Water Sports

Boating, Kayaking & Jet Skiing

Long Beach Windsurf & Kayak Center (3850 E. Ocean Blvd., near Belmont Pier, Long Beach. 562/433-1014) gives kayaking lessons starting at $90 an hour and in-line skating lessons ($45 an hour). For boat and Jet Ski rentals in spring and summer, call Offshore Water Sports (128 E. Shoreline Dr., Rainbow Harbor, Long Beach. 562/436-1996). Marina Boat Rentals (13719 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey. 310/574-2822), behind the El Torito eatery in Fisherman's Village, rents single and double kayaks as well as speedboats, cruisers, and sailboats by the hour or half day. Malibu Ocean Sports (29500 PCH, across from Point Dume, Malibu. 310/456-6302) has kayak rentals and lessons, as well as moonlight kayak cruises in Marina Del Rey and kayak tours along the Malibu coast. Jack Galper's Pacific Paddlers (877/776-5292. www.pacificpaddlers.com) is a great choice for introductory kayaking lessons. Each person is paired with an instructor in a two-person boat before advancing to a single boat. Galper also organizes a weekly paddling club. Rocky Point Marine Fuels (310 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach. 310/374-9858) rents single and double kayaks.

Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

Anyone who can swim can snorkel, but you'll have to show proof of certification to strap on a scuba tank. L.A. is probably not the best place to start learning scuba -- the water's rough -- but you can get certified at one of the dive centers listed below. Snorkeling and scuba diving require calm waters, and despite its name, the Pacific Ocean does not quite fit the bill. However, there's good diving to be had if you know where to look. Try Leo Carrillo State Beach in Malibu; Abalone Cove, Malaga Cove, and Christmas Tree Cove at Palos Verdes; or, a few minutes farther east, the Underwater Dive Trail at White Point, just east of Royal Palms State Beach, which winds by rope through kelp beds, sulfurous hot springs, and underwater coves. Farther afield, there are Catalina Island, and the Channel Islands, or go down the coast to Laguna Beach. Web sites such as www.ladiver.com can give you guidance.

If you or your diving partner is injured in a diving-related accident, the 24-hour staff at the U.S. National Diving Accident Network (919/684-8111) can help you find a doctor trained to treat divers.

All the scuba equipment (and diving lessons) you'll need can be obtained from the following shops. Most rent standard scuba gear packages for $50 and up (some do discounts for multiple days or weekends). That does not include basic snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, booties, fins, and, optional, but recommended, gloves), which runs about $20 per day (or which you may be required to buy, for $200-$300). Some shops arrange diving charters to Catalina Island and the Channel Islands. Most certification packages include an open-water training trip to Catalina Island, but ask about ancillary costs such as whether the boat trip and equipment are included, for example.

You might use Pacific Wilderness and Ocean Sports (1719 S. Pacific Ave., near Cabrillo Marina, San Pedro. 310/833-2422) if you're diving at White Point or Palos Verdes. Divers Discount (3575 Cahuenga Blvd., Universal City. 323/850-5050) guarantees the lowest gear-rental rates in the area. Malibu Divers (21231 PCH, Malibu. 310/456-2396. www.malibudivers.com) may well be on your way to the diving area at Leo Carrillo State Beach, but be warned: its certification classes are so popular that rental gear may be scarce on weekends. It's just a short stroll from many popular hotels to the Reef Seekers Dive Company (8612 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. 310/652-4990. www.reefseekers.com).

Swimming

The first-rate Santa Monica Swim Center (1700 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. 310/458-8700) is open for lap swims every day (nonresidents pay $5). There's a separate pool for children and families.

Inland swimmers head to the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center (36 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena. 626/564-0330. www.rosebowlaquatics.com. $10 day pass) for its Olympic-length lap pool. It's open daily.

Whale-Watching

From December to March or April, California gray whales migrate from northern waters to warmer breeding and birthing waters off the coast of Mexico. To get an up-close look at these magnificent animals as they pass close to shore, hop aboard one of the whale-watching tours that depart from Long Beach and San Pedro; prices are $9-$18 per person, and reservations are recommended. Bring binoculars, dress warmly, and be warned that winter seas can be rough. Contact any of the expedition companies listed under Fishing, above; they all have whale-watching outings, too. Or call one of the following tour operators: Spirit Cruises (310/548-8080. www.spiritdinnercruises.com) or Long Beach Sportfishing (562/432-8993. www.longbeachsportfishing.com).

Windsurfing

Good windsurfing can be found all along the coast. Reserve in advance for lessons. Long Beach Windsurf & Kayak Center (3850 E. Ocean Blvd., near Belmont Pier, Long Beach. 562/433-1014) provides lessons for $180, including gear and wet suit. At Captain Kirk's (525 N. Harbor Blvd., near Slip 93 of L.A. Harbor, San Pedro. 310/833-3397), you can get a basic beginner's setup for $45 a day. More advanced gear will run you up to $60 a day, and beginner lessons start at $99, which includes equipment and three hours of instruction.