So this year I am thinking about skipping my birthday international trip, I figured I would instead break in my spend some time with my drysuit and visit California, that is like a foreign country to a Floridian like me right?
So I've been looking, it seems I should bring my own tanks and weights. How many tanks? And based on what I can see I basically have two options, which I might do both:
1. Take a dive boat out of Ventura, like the Spectre, which typically seems to hit the northern Channel Islands.
2. Take the ferry over to Avalon, and either shore dive or hop on a dive boat to dive Catalina Island.
Am I understanding this correctly? Are there any other must hit spots in the area? Thinking about a week maybe a little longer depending on what I can find.
For idea #1, one tank is sufficient. You'd have to check to confirm but most of those bigger boats will fill with banked 32 Nitrox (for a fee) or can just top you off on air with a hot fill. Most of the dive sites are OW friendly, so the slightly short fills aren't a huge deal. I usually bring my HP117, then it ends up being more like a 100 after the boat fills. Exactly how and where you store your gear will depend on the boat, but as a general rule most don't like (and some don't allow) hard sided gear cases. The boats usually have weights but if you have your own it's better.
Show up the night before if you are able to and setup your gear in a good spot on the boat, else you might get a crummy spot if you end up near show time the morning of. Many of the boats used to let you sleep in the bunks below the night before a charter but post conception I think fewer are doing that. You'd want to talk to the boat to see what the situation is.
You'll usually get a hot breakfast on the way to the first dive dive, snacks between dives 1 & 2, lunch between 2 & 3, and then a dessert after 3 on the way back home. A few of the boats sell beer, don't recall which, but most will tolerate you bring a very small cooler if you want your own.
I think all the hot tubs on the boats are closed for COVID right now but could be mistaken.
While I have enjoyed every channel island dive, I can't name a must dive spot. If you time it right there is a big seal colony that you can hang out at like 30 feet and get swarmmed by them lol.
For Avalon I'd recommend renting tanks/weights through
https://www.catalinadiverssupply.com/ , why lug that junk when its like $10 to rent? Once you arrive at the ferry terminal at Avalon you can either A) Walk with all you gear to Casino Point B) take a cab to ferry point C) hire a porter to take the gear while you walk (I usually like this option). Once you are at the Casino Park area there are port a johns should you need them and then Catalina Diver's Supply (who do sell limited non diving things like water and sometimes snacks). The entrance is a stairs (one way goes down, the other up but only if people are following the rules), provided you aren't at low tide its an easy entrance. There are plenty of maps of the area and lots to see. Exit is obviously the same but the low tide remark is even more true here (can be a several foot drop below the last step that you have to contend with). You can call the porters that took you gear out to come and pick it up and store it for you while you enjoy Avalon for some post diving food and drinks as necessary. I would highly recommend a big rolling toolbox for Catalina expeditions (
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Creative-P...-Plastic-Wheeled-Lockable-Tool-Box/1001460888 , just make sure your fins fit! ). Parking is available right by the ferry terminal (in long beach at least, it's not quite and arm and a leg but it might be a wrist and a toe). Avalon always seems a bit warmer than shore diving on the stuff off the mainland so it's a nice treat.
I haven't personally done any of the dive boats leaving from Avalon but pretty routinely have used the San Pedro and Long beach boats. Most are similar to the Ventura boats (big over night boats with bunks, kitchens, etc), Sundiver operates a few and their express is very nice but a bit more limited on creature comforts (marine head and microwave for example) compared to their big Sundiver boat. The LA dive boats hit some awesome stuff but don't dock at Avalon or the dive park. I still usually only bring a single tank and my own weights. If you are doing a boat dive, if you can find Blue Cavern or Farnsworth Trips they are a bit more but great (be warned Farnsworth trips frequently don't arrive at Farnsworth as they open ocean and unprotected so conditions have to be just right).
Happy to answer any other questions, I need to get back to Avalon been away too long!
