Recommend me boats for day trip around Catalina from LA

reefvagabond · Nov 1, 2011

I'm going down to Los Angeles soon and was wondering if I could get some recommendations on some boats that will take me out to Catalina for a day trip. I'd love to dive Avalon Park as I've heard so much about it. Also is there anything I might need to know about diving in So Cal that's different from Nor Cal?

Thanks!

fnfalman · Nov 1, 2011

There's no dive boat that will go to the Avalon dive park (aka Casino Point). You'll have to take the Catalina Express ferry over and then take a taxi or have a porter service to transport your gears to the dive park & back to the dock.

There are however lots of dive boats that go to Catalina from the main land. To name a few top of my head (and the list is by no means complete): Great Escape, Sand Dollar, C Ray, Magician, Mr. C, Sundiver I, Sundiver II, Sundiver Express. The Sea Bass might make a run to Catalina, but it would be an advanced type dive because that boat tends to cater towards the advanced divers/tech divers crowd.

Oh and SoCal is about 3-F to 5-F warmer than NorCal.

reefvagabond · Nov 1, 2011

thanks fnfalman. are they any boats in paticular that you recommend?

warmer water! yay!

fnfalman · Nov 1, 2011

We all have favorites, of course. Mine are Great Escape and the Sundiver I or Sundiver Express with the Magician (Nitrox) being third choice. The Sundiver II is a six-pack boat, I believe.

blue steal · Nov 1, 2011

You might want to look at the sticky for Catalina, it has quite a bit of information on it.
I won't recommend any particular boat, but you may want to also look at californiaboatdiving.com to see which boat might suit your needs and which one would be going out when your in town.
Let us know when you are coming and I'm sure many here will look for a boat for you.

dwaters · Nov 1, 2011

Can't go wrong with fnfalman's list...my top three out of LA are Sundiver Express (smaller, fast) & Great Escape & Magician.
Here is an link to most California boats: California Dive Boats : The Official Page
Now if you are looking to go out of Ventura or San Diego, I have another list of favorites

Again Avalon dive park is a great choice....might cost a bit more if you add parking, express going over/back, air, & food but it could be more relaxing if you want to make a whole day out of it.... again check out our "sticky" for info.
And, yes, please let us know when you are in town...someone here is always diving somewhere :dork2:

fnfalman · Nov 2, 2011

Most definitely let us know when you're in town and where you want to dive, and whether or not you would want to go with a local SBer. Schedule pending, I'm always willing to play guide for visiting dignitaries.

muzikbiz22 · Nov 4, 2011

+1 for Sundiver Express. It's small, quick, and is actually custom built specifically for scuba diving. ALWAYS a great time on this boat.

reefvagabond · Nov 4, 2011

Thanks a lot guys! It looks like there's been a change of plans and I don't be diving Catalina next weekend. However I will keep you guys in mind and let you know when I eventually do dive it.

I'm originally from So. Cal, so I would love to get acquainted with some of the nicer dive sites there. Hopefully this thread will still remain useful to other people.

Recommend me boats for day trip around Catalina from LA

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