Diving near Ventura, CA ?

[Nikko81]

Hello, California Divers!
Please, help with a good local advice. I will be at Ventura in the end of January, and want to spend about a week diving. What are good diving spots there?
Does it make sense to travel to LA for diving?
Or to any other place nearby?
What is the temperature in the late January?
Any local specific issues I should know?

Thanks a lot for any advice and info!

 

[Rainer]

Get on the Peace or Spectre.

 

[fnfalman]

Are you looking for beach/shore diving or are you looking for boat diving?

If you want to do boat diving then the whole Northern Channel Islands group is your oyster: Anacapa Island, Santa Cruz Island, Santa Rosa Island and San Miguel Island.

There are several boats that leave for these islands from Ventura harbor: Spectre, Explorer, Peace and Raptor.

There are also dive boats that leave for these islands from Oxnard which is a little bit south of Ventura. I've tried a couple of these boats and I preferred the ones from Ventura harbor. Just a personal thing.

I'm afraid I don't know anything about Ventura beach/shore dive sites.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Scuba Shore Diving Site Listing for: California Mid, USA West

http://www.cadivingnews.com/divespots/75/Hueneme-Submarine-Canyon

 

[on_two_wheels]

I'd recommend Peace or Spectre as well. I'd also suggest at least one trip to catalina. You can take the Catalina Express ferry for the dive park (on a weekend) or take the Magician out of San Pedro near LA.

 

[Nikko81]

Thank you, this helps. I will probably stick to Peace and/or Spectre boats at Ventura.
A few questions about Catalina island - are there good dive spots besides Casino Point park, or it is the best?
How can I find a buddy there - just meet other divers right at Casino point entry?
Thanks!

 

[donhealy]

One thing to remember; in the winter time the Ventura boats generally only run on the weekends. Its best to check with them directly to make sure. You can also try the Truth boats out of Santa Barbara. They run 3 and 4 day live aboards all year round weather permitting.

Catalina Island will give the best shore diving and you can also dive during the week off Casino Point with no problem.

 

[fnfalman]

Thank you, this helps. I will probably stick to Peace and/or Spectre boats at Ventura.
A few questions about Catalina island - are there good dive spots besides Casino Point park, or it is the best?
How can I find a buddy there - just meet other divers right at Casino point entry?
Thanks!

There are a lot of dive sites at Catalina Island. However, the most easily accessible one is Casino Point. The other dive sites tend to be more reachable by dive boats.

Usually in the weekends, there are always a few people at Casino Point. Not too many during the winter, but still a few. I can't speak for everybody but generally divers are friendly and don't mind a tag-along...unless you have bad dive etiquette then they'd probably ask you not to join them for latter dives.

 

[on_two_wheels]

Casino point is always open but air fills is an issue. The fill station at the park is only open on weekends except during summer. If you call Catalina Divers Supply you might be able to pick up a couple tanks or have them drop them off and store the extra in a locker while diving. If you boat dive catalina, there's amazing dive spots. Ship Rock, Bird Rock and Sea Fan Grotto are my favorites. If you're just doing one or two days of diving, staying in Ventura won't be an issue if you can find a boat all days you want to dive. Anacapa has some great diving.

 

[sink-er-swim]

I did a charter with the Raptor in april. Nice boat, a few too many divers on it for my liking, but two great dives!