Catalina Island

[beesonj]

Hi,

I am a northwest puget sound cold water diver. I am taking a road trip in October and stopping in Los Angeles for a few days. I'm interested diving at Catalina island but know little diving there. What type of exposure suit do you need? What are some good charter services?

any tips from someone that has dove there would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jon

[IslandCowgirl]

Hi Jon,

I wear a 7mm w/ a vest and hood. I have only been on one charter over there (over 15 times) Catalina Divers Supply located at the green pier. The Scuba Cat (the CDS charter) is a basic, well run dive boat. I run trips from the OC every other month w/them. You will have the option of a two tank dive ($90) or a three tank dive ($110) depending on the day. The pricing includes tanks, weights, lunch, drinks and snacks.
Good luck.

H- the IslandCowgirl

[jasondcrawford]

I've head something about a divepark near some of the big hotels in Avalon(is that it?)? Does this require a charter boat, or is it a place you can just walk to from the beach? I too am looking to go in the next little while, and not having to get on a boat would save me a bundle!

[IslandCowgirl]

The divepark is free, and you can get to it by foot. It has a stair entry (no beach, no sand, no problem). You can rent tanks, weights or anything else that you might need right there. The dive park is located at Casino Point. You can even get airfills right there. Definately the more cost effective way to dive Catalina, however, nothing beats boat diving.

Good Luck!
H- the IslandCowgirl

[slingshot]

Check out the sticky on catalina in the southern california section. I think October/November is a great time to dive Catalina, because the summer crowds have abated. If I recall, my last time there in November, I was getting surface water temps in the mid 60's. I did my rescue course at Catalina one week ago, and surface temps were warm, 72 degrees! Reports from some sites at depth came in as low as about 59 degrees. I think most divers are using 7mm suits now, but that's up to you. I used a 7/5 semidry and was almost too warm.

[scvdiver]

Here's a link to the forementioned sticky...
http://scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=85342

On Saturday October 14th in Orange County at Heisler Park, there is a scheduled Wrinkles dive. It's a gathering of local divers for a beach dive and you're more than welcome... check out the Socal
http://scubaboard.com/forumdisplay.php?f=231

And if you stray all the way to San Deigo there are still some spots on our Mo2vation trip, see linkhttp://scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=123455

Mark

[drbill]

Second the suggestion to look at the sticky.

IslandCowGirl has forgotten the best dive boat in Avalon Bay, the King Neptune run by Scuba Luv, the only shop that offers things for rec to tech (including Nitrox). Shame on you "H" (just teasing 'ya).

I've lived here 37 years. Feel free to PM me.

[beesonj]

Thanks for all your help. As far as boat charters it appears there are plenty of choices based on how flexible I am in regards to the channels. And it appears that San Pedro is place to be in that regard.

2 days is not going to be enough I should just move to California!!

Thanks again - JB

[beesonj]

Second the suggestion to look at the sticky.

IslandCowGirl has forgotten the best dive boat in Avalon Bay, the King Neptune run by Scuba Luv, the only shop that offers things for rec to tech (including Nitrox). Shame on you "H" (just teasing 'ya).

I've lived here 37 years. Feel free to PM me.

Thanks Drbill, i'm still new to this board and not sure how to PM, is it done through this sight or on a messenger?

[drbill]

Just click on the DrBill above my avatar and you'll see an option to send a Private Message.