Current conditions at Catalina's Casino Point Dive park

[Reeveseye]

I don't know if this idea for a continuing thread will catch on or not, but I figured I'd give it a try anyway. Since Casino Point is such a popular dive spot, I thought it would be nice if anyone on the board who dove there could post the park's conditions when they went, in order to give those who are on their way there a heads up on what their trip will be like. I'll start.

My wife and I dove Casino Point on Thursday June 10, 2004. Weather was sunny, warm, with scattered clouds. Visibility was much worse than usual, maybe 20'. Not cloudy water like a red tide condition, but a LOT of particulates suspended in the water column. No current to speak of. Water temperatures averaged 64-66 in the 0' - 50' range. We dove late morning/early afternoon, during low tide, moderate surge.

I'll be heading back there on Monday, June 14. If anyone dives there between now and then, I'd love to hear if visibility improves.

 

[Otter]

I think its a great idea. Given mainland conditions lately, Catalina is our only hope.

 

[zcloudman]

Heading out July 5th vis according to Scuba Luv today July 4th in the morning was still 40'-50' and the swell has not affected them.

 

[drbill]

Although I've been editing footage from the ABCs rather than diving, reports have been of excellent visibility ranging from 30 to 80 ft. I'll resume diving in a few days once I've got all my Caribbean footage processed.

 

[ajkelly]

I heard the vis was horrible yesterday! I'm heading out for 6 days starting Saturday. If anyone can give an update that would be great.

Also so let me know if you suggest any of the boats out of Avalon.

 

[drbill]

Yes, conditions plummeted from the excellent visibility of 7-10 days ago due to strong surge. I heard reports of vis as poor as 3 ft. Most local dive operators cancelled scheduled dives Sun/Mon. However, conditions are beginning to improve again.

 

[cdemith]

Can anyone give me an update on water temps at Casino Point? I would like to head out in 2 weeks. I dive dry, but buddys are wet. How much neoprene do you wear this tine of year?

 

[drbill]

Conditions over the past few days have been reported as excellent with good visibility returning after the heavy surge. I dove other sites yearday with Blue Car Wreck being excellent and Twin Rocks being reasonably good but nowhere near as nice as Blue Car.

 

[Buttons]

Any word on Conditions? News reported some damage at Avalon. How's the dive park? My husband and I are booked to stay on the Island 8/29 Friday thru Monday and we want to dive every day.

 

[drbill]

Conditions from Long Point to the East End (and quite probably the backside) are pretty awful right now. Resuspended sediment making the water green pretty far out from shore and reducing visibility to 5-10 ft at times. Dive park has been closed twice and our beaches were closed yesterday due to the high tide and strong surge. This is supposed to settle own by the weekend so we'll see. My last dive was Sunday night and it was pretty surgy then.