Catalina U/W park dive report.

[Scuba Jerm]

Just wanted to post a report of my anniversary trip to Catalina with my wife of 9 years.

The Diving: Diving the under water park was really great. I have dove in Hawaii and Fiji and didn't expect to be too pleased.... but to my surprise it was very unique and just plain awesome! The kelp and wild life was very healthy and plentiful! It was just one of those sites you see yourself revisiting over and over because it's so accessible and very beautiful. The dive Guide from Catalina Scuba Supply was great... his name was Jeff.. I highly recommend using him as a guide if you need one.

The Dive Rental Companies: There are 2 that I know of Scuba Luv and Catalina Scuba Supply. I had an appointment with a dive guide from Scuba Luv and he blew us off so if you use them, make sure they will be there. I was planning on renting from Scuba Luv but seeing that they didn't show, we went with Catalina Scuba Supply.... What a mistake! Catalina Scuba Supply seemed like they were extremely put off and inconvenienced by serving us! I must have spent over $250 with them over the 2 days and they just seemed like they didn't want anything to do with us! Their gear was terrible (had to exchange most of the stuff they gave us to use because it had holes in it) the service was much to be desired, wouldn't dream of using them again. The verdict?..... Bring all your own gear or rent it before you get to Catalina.

The Hotel: Seaport Village Inn.... Not exactly a 5 star but it was very quaint and comfortable. It's set up against the hills and overlooks the town... just beautiful. The staff will bend over backwards to help... very good service and very friendly. I will stay there again. Just talk to Tami or Raul. Both are just excellent.

With the exception of the dive rental people.... the trip was awesome.... I will go back again! and again.... next time with my own gear though.

 

[jetfixer]

Glad you enjoyed the park!

I've encountered the same attitude with the fill station at the casino. Glad you didn't let it ruin a wonderful time.

 

[drbill]

Scuba Jerm- Glad you had a great time in the park. Jeff from CDS is a good guide and a nice person.

I'm really surprised that the guide from Scuba Luv didn't show. Do you know who it was? That is quite unlike their operation. I dive with them all the time on their dive boat the King Neptune and feel they are a great shop.

Also a bit surprised at the attitude at CDS. Do you remember the name(s) of the person/people you dealt with there. I'm curious (PM me if you don't want to post here).

Don and his daughter at Seaport Village run a good diver friendly hotel. Their prices are more reasonable than many of the others and their staff is accommodating.

 

[Scuba Jerm]

Scuba Jerm- Glad you had a great time in the park. Jeff from CDS is a good guide and a nice person.

I'm really surprised that the guide from Scuba Luv didn't show. Do you know who it was? That is quite unlike their operation. I dive with them all the time on their dive boat the King Neptune and feel they are a great shop.

Also a bit surprised at the attitude at CDS. Do you remember the name(s) of the person/people you dealt with there. I'm curious (PM me if you don't want to post here).

Don and his daughter at Seaport Village run a good diver friendly hotel. Their prices are more reasonable than many of the others and their staff is accommodating.

Originally a PM to Dr. Bill, thought I'd share with the rest.....

Dr. Bill,

Don't know the name of the guide from Scuba Luv, (they wouldn't tell me prior to the appointment). Scuba Luv came highly recommended from Debbie with XS Scuba. She's our rep for their gear. She said Scuba Luv is great. I thought they handled themselves good, though not being able to fulfill the appointment. Oh Well, I'll try them perhaps the next time I go for tanks, and weights and I'd like to see how they conduct their boat dives too.

As for CDS, the attitude was surprising to me and my wife, we figured it was the off season and they would be glad to for the business. They weren't overtly rude or anything, they just seemed like they wanted to get us out of their hair. Not sure why, my wife and I are pretty easy going...not the type of tourist that gets in your face demanding service.... so again a surprise. The name of the person escapes me, he was an older gentleman, probably 6"1. Wish I could remember the name, but if you're around CDS perhaps you could let them know how to improve? Not sure if you talk with them much, but I think if they were a bit more patient, and had some newer rental gear, that might be a good place to start

Anyway, thanks for your interest.... love to go diving with you next time, I'll send you another PM when we are planning our next trip.... Take Care,

Jerm

 

[scubanimal]

I deal with both shops on a regular basis; I almost always have good things to say scuba luv, they have always done everything possible to accomadate us. Scuba Jerm, I would definity let Bob and Tina know, that type of thing I am sure they would want to correct. Please post any follow up you have with them.

With regards to CDS; unfortunately, the attitude issue I have to echo, I've come to expect it from them, but my dive buddies frequently comment "are we paying extra for the attitude". I use them less each trip over now, and its a shame, John is a nice guy but his crew could sure use some customer service training. I know they deal with a lot folks each weekend, especially in the summer. That trailer is a very cool operation, and I hope the personnel issue gets resolved soon.

 

[drbill]

As a long-term (36 year) resident of the island, I have to say that customer service is not one of the strengths of many employees here. There have been attempts to improve it in the past, both by the Chamber of Commerce and by individual businesses (more successful there).

Employees and residents here need to understand that we are a tourist destination, that our incomes largely depend on tourism, and that if we aren't warm and welcoming, many of our visitors will go elsewhere! Yes, you do get tired of the same old questions ("Do you accept American money?" "What time does the 4:00 PM boat leave?" "Is the island completely surrounded by water?), but you have to answer them with a smile.

There may be some significant changes in the dive business here on the island. I'll keep mum on that until we see if they occur.

 

[Scuba Jerm]

Glad I didn't ask any of those questions! That's pretty funny, I'd find it hard to keep from laughing with questions like that. I had a dive guide in Maui tell us of the wierdest question he got. It was this "How many tanks would you need to go under the island?" Crazy what people come up with,

Would love to see the service improve... most are great with our limited experiance.... but I would have to agree with scubanimal.... I did feel like I was paying more for the attitude. And we did Oh well, it will be scuba luv I'll trust next time.

 

[radinator]

Shows how much of a smartass I am, I'm thinking of joke answers to all of those questions (which I' sure the islanders have as well).

"Is the island completely surrounded by water?" "Not on the bottom."

 

[drbill]

Hey Radinator... you two coming out for the event (harbor cleanup) this weekend? I'm going to dive the Valiant afterwards if I can get a permit from the harbormaster.

 

[radinator]

Sorry DrBill, we won't be making it this time. I have UICC, and the lovely lady is helping someone with a class. Hope you have a great dive though! The Valiant is my favorite dive.