Only one drive trip...Channel Islands or Catalina?

[txteachers]

We have 200+ dives...most in the Caribbean or Hawaii...but have an opportunity to dive in California in late July or 1st week of August. If you could do a boat trip to the Channel Islands or a few days on Catalina or somewhere else in the area...where would you prefer and why? (Our land trip will be in the LA/Costa Mesa area)

Thanks '

 

[Thiad]

Anacapa hands down. I love the colors (the purples!) and the variety of life. I'm not a big fan of kelp and while Catalina is beautiful, it's a lot of kelp. Anacapa's also been the place where the sea lions seem more interested in visiting the divers.

Anacapa has my heart.

 

[mdb]

You have a good number of choices very available in SoCal. There are good boat trips out of Long Beach, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and, of course, Catalina. The SoCal regulars will, most likely, log on with their favs.

Here is just one link for a good boat. San Diego is a very easy drive: San Diego Scuba Diving,San Diego Dive Boats,Lois Ann Dive Charters Home Page,San Diego California,san diego scuba diving boats,san diego boat dives,san diego scuba diving,san diego scuba diving charters,scuba diving san diego california

 

[dwaters]

You can't go wrong with either choice...both have it's good points. Out of your CostaMesa location the charters to Catalina would be closer but many boats will allow you to crash out the night before. Here is a link to most of our charters to check out here: California Dive Boats : The Official Page My plugs for Catalina bound boats are: Creat Escape, Magician, & the Sundiver family....out of Ventura, I love both Peace and Spectre.
Then there is the option to go to Avalon for the day and dive at the park...a great place to get introduced to cool water kelp diving...check out our "sticky" here: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/socal/231885-updated-great-catalina-island-info-sticky-thread.html .
Either way you go, let us know as I'm sure one of the many here will be on the same charter or at the park that day. Enjoy!!!!

 

[Randynfla]

Having dived all of the islands over a period of years, the only reason I would say catalina above the rest is because of avalon. Its one of those places you just find relaxing and peaceful.

 

[fnfalman]

First of all, Catalina Island is one of the Channel Islands. Though I know what you meant, the Northern Channel Islands directly west of Ventura.

Anacapa is the usual destination because it's the closest and you can easily get 4-dives out of a day going there. However, most of the dive sites' depths are very shallow at 30-ft or less.

Santa Cruz may be a destination if Anacapa were to be hit with waves and winds. Santa Rosa is an unlikely destination unless it's a multi-trip outing due to the distance. San Miguel is the same way.

So, given dive sites around Anacapa versus Catalina, I prefer Catalina.

 

[fnfalman]

Oh, and let's not forget the other Channel Islands: San Clemente down towards San Diego, San Nicolas and Santa Barbara.

San Nicolas and Santa Barbara Islands are tiny and way the heck out there, so not too many charters go to them on a regular basis. San Clemente is a long haul for LA/Long Beach charters, but San Diego charters do make some regular runs out to San Clemente. I dig San Clemente. However, the US Navy had been known to close down San Clemente at a moment's notice, so it's a chancy deal to get out there as well.

 

[geoff w]

Late July / early August is still peak tourist season at Avalon, so the town itself will be crowded. There are other great spots to dive at Catalina as well, so you have the option of diving the park at Casino Point part of the time and a boat trip to other parts of Catalina on another day. If you have multiple days, you could do both Catalina and a northern Channel Island trip on separate days. The kelp forests are very different from anything you see in Hawaii, South Pacific or the Caribbean

There's also wreck alley in San Diego which would be easy to do one day from Costa Mesa

 

[HBDiveGirl]

If you'd like to maximize your dive time in the extraordinary habitat of the giant kelp forest, I would strongly recommend a multiday liveaboard in "The Channel Islands".

One-Day boats generally have to choose a specific island due to travel time.
90% of one-day boats go to either Catalina or Anacapa / Santa Cruz Islands.

Multiday boats will name an island but then have time to move you around based on conditions.

My top two choices, based on hundreds of boat dives in the past 8 years in SoCal, are:
The Peace, leaving from Ventura Harbor.
The Horizon, leaving from San Diego.

I know the Horizon has a 2-day trip departing August 5th at midnight, and diving the 6th and 7th at San Clemente Island.


Catalina has some gorgeous spots (Ship Rock and Bird Rock, Long Point, etc.)
But it also has some less than great spots.
If it's a one day, open boat, it's a roll of the dice.

San Clemente is usually extraordinary, in my experiences.

If I could only do a one day boat, I'd search for a boat chartered by a photography group as they're more likely to focus on gorgeous sites rather than needing safer spots for OW classes. (Or hunting spots if there are spearfishermen on board.)

As several have mentioned, I also prefer Anacapa / Santa Cruz for one day boats as you spend more time diving and less time motoring... but your freeway time is something to factor in.

Going to Avalon with a hotel stay in July / August can be $$$$.
Depends on your budget, of course.
Using the dive boats from Avalon adds to an already $$$$ trip. They'll dive many of the same places that boats from the mainland visit, but you'll be there a couple of hours earlier. The dive park is lovely. If this was my only trip to SoCal, I'd want to see more than just the dive park, especially as the weekend crowds in summer can detract from the dive experience. It's a charming town, but you'll be more and better diving from a boat.

Not all local boats are equal in service and spirit.
Please feel welcome to PM for a more confidential view on the best match your diving goals to the boat most likely to succeed.
(I'm not affiliated with any boat, just a frequent customer of several.)

Have fun!!

Gear up for cold water (50 is possible below 100fsw all year long) so you can enjoy all depths and conditions!

~~~~
Claudette

 

[merxlin]

Not all local boats are equal in service and spirit.
Please feel welcome to PM for a more confidential view on the best match your diving goals to the boat most likely to succeed.
(I'm not affiliated with any boat, just a frequent customer of several.)

Have fun!!

Gear up for cold water (50 is possible below 100fsw all year long) so you can enjoy all depths and conditions!

~~~~
Claudette

In addition to the great advice so far- I would take Claudette up on her offer. My bet is the advice will be spot on.