Best place for open water dive in socal for padi certification?

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jbaeza83

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• Feb 17, 2013

• #1

Hey guys, i will be doing my open water dives along with my wife here in socali. I just wanted to know if you guys knew the the best spot to do them? I think we can pick either Catalina or Laguna. Ive been to Catalina before but never been in the water there and ive never been to Laguna. Can you guys let me know where and why its better? Also if any of you have any underwater pictures of what to expect there that would be great. Thanks in advanced!

 

dwaters

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• Feb 17, 2013

• #2

Welcome aboard here, and hopefully soon, the underwater world!!!

You will get better viz @ Catalina and getting into the water will be easier. (Either off a boat or easy steps into the dive park @ Avalon)......but it is also good to learn to brave the surf and learn there if you plan to do further shore dives locally. Your first few open water dives will be spent on getting comfortable underwater and learning skills, so you really won't have alot of time "playing with the fishes"....that time will come

Hope to see you in the water one of these days (or nights)!!!

 

robertarak

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• Feb 17, 2013

• #3

As an instructor, my choice is always Catalina for the first Open Water dives. There are a few reasons for this. No. 1 is that it is a very controlled area, largely protected from on shore weather. 2, we almost never get blown out and need to cancel dives. 3, it is the perfect environment to learn, ie; steps in to the water, mutiple buoys for ascents and descents, fill station, food, shelter. 3, it is just SO COOL!

 

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jbaeza83

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• Feb 17, 2013

• #4

Thank you guys! I will look into doing on OW dives in Catalina then, I have been there a few times and I have seen all the divers behind the casino and it seems really cool. Also, I do like the idea of the steps leading into the water it just seems like it will be so much easier. Getting out of the water on my pool dives was a pain, im not used to caring on that weight!!! It was a little difficult for me but for my wife, it was even worse, lol. Hopefully I get to meet some of you guys later on.

 

Lopez116

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• Feb 17, 2013

• #5

The pros and cons have pretty much been covered. One other thing I'll add is that depending on where in Laguna you dive you could have a long uphill walk with gear on. Needless to say if you're wife struggled with getting out of the pool, you'll be carrying her gear up!

I do echo the sentiment that you should get the experience of entering through the surf zone at some point. As far as more viz, ease, etc, Catalina wins.

 

lamarpaulski

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• Feb 18, 2013

• #6

Catalina...no contest. Casino park specifically.