Alternatives if Catalina is "closed"

[ECR]

Hello, all--

I'm leading a group of eight out of the wilderness (Midwest) to Catalina Oct 25-29. This will be my fourth trip there (all previous just me and wife). Last time, the Santa Anas were blowing and Catalina Express ... wasn't. We were trapped on the mainland without a Plan B.

I'm trying to be prepared this time ... looking into mainland charters, with possibility of nearby lodging. I can't actually book anything because we've got everything covered under Plan A. So anything we come up with -- charters, transportation, lodging -- will have to be last-minute space-available. Logistics will be tough as we will initially be wheel-less. We will have most of our own gear with us, but no tanks/weights. Do mainland charters typically cancel trips under the same conditions that would force the Catalina Express to cancel trips?

Grateful for suggestions.

 

[CaptainDan13]

You'll be close to Orange County so it'll be easy to head over to Laguan Beach. They have some decent site over in that area. I'm actually headed for my 1st night dive over there tonight. Here's a website with all the dive sites in Laguna Beach. Visiability isn't always the greatest there but there's always a chance to see a couple rays and the occasional pack of sea lions there too.

http://www.lagunaseasports.com/divesite/default.asp

 

[ECR]

Thanks, CaptainDan13. You didn't join SB just for me, didja? Anyway, welcome to the board.

I was mainly looking for info on mainland charters that could take us out if the Express wasn't running. But I'll take your map and contact info for Laguna Sea Sports in my Plan B packet, too.

ECR

 

[Diver_Jan]

Greetings ECR,

We have lots of local charters here that usually will brave the swells to get over to Catalina 'diving off-shore' that is. Check out http://www.Reefseekers.com for their schedule during that time. You can also check out this site for boat/ charter availability http://californiadiveboats.com/

As CaptainDan suggested, Laguna might be a good plan B. We are currently having the best viz ever with reports of over 30+ feet. The downside, is that we (Laguna) do not have the vast Kelp forests that Catalina has to offer, but we do have some pretty spectacular reefs. The good side too is that Laguna Sea Sports is located just above one of the coves, and many of the coves are within walking and/or diving distance of each other.

I hope this helps.

 

[HBDiveGirl]

Hello, all--

I'm leading a group of eight out of the wilderness (Midwest) to Catalina Oct 25-29. This will be my fourth trip there (all previous just me and wife). Last time, the Santa Anas were blowing and Catalina Express ... wasn't. We were trapped on the mainland without a Plan B.

...

Do mainland charters typically cancel trips under the same conditions that would force the Catalina Express to cancel trips?

Grateful for suggestions.

Hi ECR,
Good news is that Santa Ana wind conditions are rare.... your vacation will most likely be a joy of great conditions and lovely diving.

Not so good news is that most dive boats from the mainland also cancel trips when the conditions are too rough for the Express. The Santa Ana winds are terrible for diving on the "front side" of Catalina, where Avalon is located. I've seen 3-4 foot wind generated waves crashing onto the steps at the Casino Dive Park. So when the front side is blown out, there's not much diving to be had.

Good news is the Santa Ana winds are wonderful for diving on the mainland. Diver Jans recommendations for Laguna are wonderful!! Shore diving is not everyone's cup of java, but Laguna is as pleasant as it gets. And the Santa Anas make for calm water and clean conditions...usually.

San Diego dive boats run out to Wreck Alley. Very few other mainland dive boats go anywhere else but the Channel Islands.

I don't know what the Santa Anas do to the conditions at Wreck Alley. But I bet several S.D. area Scuba Board members know :14: .

It must have been quite frustrating to travel and be stranded, but the odds are in your favor. May you have a great trip.

IF you do end up stuck on the mainland... Get on Scubaboard IMMEDIATELY!! Put out a note, post your cell phone numbers, and our jolly band of local shore divers will swoop in and get you shore diving.

Dive Safely,
Claudette

 

[CompuDude]

Would the northern Channel Islands be a better (or at least different) option, or do they get closed down, also? I'm wondering if a boat out of Ventura going to Santa Cruz Island, Anacapa, etc. might be far enough north to escape the worst of the blast. (Never paid attention to the issue before so I don't really know the routine.)

 

[apneacomplex]

The channel at the northern channel islands is completely different from what they have down south. Up north theres almost always wind with swell. The boats up north will go out in just about anything. South they have a much calmer channel with fairly smooth crossings majority of the time.

 

[CompuDude]

The channel at the northern channel islands is completely different from what they have down south. Up north theres almost always wind with swell. The boats up north will go out in just about anything. South they have a much calmer channel with fairly smooth crossings majority of the time.

In that case, I don't know how well it works with the plans in question, but if you can get up to Ventura, see if you can snag a spot on the Peace, the Spectre, or any of the other Ventura-based boats to the Channel Islands (outer islands, if possible, like Santa Cruz Santa Rosa, San Miguel, etc., else Anacapa still offers great diving). It's a bit of a trek, but I think it's closer than Wreck Alley, and if you're looking for boat diving and Catalina isn't an option, it's probably your best fall-back option.

 

[apneacomplex]

Since he recommende the northen channel islands I recommend wreck alley. Go with the Lois Ann they are a top notch operation. Wreck alley is awesome. It does get hit pretty good with swell towards like february, but other than that it is normally some awesome diving.

 

[ECR]

Thanks to all. I knew it wouldn't be long before I had to duck and cover to avoid the deluge of suggestions.

I did some homework before starting this thread. I have a list of boats that have open charters those days (Great Escape, Sundiver, and Bottom Scratcher for Saturday only) and will keep their contact info in my back pocket. The Ventura shore diving sounds like it could be a decent Plan B. I do hope I don't need it because the logistics can get a little more complicated with a group of eight than if it was just me and my wife.

Thanks, everyone. You've made hangin' out here worthwhile ... again.

--ECR