UK Diver looking for some advice :)

[shotgunuk]

Hi Peeps,

I'm a uk diver and will be staying just outside Hollywood for a few weeks from the middle of October.

I've never dived in your part of the world before and am looking for some advice re who to dive with, where to dive, temperatures etc.

My research seems to indicate that your conditions are similar to the UK although a bit warmer - our inland dives tend to get down to 6-7 Centigrade degrees at depth (30mish) whereas sea temperatures tend to stay between 6 and 12 degrees C (42 and 53 degrees F) depending on currents etc. (I've dived in 4 degrees C once)

I have made provisional arrangements to dive with Malibu Divers at Catalina Island ( Malibu Divers ) and would welcome any advice any of you guys can give on anything from conditions, where else to dive, who to dive with with, where NOT to dive etc etc etc.

I'm purely looking for recreational dives, deco is something I don't have training in or experience of. I may be happy to do some very simple and limited wreck penetration if the conditions are perfect (yes I am qualified but not experienced).

I dive on Singles with a pony at depths of up to 30-35m but wont have my pony with me so will probably want to stay shallower (say 30m/98ft absolute max but ideally around the 25m/82ft mark. )

It's a holiday with my wife (ex diver so quite understanding) so wont be able to dive every day but I'm hoping to get 5 or 6 days in at least ......

Thanks - in advance.

Spencer

 

[fnfalman]

If you dive in the UK, then nothing is new as far as water conditions go, but just be mindful of the giant kelps. Don't get entangled in them, and if you do, don't panic and kill yourself.

Establish neutral buoyancy and just glide around the giant kelps. Or if you have to go through them, just use your arms to part them like Moses parting the Red Sea and then glide through. If you're caught, try to back up and free yourself by pulling the kelps off you and glide away. If that doesn't work, just snap the kelps with your hands. Don't need scissors, shears, knives or any sort of cutting device. Don't roll about and get yourself all wrapped up when you're caught either. Just relax, back up and free yourself.

Don't try to swim on top of kelps when you're at the surface...if possible. Go under and then surface near the boat. If you don't have enough air to go under the kelps then don't swim on your back. That regular will catch all the kelps. Swim on your belly and use your arms to push the kelp canopy down & away from you.

Also if schedule permits, try to go diving at the other Channel Islands as well: San Clemente, Santa Barbara, Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and San Nicholas. Though I must say that realistically speaking, Anacapa and Santa Cruz are about the other two islands easily accessible. The rest are too far out and the trip will be at the mercy of Mother Nature and the US Navy (San Clemente and San Nicholas).

 

[shotgunuk]

Thanks for that info fnfalman, it is much appreciated. I've been in kelp forests twice off the Farne Islands but from what I'm reading the stuff you are talking about will make that look like freshly mowed grass!

Any idea of who are reputable groups/schools to dive with near Hollywood? I'm a recently qualified DM and have over 100 dives but still want to dive with someone who knows the areas well and maybe do a DLD or two.

 

[fnfalman]

Thanks for that info fnfalman, it is much appreciated. I've been in kelp forests twice off the Farne Islands but from what I'm reading the stuff you are talking about will make that look like freshly mowed grass!

Any idea of who are reputable groups/schools to dive with near Hollywood? I'm a recently qualified DM and have over 100 dives but still want to dive with someone who knows the areas well and maybe do a DLD or two.

Giant kelps are not that bad. Most people that have issues with giant kelps are those who don't have good basic diving skills down.

Hollywood Divers - a most reputable shop in SoCal, would be your cup of tea.

Hollywood Divers Southern CA's best scuba center and dive training facility 323-969-9875 1-877-OK SCUBA

Also post here again when your time comes close. Post specific dates to plan for and some of us may be able to join you.

 

[geoff w]

Hi Peeps,

I'm a uk diver and will be staying just outside Hollywood for a few weeks from the middle of October.

I've never dived in your part of the world before and am looking for some advice re who to dive with, where to dive, temperatures etc.

My research seems to indicate that your conditions are similar to the UK although a bit warmer - our inland dives tend to get down to 6-7 Centigrade degrees at depth (30mish) whereas sea temperatures tend to stay between 6 and 12 degrees C (42 and 53 degrees F) depending on currents etc. (I've dived in 4 degrees C once)

I have made provisional arrangements to dive with Malibu Divers at Catalina Island ( Malibu Divers ) and would welcome any advice any of you guys can give on anything from conditions, where else to dive, who to dive with with, where NOT to dive etc etc etc.

I'm purely looking for recreational dives, deco is something I don't have training in or experience of. I may be happy to do some very simple and limited wreck penetration if the conditions are perfect (yes I am qualified but not experienced).

I dive on Singles with a pony at depths of up to 30-35m but wont have my pony with me so will probably want to stay shallower (say 30m/98ft absolute max but ideally around the 25m/82ft mark. )

It's a holiday with my wife (ex diver so quite understanding) so wont be able to dive every day but I'm hoping to get 5 or 6 days in at least ......

Thanks - in advance.

Spencer

Mid-October water temperature should still be warmer than what you are used to across the pond, unless you do the Yukon wreck off San Diego. You didn't mention what your parameters are for transportation and distance you're willing to travel, or how much diving your wife will put up with. Casino Point at Catalina is probably as good a representation for So Cal diving, and there is plenty for your wife to do while you are diving, plus you can take her out for a nice meal after. As long as you stay on UK time, getting up for the early morning ferry will be a breeze. You can dive either wet or dry and experience a lot at Catalina

The other channel islands are all unique, but each is pretty much a long, full day commitment. Malibu Divers is one of the few dive shops that will do discover local dives for shore dives in Malibu. Easy to do a morning dive for an hour, max depth 12-15m or so, and be back in time for lunch with your wife and the rest of the afternoon to vacation. If you have not shore dived with any surf or waves, you should go out with someone who can show you how. Spring straps for your fins are highly recommended

The oil rigs by Long Beach are interesting structures

San Diego has the Yukon and other wrecks, recreational depth (30-35m) but can be a more advanced dive depending on the conditions.

Bottles are called tanks here, SPGs read in PSI and most everyone you dive with will have trouble with bar. Make sure you specify DIN fittings if that's how your regulator is set up. Typical exposure protection is a 7 mm full suit, hood, gloves and booties with open foot fins.

I went diving with someone a little over a month who moved out here from the UK. He said conditions are similar to Portugal, but with more sea life

 

[shotgunuk]

Thanks Geoff. I'll be able to leave the wife to do other stuff for a few days but we do plan to stay on Catalina Island for a weekend too - she can enjoy the scenery topside and I'll enjoy it under the surface.

I've dived off rocky shores before but not surf or sand so I'm looking forward to that..and thanks for the headsup re straps.

The Yukon sounds a bit more than I'd be comfortable with on just a single cylinder but I might do some more research and see how I go

I dive dry over here but have a 5mm wetsuit as well - I'll most likely take both since the added weight of the wetsuit wont add too much to the baggage allowance and may be ideal for a shallower splash on warm days and if I do some snorkelling.

Thanks again, all info gratefully received

 

[geoff w]

Unless you're shaped or sized very unusual, you might want to leave the 5mm at home and just rent a 7mm wetsuit here for beach dives. Some people dive dry off the beach, but sand can wreak havoc with dry suit zippers, and you'll be bulkier and typically need more weight for a shore dive done dry (not to mention less fun for surface swims). Unless you have dry gloves, your gloves and hood will work wet or dry. For Catalina or any boat diving, definitely go dry if you are comfortable in your drysuit. Especially for the Yukon, which always feels cold!

The Yukon is a recreational dive, bottom at about 35m. EAN32 works for extending bottom time, but it will still be a relatively short dive. Most of the divers on a typical trip will just be diving a single 80 or 100 cu ft (10 or 12 l) tank (bottle).

When you get a tank over here, you probably want to always request a steel tank instead of aluminum so you need less lead. A small bright light (that's torch to you), either rechargeable or with C cells, will definitely make your dives more enjoyable, so bring one if you have it

You didn't say if you're bringing your own gear or renting here. If renting and you want backplate/wing setup, your options will be more limited. Also, the Catalina Express is enforcing weight limits, so plan accordingly with everything you plan to take over with you

You will be here after lobster season starts. A local night time lobster dive may be a unique experience and potentially quite entertaining!

 

[diversteve]

Check here for options - most will have scheduled trips on their websites by now. California Dive Boats : The Official Page Understand that without prior arrangements - usually hiring your own - the DM on California dive boats stays on the boat. Local divers often bring their own tanks also so you'll need to rent from the boat if you don't.

San Diego from Hollywood is about a 4 hr. drive. So if you plan on that maybe stay a few days down there also. LaJolla Cove or Point Loma are some of the better Kelp Beds. There's also several other wrecks in wreck alley. Here's a lot of info on San Diego options. Divebums - A San Diego Dive Website Scenery wise, I find the city of San Diego much more enjoyable than much of the L.A. Basin. The Hollywood Hills are similar to it in areas. There's a big museum cluster around Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo is world famous and Coronado Island is good for dinner - you can drive there also.

L.A. traffic is something you have to consider locally in your plans also - not just map distances. As far as the LA Metro boats, it's about an 1-1/2hr. drive from Hollywood to Santa Barbara, most of an hour to Ventura or Oxnard - precluding no traffic thru the "valley" - not very likely.

Your best bet is to drop down to one of the boats in Long Beach or San Pedro. Typically that's 45mins. in traffic but straight down the 110 freeway. Really early morning that could be 1/2 hr. except for all the trucks also going to the port that you'll run into when you get close. You will be in traffic thru downtown but past it it may get a little lighter - there's almost no way to tell. I've done that drive in 45mins. to an hour but once in 2.5 hrs. Not even any visible accidents just gridlock.

It's a little counter-intuitive but the best boat diving at Catalina is often done from L.A. on day trips. Since it is lobster season boats will be fuller than normal so reservations are suggested if you know your plans in advance.

 

[lamarpaulski]

Catalina at the Park with the wife..civilized..try to get to Anacapa..short boat trip..great diving...likely encounter with sea lions. Best time of year to dive here btw.

 

[shotgunuk]

Thank you Steve.
Lamarpaulski, one of my best ever UK dives was last October off the Farne Islands playing with seals for an hour so the sea lions sounds like a similarly great must-do