Catalina in January need help

[shooter61]

Hey guys,
This January I will be traveling with my high school band on a little trip to sothern callie, We will be on Catalina on Sunday Jan. 1st. I have never been but the ferry from Long Beach leaves for Catalina at 9:15, so I will be on the island at 10:15ish am, I'm assuming, and again don't know never been there. I will then have untill 5:00pm to screw around. I want to get a dive or two in as this will be the 8th day with a whole lot of band people and I don't know if I can go that long:06:. So I figured hey why not go diving. I will be looking for a boat to get on or even a divemaster or istructor who wants to go for a shore dive. I am not dry suit certified but am a very confident diver and am anxious to learn about dry suit diving. I am comfortable in a wet suit to about 60 degrees. Who do you guys suggest? Also what is the water temp and viz this time of the year?
Any and all input is appreciated also websites and e-mail adresses too.

 

[drbill]

No problem, check out Scuba Luv (my fav) or Catalina Divers Supply on the Internet and you can easily arrange for shore diving at Casino Point (which is a great introductory dive location). The dive boats will have departed by 10:15 so you will be too late for them.

 

[shooter61]

Hey DR. Bill thanks for the help, you are more then welcome to join if you would like. If you are interested PM me and I'll let you know what I come up with!

 

[capybara]

We were just there over Thanksgiving weekend and the temp was 63F and vis about 50-60 ft. But last year high winds stirred up the water, making the vis zero and the boat trip was cancelled. So it can vary quite a bit depending on the weather. Do a shore dive or two at Casino Point; there are stairs that lead right into the water. You'll be fine in a 2-piece 7mm. Lots of bright orange garibaldi and big sheephead. You can go on your own with a buddy or either shop can provide dive guides. Have fun!

 

[shooter61]

Thanks for the info caybara!

 

[pasley]

A 7mm wetsuit with hood, gloves an boots should do you just fine. Water is usally in the mid 50s range.

Diving Casino Point, underwater park is cheap and not boat dependant and terrific. New Years day may present a challenge, but I will wager more than one diver will be there you could hook up with. Dr. Bill has already given you the dive shop on Catalina.

 

[ItsBruce]

Since you haven't ever been to Casino Point, here are some things to note, though Dr. Bill probably has more:
1. Casino point is at the opposite end of Avalon from the ferry dock. (It is hard to call it a ferry since I've clocked it at better than 30 kts.) However, there is taxi service for $10.
2. The staging area is a large parking lot. It is pretty much devoted to diving. Bring a tarp with which to stake out your turf and to keep some of the grit off your gear. I've never heard of anyone having stuff stolen while they are diving.
3. There is a fill station with tank rentals right there. (I believe you can rent other gear there as well.)
4. Entry is via a stairway that just leads into the water.
5. It is a great dive with lovely kelp, which is not too hard to dodge.

My arm is in a cast until 1/3 or I'd pop over and join you.

 

[shooter61]

Too bad I live in Iowa, it sounds like aolt more people dive locally a lot more in so co. then Iowans do!! But none the less thanks for all the advice! Aproxamitly how long is the ferry ride from Long Beack to Catalina, and then from the dock to Scuba Luv (pretty sure thats who I'm diving with) is it to walk? I have been e-mailing them and I think she said five minutes but I'm not sure if thats the context of the sentance was.
Thanks,
Ryan

 

[kelpmermaid]

On Catalina Express, it will take about an hour from Long Beach to Avalon. From the dock (aka Cabrillo Mole) it's about a five minute walk to Scuba Luv. You might want to check out the Catalina sticky thread, if it has not become unmanageable. It will have answers to questions you haven't even considered.