Just got OW and heading to Catalina this weekend - August 17th

Hey ScubaBoard,

I'm a new member to the community here and just got my OW certification this past Saturday. I was lucky enough to have an awesome instructor who made things quite simple and easy to understand. Each dive consisted of 2 minutes max of skills tests and then 20 minutes of swimming around. My 4th OW dive was at a place called "Monarch" just outside the Dana Point Harbor. 30 feet viz in about 35' of water. Saw many creatures, which was awesome, including a big sheepshead, lobster, Garibaldi, etc..

My girlfriend and I are going out to Catalina Island (Casino Point) this weekend on Saturday August 17th and plan on diving Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. I'm look for some advice as far as tank, bcd, regulator rentals. I was looking at Beach Cities Scuba Centers ? Your premier Orange County Scuba Diving experience (I got my certification through them) and I don't know if their prices are reasonable or not? I live in the Dana Point area, so this place would be ideal as far as distance goes, but is it better to bring the gear with us from the mainland or rent gear on the island?

We plan on staying there this Saturday night, so any suggestions on hotels/packages for diving would be appreciated. I did see the forum post about some hotels in the area, so I can always refer back to there if the information is still current.

Any help, ideas or suggestions are very much appreciated!

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/so...great-catalina-island-info-sticky-thread.html

Mc20071, here's a link to diving Catalina, I hope you have a buddy? Hermosa Hotel is also diver friendly, it used be cheap($35per nite) but they have upgraded... is your gal your dive buddy?? DON'T GO SOLO! The Dive Park is EZ entry and exit for the most part, and LOTS to see.

Be Safe Out There!

PS; there is only one "S" in Sheephead ...and NO "S" in White Point...(PV)

Thank you for posting the link to the Catalina thread! Much appreciated. I am not going alone. My girlfriend and I are both diving. She has been diving for about 10 years or so. I've heard great things about the dive park and I'm so excited for my first dive outside of certification!!!

Seaport Village Inn is the most diver friendly(if you can afford it?) Picks you up at the Cat Express, takes you down to Casino Point each day, a hot tub, and dive gear wash area, closest to the Point, GOOD value!

PS, don't fergit to tip ALL yer helpers(drivers, shuttles, air fills, Etc...) it's a tourist town so to speak...

You can just rent your tanks at Casino Point from Catalina Divers Supply. They have a truck there every weekend filling tanks. Rent the tank, and you can have them run a tab for you all day. When you need a fill, just swap out the empty, give them your name and pick up a new one.

They also rent hardshell weights, which might be worth your time. There are otherwise at least two scuba shops on the island, which you could in theory rent from but where you might end up paying a premium rental fee if you go that route.

---------- Post added August 12th, 2013 at 06:58 PM ----------

Also, two things:

1) Join DAN

Scuba Diver Accident Insurance ? Insurance for Scuba ? DAN | Divers Alert Network

2) Consider getting a map of the dive park. Not because it's easy to get lost, but because it will tell you what's there for you to see.

Say hi to Oscar for me

---------- Post added August 12th, 2013 at 07:00 PM ----------

Also, consider the luggage valet/storage place right at the boat landing. They'll deliver your stuff right to the dive park, and hold it for you until your boat leaves. Good service IMO, very convenient.

Congrats on your certification. The Casino Point Dive Park is a great place to dive.

Earlier this past summer, we stayed at the Hermosa Hotel. It was much more diver friendly that previous hotels we have used on the island. The Hermosa actually lets you shower there after diving on your departure day from the island. About the only thing that the hotel lacked was internet service; we couldn't get a signal in our room. The Hermosa also provided service (no charge, we just tipped the driver) to pick us up at the ferry terminal when we arrived and dropped us off at the terminal when we left.

While I pack all of my own gear except tanks and weights, other members of my family rented gear from Scuba Luv. They had no complaints about their gear and Scuba Luv let us use one of their hand carts to move gear to and from the dive park.

We rented tanks at the dive park. It was pretty easy. The guys at the trailer kept our 'C' cards, supplied us with tanks when we needed air, and returned our 'C' cards when we settled-up at the end of our dive day.

Have fun & be safe!

-AZTinman

Everything above is great info and I can not say enough good things about Seaport Village Inn. VERY diver friendly!

I will be out there Saturday teaching a Navigation class. Feel free to say hi. I would be happy to point you in the right direction or answer any questions.

Robert

I think the previous posters have covered most of your questions. Welcome to the wonderful world of diving and ScubaBoard. Not sure I'll be diving at the Point this weekend (I may be out on a dive boat), but if you see a golf cart with "Dive Dry with Dr., Bill" on the windshield, feel free to stop by and ask any questions you have.

Thank you all for your suggestions and help! I can't wait to get out there on Saturday!!!

mc20071:

....I'm a new member to the community here and just got my OW certification this past Saturday.

Click to expand...

Welcome to the SoCal diving community and to SB

mc20071:

....My girlfriend and I are going out to Catalina Island (Casino Point) this weekend ...... Any help, ideas or suggestions are very much appreciated!

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The Avalon Underwater Park (aka Casino Point) is the first dive site we put in our eDiving Scuba Diving simulator
You could use the simulator to virtually dive the park and get familiar with the site before your trip.
If you do it, make sure to check out the Giant Sea Bass hanging around the swim platform

Alberto (aka eDiver)