Advice for Diving in Catalina

[Pinkiriz]

My best friend and I are going to take the ferry to Avalon tomorrow to dive off Casino Point- any advice on which sites are the best?

 

[Blackwood]

The wreck of the Valient is an awesome dive. Technically, you need permission from the harbor master.

California Diving News Scuba Dive Spot - Valiant Wreck, Catalina Island

 

[DandyDon]

King Neptune's skipper from Scuba Luv did great by me.

 

[drbill]

Permits to dive the Valiant are highly unlikely on a summer weekend. You may be "limited" to the dive park since that is the only place in town you can legally get access to and dive. There will be a lot of us here this weekend.

 

[quitomate]

What kind of gloves do you need to dive in Catalina Islan? Do you even need gloves? what a bout booties?

Thank you!

 

[scubadobadoo]

What kind of gloves do you need to dive in Catalina Islan? Do you even need gloves? what a bout booties?

Thank you!

Need? You don't need booties or gloves, lol, but you will probably want them.

If you are asking about thickness of neoprene required then I would suggest using 5-7mil everything in those Cally waters. I personally dive a dry suit with 6 mil gloves/hood when there.

Now for the park dive itself, yes, I would use booties/gloves going down the steps to the water but I guess you could probably get away without but...

Are you going there soon or just wondering? Either way, go to the California forum here and you will get better answers with a proper search. I actually wrote a lengthy "first timers perspective" trip report on diving Catalina and the marine park there.

Welcome to the board!

 

[rakkis]

What kind of gloves do you need to dive in Catalina Islan? Do you even need gloves? what a bout booties?

Thank you!

Make sure you get enough money exchanged before you leave the Long Beach border crossing

In all seriousness... Catalina is in California. It takes longer to drive to downtown LA in traffic than to get there. So yes... the water's still the same. You'd do well to prepare as you usually do for SoCal shore dives. (because that's exactly what Casino Point is)


[edit]
Oh! You are from Utah!

Please excuse the flippant commentary Look for the Catalina Info thread in the SoCal forum. Should be stickied right to the top.

 

[drbill]

Rakkis, my friend... you are perpetuating the myth that we don't take US dollars! Some visitors to the island actually ask whether we do. I, for one do not... I only take money in denominations of $100 or more, not just one dollar!