Catalina island...

[scubacorn]

I agree, dr. bill. I can never say enough good things about Catalina. I compare it to Big Bear, just over an hour away, but seems like a world away. I'm returning mid-December, how about a little update on conditions and bug counts?

 

[drbill]

I've been off-island for over a week so I can't offer much on current conditions. I have heard the visibility was exceptionally good last week. I hope it holds through the weekend as I'll be diving Fri-Sat-Sun.

 

[sardiver]

I dived the backside at Twin Harbors several years ago. We were on a fishing trip off Clemente and made an overnight stop there. I dove in the evening on a solo for aout an hour and a half. Vis was about 15', but loads of fish to look at.
At one point, out of the murk, I saw a very large roundish shadow moving quickly towards me. For a few seconds, my heart stopped as I thought it was a large white shark. Turned out to be a tangled ball of kelp flying through the surge. Nothing like letting your imagination run away with you!!!

 

[corybaby]

First off, sorry for the untimely posting, but im still trying to figure out the format of the board.
Your story of the big ball reminded me of one time at eagles nest, to the west of the site there is a nice wall that drops to probably 1oo ft, one time we were about 70 and saw a large object that really wasnt moving very fast so as we pulled closer to investigate we saw that it was a Mola Mola, way coool! he or she? it let me get within inches of it and im telling you they are cool, little tiny mouths as they eat only jellyfish.....and of course me without my camera................ahhhh what a day that was......just wanted to share~
corybaby
hope i did this one right?

 

[scuba1456]

As for some one who is new to the board I say thanks for bringing this thread back into the for front. It would of taken me a while to get to it.

 

[rockie_diver]

It sounds like you had an awsome time!
I'm in LA next week. I thought of doing a little side trip to Catalina.
Did you dive from shore or do a boat dive? If you did a shore dive did you do a guided tour or did you strike out on your own?

Thank you

 

[dpbishop]

You can shore dive at the Casino, no need for a dive guide. Take the early ferry over & rent your stuff at one of the friendly dive shops. Check out the Catalina sticky thread at the top of this forum for lots of good info. If you want to do a boat dive (better diving imho) you're probably better off doing one from LA. California Dive Boats : The Official Page Unless you want to spend the night on the island, always a pleasant escape.