Heading to Catalina for 2nd OW dives, any tips or suggestions?

[bshmerlie]

I wish we actually got rain with these storms.

 

[IrnBear]

What day were you folks at Veterans. My daughter and I were there on Sunday the 31st..

IrnBear

 

[DownDiver]

I've dove Catalina a few times over the last number of years and everything freewillie describes is spot on. Though I might recommend bringing your credit card and keys with you. I typically keep them in a small bag inside my wetsuit. Since I first explored Catalina in the 90s, it seems like the island has been on a bit of a downhill slide from the up-scale, proud little community I was so initially taken with; last time I was there was 2011. It could be just isolated incidents from a limited perspective of a few staggered visits that inaccurately reflect the true state of affairs; however, I personally wouldn't feel comfortable leaving anything of much value near the stairs while I was in the water. I'd also mention that I've hired dive masters from Catalina divers supply and always had good experiences.

 

[drbill]

Surge was bad Thursday night and reports from a local instructor said it was bad yesterday as well. Grrr. Got to get rid of this global warming... too many darned hurricanes off Mexico affecting Catalina conditions this summer.

 

[trsills]

Irnbear, we were there on Sat the 30th.

Thanks for the feedback DownDiver.

 

[drbill]

Surge continues to be bad and is apparently expected to peak Monday.

 

[trsills]

Thx for the update drbill, we instead rescheduled for 9/20. Given my luck there'll be an unprecedented 3rd hurricane to roll through by then...geesh.

 

[drbill]

Last night's dive was pretty surgy with current... not horrible if you are just diving, but bad for imaging.

 

[bshmerlie]

Thx for the update drbill, we instead rescheduled for 9/20. Given my luck there'll be an unprecedented 3rd hurricane to roll through by then...geesh.

That sucks that you had to reschedule it.

 

[WarrenZ]

My suggestion is either Armstrong's or the lobster trap for dinner. Now I want to go back.