Need help choosing a live-aboard in SoCal

bethn1210 · Feb 24, 2013

Hi all!

I'm looking for a live-aboard dive operation or dive opportunity in the general area of Long Beach in late-March/April. Both me and my dive buddy are experienced divers (I'm a DM and he's an AI). We'd be bringing our own gear out, except tanks and weights since we have to fly to get to CA. We don't need anything fancy, good diving is more important to us than the accomodations. Any operations that we should look into or places to avoid? We're hoping to try diving somewhere in the Channel Islands-any areas that we should specifically look to go?

Appreciate any advice!

Beth

MaxBottomtime · Feb 24, 2013

Truth Aquatics Schedule and Rates

Apr 12-14 Ricks Diving Locker/San Diego Divers

fnfalman · Feb 25, 2013

Peace Dive Boat out of Ventura. They specialize in multi-days liveaboard AND they have Nitrox.

The Horizon in San Diego is also a multi-day liveaboard and has Nitrox too. This one is a big boat, which is nice to move around with. However my favorite multi-days boat is still the Peace: hot tub and the best food.

There are a couple of multi-days boats in the Long Beach/Los Angeles area but I don't really prefer them.

TSandM · Feb 25, 2013

Do you have to go out of Long Beach? Because I would also recommend the Peace. I've been out on that boat for day trips and for several three-day liveaboard trips, and I simply can't say enough good things about it. The crew is experienced, professional, and friendly. The boat layout is efficient and spacious. The bunks are bunks, but the polarfleece blankets are lovely, and the food on the Peace is good, although my beloved chef Joe is no longer with them.

Anybody who has been on SB a while knows that, if fnfalman and I agree about something, it's worth sitting up and taking notice.

bethn1210 · Feb 25, 2013

We don't have to go out of Long Beach, but would prefer that area because we're also visiting family on this trip (family lives in Hermosa Beach). But, like I said, quality of diving is most important to us so if we have to roadtrip a little north for a better experience, we'll do it!

fnfalman · Feb 25, 2013

In the LA/Long Beach area there are only a couple of boats that do multi-day trips:

1. Great Escape - it's not the norm for them to do multi-days but sometimes they do: large boat with lots of room and great food, but no Nitrox and like I said before, it's not the norm for them to do multi-days.

2. Sand Dollar - has Nitrox and sometimes does multi-days trips but not always.

Essentially for multi-days trips, it's best to check out the Peace in Ventura, the Truth Aquatics boats in Santa Barbara, and the Horizon in San Diego. The other boats sometimes does multi-days trips but not always.

SoCalRich · Feb 25, 2013

Food for thought: Try diving a different boat & location each day. Lots to choose from San Diego to Long Beach to Ventura. Wrecks, rigs, Kelp, Catalina, Channel Islands. Spend the nights in our beach cities.
Good Divin

Capt. George · Feb 25, 2013

Sand Dollar Liveaboard

fnfalman · Feb 26, 2013

SoCalRich:
Food for thought: Try diving a different boat & location each day.

Indeed. And most of the boats don't mind if you sleep on board the night before either so that would save some hotel money.

merxlin · Feb 26, 2013

I agree on the multi-location idea. You can start in San Diego and do the wrecks or the kelp beds. Drive up a couple hours and do some diving at Catalina (Sundiver runs most Weds and Fridays out of Long Beach), and then drive to Ventura and dive the Northern Islands on the Peace or the Raptor. Depending on the weekend, Truth Aquatics might have a 2-3 day trip out of Santa Barbara. Heck, I might need to do this!

Need help choosing a live-aboard in SoCal

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