Casino Point Dive Park

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In my 50 years of diving Catalina, I've only seen leopard sharks twice in the dive park. There are other sites where they are much more common though.

And as for the "black sea bass" and "Giant black sea bass," they are spectacular... but should be called "fairly large polka-dotted wreckfish" since they don't belong to the sea
Quiz: How do you weigh a luggage scale? (without using another scale)

Whoa snap this is good, I don’t know?? How plz?!
 
Always bring a dive light. There are almost always places to poke it into to see things hiding and just light up something better at say 60ft or deeper. In addition visibility could be less than 10 feet. On such days if you have lights you and your partner can keep track of each other easier. also if you are ever separated from others and drifted away it helps searchers when night falls the dive light will be a beacon to make it much easier to find you. Always have a dive light and always have an smb with you. boats cannot see you in the water without an smb sticking up out of it. and for kelp areas always carry a cutting tool.

As a new diver I never carried a light, smb, or cutting tool. after a couple dives I realized these are mandatory for my safety.

Safety first! Got those, but what’s an smb?
 
this thread may help.....

Catalina Island trip report

Kelp likes to say, "wait a second." Sea lions know when you really really want to see them...and must love your frustration when they don't show.
The 1500 pound large polkadotty wreck fish is so laid back, we can all learn from her attitude. (The Seabass gets bigger every time I tell the story...just like a good fish story should)

Have fun,
Jay

Hey Jay, thanks for link to that post, kinda detail I like to read about!!... hope to see the giant sea bass.
 
Safety first! Got those, but what’s an smb?
surface marker buoy
SMB-Specialty-e1526049977159.jpg
 
If you're taking the Catalina Express over to the island, check the company's website for baggage restrictions.
There's a spottily enforced 50 pound weight limit on bags.
Some divers get around the restrictions by wearing their weight belts, and even their BCDs or BP/Ws, when they board to lighten their bags. Any gear you don't have, or don't want to carry can be rented on the island, although at rather high prices.

Also, get in the boarding line early for your return voyage. The boat fills up fast and seating choices become limited.
Think about upgrading to "Commodore Lounge" for the return trip and getting a guaranteed seat and priority boarding, among other minor perks.

Currents are seldom a problem in the dive park. Avalon is on the lee side of the island, and sheltered from most of the ocean's stronger influences. The one exception is when the off-shore winds from the east kick up, but that's probably not going to happen this time of year.

Yes, take a light!
Peeking between the rocks you'll see lobsters, cleaner shrimp, eels, and all sorts of invertebrates.
As for sighting bigger fish, one just never knows what will swim by. Rays are frequently seen, swimming or digging into the sand with their snouts looking for something to eat. But the real star attractions are the Giant Black Sea Bass. Often seen wandering through the kelp forrest, these guys are very big and slow moving, and incredibly tolerant of divers.

Finally, bring a heavy dose of patience.
In the summer the dive park can get crowded and chaotic, especially since they started renting snorkel gear to non-diving tourists.

With the summer crowds and the hot weather everything takes twice as long as you think it will.

Have a great trip.

K

Appreciate this detailed post! Thanks so much :)
 

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