looking for photographers to go diving with in April

[General Po]

I'm visiting California from New Zealand in April and I'm keen to do a one day boat trip on any day between Thursday the 18th of April to Sunday the 21st.

I've been surfing a bit and have already found this very helpful boat listing California Dive Boats : The Official Page and there is lots of discussion pointing me towards the better boats, but what I'd really like is to join up with a group or at least a buddy who are also photographers. Non-photographers can get frustrated when those of us with cameras move to too slowly or get distracted so I've found it best that we dive and be rubbish buddies together.

I'm used to cold water, will be bringing my drysuit, and have done around 200 dives. I'll be staying in Koreatown and will have a car and driver (husband, non-diver). We don't mind getting up very early to drive to the dock but as I am traveling with other family members It's not really feasible for me to join a trip with a midnight boarding.
Jane

 

[diverrex]

The local boat schedules for 2013 will come out at the end of December or sometime soon into the new year. Then all the local divers will have a better handle on their boat diving for next April. I'm sure there will be several of the better boats with options for at least April 20 or 21. My two favorites are the Peace and Great Escape. The question when you want to do just a single day trip is whether those boats are doing that on that weekend or do they have a multi-day trip planned, or as you mention an outer island trip planned with a departure time between midnight and 2 AM. So you should check back in Feb. or March, plus I would put the post in the SoCal forum as it gets read more frequently than the Trips subforum.

 

[blue steal]

diverrex has mentioned some good points.
A few other options if you are going out of the Long Beach area would be the Magician out of San Pedro which does a 3-tank dive every Friday as an open boat, and is easy to get to from downtown LA.
The Sundiver Express or Sundiver runs every FR/SA/SUN as well.
Also consider using the Catalina express ferry out of Long Beach (easy access from LA), and diving the Casino point park. You could bring the family for this trip.
Check back later, there are many here that can offer advice.
I am not a photographer but enjoy diving with them as I like going slow, even stopping for 30 minutes in one spot and exploring small details with my magnifier.

 

[General Po]

Thanks diverrex and blue steal. I'll re-post in the new year in the SoCal forum and in the meantime I'll check out the boats you've mentioned.
Cheers!

 

[diverrex]

Thanks diverrex and blue steal. I'll re-post in the new year in the SoCal forum and in the meantime I'll check out the boats you've mentioned.
Cheers!

We all also use the California Dive Boat page for boat schedule and contact info. Just be aware that not all boats are equal. We each have our favorites but I think a consensus does form on the top boats. Keeping reading through the SoCal forum and you should get the gist of it. The two Bluesteel mentions are good. Also the Pacific Star and San Dollar. The ferry to Casino Point may be a good option for the family as mentioned.

Are you bringing all your gear or will you need to rent some? That changes choices some.

 

[General Po]

I'm bringing most of my own gear but I'm planning to leave the lead and tanks at home so will have to hire those.

 

[blue steal]

Some boats supply tanks like Sand dollar LP80's and sundiver AL80 that I am aware of, others like Great Escape and Magician do not.
Not sure but you could always ask the specific boat if they could supply.
there are dive shops in the area that would rent those. Check out the pacific wilderness website for prices.
Edit: I just checked out PW, they rent weight belts for $5 for 16/20/24/30 lbs.
Tanks are $8 for AL80 or steel72 and $10 for LP95. 50% off for 2nd day rental.
If you decide to go to catalina using the ferry, I would just rent tanks/lead there.

 

[merxlin]

Sundiver also gives you tanks and can arrange weights as well. If you want a steel tank (LP 85's - maybe some 100's) for the Sundiver Express, make sure you let them know.