Australian-born, California-raised, pro surfer Rob Machado has spent most of his life atop a surfboard. Still one of surfing’s most iconic and beloved figures, he never strays too far from his favorite San Diego swells.

Anyone can put a mask on and go snorkeling, but to really get down and experience the undersea world firsthand, consider getting certified to SCUBA dive.

If you're already a devoted surfer, you'll find a variety of different waves and conditions along San Diego's 70 miles of open ocean coastline to beacon you to paddle out. If you're a beginner, San Diego is an ideal place to learn to hang ten. You can also simply take in San Diego's surf culture at one of the yearly surf competitions and events. There's even one for surFUR four legged shredders to raise funds for the San Diego Humane Society. 

The HMCS Yukon wreck dive turned San Diego's Wreck Alley into a must-see diving destination.