Billed as “The Diving Event of the Year,” The Long Beach Scuba Show has been a favorite with divers for over a quarter-century. If you love the idea of rubbing elbows with other divers from all over the planet, gaining valuable information during seminars, and taking the opportunity to win some incredible door prizes, this is one scuba expo not to be missed.
When
The annual Long Beach Scuba Show is held at the beginning of June each year, before Southern California weather becomes too hot to handle. The show typically takes place on a Saturday and Sunday, though vendors and presenters normally arrive a day in advance to set up their exhibits.
Where
This enormous show requires an equally enormous venue. The Long Beach Scuba Show is held at the Long Beach Convention Center, which is has a beautiful glass concourse, two theaters, several meeting rooms, a huge ballroom, and an enormous arena. It is located in the heart of beautiful downtown Long Beach, just a quick walk from the waterfront. It’s easy to access from either Los Angeles International Airport or Long Beach Airport, and is located at 300 East Ocean Boulevard.
Event Highlights
With more than 300 exhibitors sharing about 76,000 square feet of space, the Long Beach Scuba Show is a feast for the eyes. In addition to vendors offering the opportunity to see and try innovative dive gear, you’ll find a number of informative seminars available on just about any dive-related topic you can imagine.
The annual film festival is not to be missed. Instead of taking place over the course of just a few hours, it runs continuously. The films presented range from 4 to 25 minutes in length, and are submitted by professional and amateur underwater videographers alike. As the festival prefers submissions which have never been screened elsewhere, you’ll get the opportunity to watch an abundance of new footage taken at California dive sites as well as at sites from all over the planet. If you have some footage you would like to share, check the scuba show’s site to learn about annual deadlines.
There’s something new and exciting around every turn here. More than 10,000 people typically attend, and the list of vendors and exhibitors grows longer every year. Whether you come for a day, or stay the entire weekend and enjoy the Saturday night party, you’re certain to have an enjoyable experience.
Places to Stay and Things to See
There are over 5,000 hotel rooms available in the City of Long Beach, and additional lodging nearby. Be sure to do your homework when booking a hotel for this event; check mileage to and from hotels if you cannot find one right in Long Beach. The good news is that if you do have to stay a longer distance from the convention center, you may be able to get a hotel room at an excellent rate.
A pedestrian promenade connects the convention center with restaurants, shops, attractions, hotels, and the Pacific Ocean, so you’ll find no shortage of things to see outside the center itself. Consider visiting the Queen Mary for a look at what life was like aboard an early ocean liner, visit the nearby aquarium, or take a two hour drive to San Diego for some outstanding wreck diving and a dip in La Jolla Cove. Whether you stick to Long Beach or go further afield, you’ll certainly enjoy every minute you spend at this fantastic event and attractions nearby.