Diving Coves near Avalon

[MikeMag]

Hello--I'll be going over to Catalina on Saturday on a private boat, looks like we might be able to squeeze in a quick dive before mooring in Avalon. We want to anchor in 30-40 feet or so due to the amount of anchor rode onboard, any suggestions on nice spots not too far off Avalon?

 

[drbill]

There are dive sites between Long Point and the East End Quarry that you can try. They include Pirate's Cove (inside Long Point itself), Hen Rock, Torqua Springs, and between Toyon Bay and Gallagher's in the region from LP to Avalon. From Avalon south the water is a bit deeper nearshore at the site just below the landfill (Blue Car Wreck) or just before the quarry (Garibaldi Reef). You could also drop anchor along Pebbly Beach Road.

Keep in mind that the bottom often drops off quickly and you can be in 100-200 ft pretty quickly at some sites.

 

[muddiver]

Ripper's Cove has a large shallow sand bottom that hold for a bit before dropping off. There are rocks on the south side of the cove. Pick up a Franko map at the local dive shop before you hit the road. He has a lot of the dive sites marked out on it.

 

[MikeMag]

Thanks for the info! I know there's a Franko onboard, so we'll be prepared. Yes, we were looking for a site just like Ripper's situation, just a mite closer to Avalon. Should be a beauty weekend--Thanks again! Mike

 

[MaxBottomtime]

http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showfull.php?photo=30664

 

[MikeMag]

Thanks for the online map, very handy! Does anyone know if they allow diving entry off a moored boat in front of Descanso Beach? Sure would be a easy swim over to the dive park.....

 

[Redondoscubadude]

This is a good book to have on board -
Amazon.com: Boating and Diving Catalina Island: Bruce Wicklund: Books

 

[dpbishop]

You can dive off of moored boats if you can get a mooring. Just be careful of traffic when you swim to the park, during the summer Avalon is the world headquarters of Bozos in Boats. Hen Rock at Whites landing is a good dive with easy anchoring; a sand bottom at 50' +/-. It's a fairly shallow dive with lots of life. If you moor at Whites overnight (in front of the old scout camp) you might see some buffalo on the beach in the morning.

 

[saintsfan]

I got fussed at by harbor patrol for swimming from my boat to the park, they said they would prefer I used my inflatable and tie to the cables outside the park during the summer months or busy times. that said, the patrol is easy to see and avoid, not that I would do such a thing

 

[drbill]

Actually you can't go from a moored boat in Descanso to the dive park in gear unless you have a permit from the Harbor Dept. I doubt they'd issue one as it is a fairly big yachting weekend here... the annual Catalina Conservancy big band dance in the Casino ballroom. If you brought the boat close to the dive park boundary lines and dropped in the water, you'd probably be fine.

Not sure if the map Phil pointed you to on-line is one of Franko's, but you might look at his maps of all the dive sites around the island. They also give you an idea of depths and conditions.