mine that was unexpected. I love how organized everything is, everyone has their spot for belongings and the goodie bags are delicious. Thank you again for a great day! read more

I love diving off the Marissa dive boat. The staff is always pleasant and accommodating. The boat is neat and orderly making for simple and easy exit and reboarding. Their ladder is very diver friendly and the organization makes for an enjoyable dive. And while i thought Captain (the boats dog) was irreplaceable, Scout is working to fill his shoes. read more

Easily the best dive charter in Southern California, and there is no comparison in San Diego. They are the only boat that is actively finding new wrecks and dive sites in that area that cater to everyone from beginner/open water to deep, technical divers. I can't recommend Marissa Charters any mo read more

Marissa Charters - Pontoon causeway - Scuba Diving Near Me - San Diego,, California

The captain and her crew are very nice and knowledgeable of diving in general as well as San Diego dive sites. We had a blast and will be back!! read more

Captain Laura does a great job, cracks jokes and loves to help the divers with anything and everything. She runs a tight ship and knows the dive sites which is always great. I have DM experience and Chris does everything "by the book" and then some like clockwork. As a dive professional I would work with him any day. He's also an Assistant Instructor which makes him even more credible regardless the depth of his knowledge and experience. Snacks, water, delicious chili and chocolate chip cookies kept our group energized and ready to make all 3 dives. Captain does an amazing job imitating a sea lion when he's barking, is quite friendly but very protective of the boat and those that are on it. Makes a man really feel right at home. I recommend Marissa to anyone that is interested in diving with an amazing crew. read more

Great dive. It's was Captains Birthday! The mascot is awesome. Captain Lora and Chris are great people. I lost my GoPro the day before and went back today and found my GoPro. They are Veteran friendly and as a wounded vet they really go out of the way make make this a memorable dive. Thanks again guys! read more

Marissa Charters - Scuba Diving Near Me - San Diego,, California

The boat was a good size and with 11 on board there was plenty of room. I wanted to do a 3 dive Yukon/Ruby E with a few friends. They let us pick the day and as long as enough people signed up the trip was a go. They were extremely helpful and accommodating in that regard. The crew was great. Captain Aaron and Janelle working the deck. All super knowledgeable. Very helpful and friendly. I will definitely go again, but four stars instead of five because they did not live up to their reputation as. "The fat boat". Breakfast and snacks on way in were good and filling (fruit bagels muffins, donuts for breakfast and cookies on way in). Drinks were plentiful, (soda and water) but lunch was a bit subpar. Canned chicken noodle (mostly broth) with vegetable tray. It left us desiring more. But that is minor. I'd give them 4.5 stars if it let me. I will definitely go with them again. read more

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Great people and great boat. I booked 4 charters during a visit to SD. Captain Lora was super helpful with answering questions ahead of time and put me in touch with with a great dive guide for a tech dive inside the Yukon. The boat is supper easy to dive from even with bulkier setups like doubles or a rebreather. They fill tanks on board after the dive, which is very convenient. Chris was the DM on all 4 charters. He is super nice and helpful, always ready to jump in to untwist a strap or clip things off where needed, as well as tips about the dive sites. They run a well-oiled machine that is also a lot of fun. They are my absolute top choice next time I'm in town. read more

Diving aboard the Marissa means diving in comfort. The service is impeccable and the crew is always helpful. Capt. Laura is very knowledgeable and always has s good story to tell. The boat has a very open layout and even fully loaded is not too crowded to feel comfortable. The verify of food and beverage available is awesome. I think I enjoyed eating the food and hanging out with the crew more than the diving. Their selection of dive sites has plenty of variety to keep you happy. The boat is very versatile, they do everything from Tech diving to lobster diving. They can fill any tank with just about any gas blend. read more

Today's dive trip far exceeded my expectations. 2 great dive spots with healthy coral and animals. these guys made it fun and easy!

Great boat great crew! If you like to dive than this boat is for you. They are safe and up to date with current safety practices. They do pre dive briefings and map out the areas. They put a dive master in the water as well as keep a crew member above the water on the boat to help customers out of the water and in case of emergencies. So many div operators don't do these thing and they are so important! The boat is great and has everything you need. They can provide nitrox or trimix if you need. The have Tech experience and are good about helping less experienced divers. The service was thoughtful and phenomenal! I wish I lived closer so I could dive more with them!! read more

I went on the Marisa during a advance dive cert class. Laura and the dive master ( name I can't remember) were awesome. I was having issues with newer fins and the dive master assistant made sure they were on nice and snug. Laura provided ziplocks with warm water to warm those who got cold. They proved weights, air refills, snack bags and water, along with little goodie bags with anti fog and ect. Unfortunately Captain the beagle no longer joins us for the boat ride due to health issues, but scout was there to keep us all company. In general the staff were attentive, made sure everyone was safe and had pleasant helpful attitudes. Looking forward to diving with them again. read more

Love this Boat and her Crew! Lora and Eric took great care of my buddy and I ... to the point of putting on our Fins for us. Strange but welcome experience. While Captain kept our laps warm and those nasty Sea lions at bay. read more

I took two Open Water Diver students out with Captain Lora and the Marissa crew this weekend. We found the boat and crew to be clean, safe, smart, and fun. The boat is kept in excellent condition, there is plenty of space for dry and wet gear, divers have the option of giant stride or back roll entries, the ladder allows for use with fins, and the crew is extremely helpful. I was actually referred to Marissa Charters by another boat and look dewars to diving with them again! read more

EXCELLENT DIVE OPERATION!! Hands down one of the best SoCal has to offer. Super helpful and fun and excited for the customers to have a great time read more

Awesome crew and awesome captain...and first mate, Scout! Really enjoyed diving with them and the goodie bags! They gave me a fill on my out too which was very much appreciated!!! Definitely recommend. read more

Super friendly, knowledgeable and responsive staff! The boat mascot pups were extra adorable and I'm sure that will bring me back.

I really wanted to support this boat, but have now had 2 independent bad diving experiences on the Marissa. The first occurred a couple years ago on a trip out to the Coronado Islands. When we arrived (after a 2 hour ride) to the islands, we were boarded by the Mexican Navy and told we didn't have the "proper permits" and we couldn't dive. After being denied access by the authorities, the crew of the Marissa decided that instead of issuing a raincheck or refund, the paying customers could instead just ride 2 hours back and dive the kelp beds off Point Loma. Normally, that would be fine, but conditions were bad and my request to abstain and just get a refund were refused, which I feel is poor customer service. I was told "We already spent money on gas, so we can't give you a refund." Very recently (June 2013), I decided to give the crew another chance and booked two dives on the Marissa. At 9pm the NIGHT BEFORE my very early dive, I received a call from the crew stating that they were canceling the dive. When I asked why, I was told I was the only person who reserved and they wouldn't take just me out. When I asked why I was getting such late notice, they said they "forgot" to call me earlier in the day. I had to rent gear for the dive, so their late cancellation cost me $60 in gear rental fees. I agreed to dive with them the next day they went out, and did one dive off Point Loma. The dive briefing was non-existent, the crew was disorganized and goofing off, and overall extremely unhelpful. We were over an hour and a half late getting off the dock because they had no waivers to sign and had to go print them, etc. After the first dive of the day, a few people were getting seasick, and in between the dives the divemasters were rough-housing and chasing each other around the deck. We got a one sentence briefing about the second dive site, and overall I was too uncomfortable with the crew to even get into the water the second time. I was promised a refund for the money I lost having to rent gear and then having them late cancel on me, but since then have not had any response to several calls and e-mails. I loved the previous crew of this boat and really hoped that this boat would still be an option for diving in San Diego, but I'm sorry to say that after several bad experiences concerning safety, professionalism, and customer service, I don't feel safe diving with the Marissa and would recommend diving with another company. read more

There are several good dive boats here in San Diego. They are all safe and they all feature skilled, competent crews, but M/V Marissa is my favorite. All the operators get you to the dive sites quickly and safely, all give good safety and dive briefings, and all provide meals and/or snacks. The Marissa does all that, and goes the extra mile. Their food is the best by far. Hot teriyaki chicken with rice instead of cold cuts. Fresh fruit. Crackers, candy, chips, salsa. Hot tea, cocoa and coffee on demand. Soft drinks and fruit juices. All included. I get to dive on some of the best divesites in the world, many of them discovered by the crew of the Marissa on exploratory dives. Dive briefings are complete and comprehensive, and I am allowed to dive my own plan and profile. If I needed it, they could arrange for divemaster accompaniment and/or rental gear. I like the other boats in San Diego, but Marissa stands out for the excellence of the crew and comfort level of the boat. Fully covered dive deck, two hot showers, hot food and beverages, help gearing up and getting in and out of the water, just a general high level of service. The crew is all highly experienced divers and all are trained in rescue and first response procedures. They are helpful and courteous during dive operations, and while emphasizing safe diving, they manage to keep things fun, too. From top to bottom, stem to stern, the M/V Marissa is a top operation and the best value in San Diego for my dive boat dollar. I took some videos the other day diving from Marissa on HMCS Yukon in San Diego's Wreck Alley. Check them out here on my YouTube channel - http://www.youtube.com/user/Webmoment - they are the top links on the right side. read more

Worst dive boat ever. Had an accident involving their ladder. Had to be taken to the hospital for surgery. Captain and crew NEVER contacted me to see if I was ok. Bad business and customer service. I wish I could give them negative stars. Hospital and coast guard both contacted me. But the charter company nor the crew did. Would think they would care if I was okay? Especially since it was their dumb ladder that caused the injury. read more

Was visiting San Diego for the week of July 1st and wanted to scuba dive in San Diego. Marissa Charters set me up with a local diver as my dive buddy and he was great. Everyone couldn't have been nicer and very relaxed. They know what they're doing and they helped a newer diver like myself feel welcome and comfortable. They emphasize having a good time and really help getting in and out of the water. We did one wreck dive, the Ruby E and a canyon dive. Visibility wasn't great for the Ruby E that day but on our second dive a 5' to 6' shark swam within 6 ft of us and then seemed bored and swam away. It was the highlight of my dive and my dive buddy and another diver were debating whether it was a thresher shark or 7 gill shark. I will leave the debate to the aquatics professionals. I was just thrilled with seeing the shark up close. I'm looking forward to going to San Diego again and will call Marissa Charters when I go back. read more

Lora is great! She was able to work with my schedule and customize the dive trip to my group's needs. The boat is your standard dive boat with tanks and air. Make sure you rent your equipment or have it ready! I will definitely use the Marissa again. read more

Went on the Marissa for my first boat dives a few weeks ago. Excellent time with a great crew. They had food and drinks for us when we got on board. They gave us a good orientation of the two sites we went to. Nikki and Lora were great at explaining things and assisting everyone with gear and getting in and out of the water. The initial stress of those first boat dives was made much easier with their help. I will definitely join them again for future dives. read more

So I have to say, after going out on the Marissa, I am pretty impressed, and give them five stars as well as the Lois Ann....both of these charters are great and if you are looking to go out diving in the San Diego area, either one would be a great choice. Went out last weekend with the Marissa to the Coronados, and I had a great time the entire trip. The day was perfectly sunny, trip out was beautiful, and I felt like we got a 2-for-1 deal because on our way out we saw TONS of blue whales all over the place! They were super close to the boat, even a big one and little one once (mama and baby?), and Lora our captain was great, she stopped and let us take some pictures, and we hung out for a while and watched the whales. After a bit we started heading out for the islands again, no big deal, and all of a sudden a blue whale pops up right in front of the bow while the boat was going full throttle! Never had that happen before, luckily Lora was quick on her feet and stopped just in time, it was pretty amazing, you could see the whole whale under the water it was so close. So pretty epic trip out. We dove around the North Coronados Island, and the dives were pretty fun, lots of life, and of course sea lions to play with underwater. We did three dives, and on all the vis was awesome, water temp was pretty warm, and we saw lots of good stuff, octos, swell shark, blue-banded gobies, and the usual SoCal underwater life. After each dive there was food, and food on the trip going out and coming back in, and the lunch was really good! Pulled BBQ chicken and rice and tortillas hit the spot after a long dive... Lora's dive briefings were great, she gave good detail as to the perks of each site, and even told us about a trigger population around this one site and where to find them, and sure enough went there and they were there! Thanks a bunch, that was pretty cool to see them! So I was happy about that! The dive boat was full (14 people I believe), and a bit crowded, but we made sure we were in the water first and we hardly saw any other divers on any of our dives. Although it was crowded, it did not impede our experience in any way, and the boat was equipped to handle that many people. We did back roll entries and exited the water from their aluminum ladder off the stern, which was really nice, getting back on the boat was a breeze (if we ever get a boat, we are buying a ladder like theirs!) This is a great charter, and I wouldn't hesitate going out with them again! You can't go wrong on either the Marissa or the Lois Ann, both are great, and service the main dive sites around the area, what I do is pick a date and a site and see what their schedules look like and just go with the one that is going to the place I want to dive at....we will for sure be back!! read more

14 person trip to dive the Yukon. The boat was clean, professional and on time. Our tanks were refilled quickly and the team was very nice, and helpful with all aspects of the dive. Pre dive brief and safety brief were on point. Highly recommended. read more

The Marissa may not be the biggest boat in SD but it's definitely one of the best. I had the pleasure of doing my first ever cold water dives on her and it was an amazing experience all around! Captain Lora goes out of her way to make sure everyone on the boat is having a good time and is very attentive to all the divers needs; whether it be a hot chocolate to warm up or just some pointers about the dive site. I had a great and safe time, I'm going to try to go out again this week! read more

Lora took us out on a beautiful San Diego day to dive the Yukon. She and the Dive Master Nick were awesome. So helpful with all. She made the trip seamless, fed us, took care of all needs and made our trip PERFECT. read more

Marissa Charters - Scuba Diving Near Me - San Diego,, California

Had a great day out on the Marissa. Crew was amazing. Always asking what they could do to help while staying out of the way. Friendly atmosphere and one of the most pleasant experiences I've had on a charter. Rebreather and Tec friendly organization, able to do air and nitrox fills right on the boat. The snacks are probably the best I've had on a dive boat and the chili on the way back in was amazing. Didn't hurt that we had 70' vis on the Missile Tower and Hogan!! Great day and a great boat!! read more

I have been on the Marissa a number of times, and every time has been great and enjoyable! The crew is helpful, and the dive sites are awesome, whether it is more common sites (Yukon) or sites specific to the boat. As a heads up, the divers on the boat tend to be more experienced and more local in my experience. This is great in my opinion, as it's fun to talk to other folks about their experiences and their knowledge. I do see in other reviews that some people have found it off putting. read more

Lora and her moon boots rocked. Her crew was good too. Dove the 2x wrecks in the morning and in the afternoon. Brought all my gear except tanks. Had an excellent time: Pros: +They're on time. Underway when they said they would leave the docks. Returned to the docks when they said we would +Food was perfect. Nothing complex but plenty to chow down on. Great coffee +Dove what we paid for. No surprises, no unexpected changes, can't ask for more +Boat was a great size. They limit the patrons (as advertised) and it works +Ate lunch at a nice cafe 5min from the docks. No beer though :( Cons: -Parking sucks. Get there early and don't move your vehicle -Hot people everywhere. Super distracting -Didn't bring beer Overall good time. Will continue to recommend to my buds. Worth the cash. Epic wrecks. Wish I could dive them daily! read more

Lora, Chris and Captain (boat dog) made our dive experience amazing! We did a two tank dive to the Yukon wreck and the Ruby E wreck and had a great time. Helpful and kind, Marissa charter is a premier dive operation! Great food and warm drinks, we will never use anyone else for our So Cal diving. Thank you for a wonderful time! read more

Really so happy with our experience! Came out for 2 days of diving, kelp forests, and a day on the wrecks. The boat has a nice set up, and absolutely love being able to get air and Nitrox fills right on board! The crew is top notch. Friendly, knowledgeable, fun, professional, and prepared. Solid dive briefings. Handled whatever was thrown at them with ease and a smile. Food was great, lots of it and great variety. Great value, will definitely be going again. I've been on a lot of charters as a former dive instructor, Marissa is a big, fat, 2 thumbs up. read more

I love diving on this boat! Captain Lora and Crew are awesome and helpful always, and lots of fun. Boat is well maintained and safety is number 1. My favorite local dives have been on this boat read more

5 stars for the Marissa because... 1) the boat is small and then there's not 532 divers tring to put their gear in the same time 2) Captain Lora is great and divemaster Ashley too, they explain well the dive sites 3) the food is great, frsh fruits and muffins between dives - they just got a coffee machine ! 4) there's always flowers on the boat ! read more

First class crew and friendliest captain. I came to San Diego to do some diving. I spoke with a couple of charters before arriving. Laura was the most responsive. Her boat is clean and well organized and the crew is safe and helpful. Will definitely dive with this crew again when I'm back in the area. read more