S.Cal Between Xmas and New Years

[bikefox]

I have the week between Xmas and New Years off and would love to go diving. Problem is with airfare so high I would like to drive somewhere. Southern California is close enough, but the more I research it, the more confused I become.

My original thought was drive to the LA area and find a boat. Problem number one is I cannot find a boat that goes out during the week.

Second thought was to go to San Deigo as I found at least two boats with trips schedules for the week. Problem two, my dive buddy has very little cold water diving experience and will be diving wet (7mm). The trips out of SD are to the Yukon and the Coranado islands. Also, I'm not sure if these trips will actually happen or if they are just scheduled with the hope that enough divers sign up.

Thought three, Catalina. We are not bound to a charter and it would be a good place for a first cold water dive (?). Problem three, Catalina has so much information on it, but its all so general. I read the sticky and that was a little helpful.

Questions:

I read the water temps. for late December on Catalina were the upper 50's, yet on the Yukon they are listed as the low 50's. This seems a bit off since the Yukon is farther South. Not a big deal for me as I will be diving dry. My dive buddy, however, will be in a 7mm and there is a big difference from 59 to 52 degrees when diving wet. Any ideas what the temps will be on these dives in late December?

If we do go to Catalina, where is a good place to stay if we want to dive casino park? We will have our own tanks, so we will need fills and we'll have to walk to whereever we dive.

Do most of the scheduled trips actually run out of SD? The two boats are the Lois Ann and the Marissa.

Any information or ideas would be helpful.

Thanks

 

[robertarak]

Both the Lois Ann and The Marissa are pretty good with their schedules. The water does tend to be a few degrees cooler in SD then at Catalina. If you opt for Catalina, I like to stay at Seaport Village Seaport Village Inn on Catalina Island - Catalina Island's Finest Family Run Smoke Free Resort Hotel . The place is made for divers, complete with shuttle (golf cart) service to take to and from the dive park.

 

[dwaters]

yup, the cooler current flows thought the northern Channel Islands,pass the back side of Catalina, smack into SanDiego shores, so front side of Catalina is usually 2-4*f warmer.

Here is a list of California boats: California Dive Boats : The Official Page
Diving at the "park" in Avalon, Catalina is a great spot to get use to So.Cal. water and plenty to see even after 6+ dives. During Christmas break, the fill station may be running at the park, but check first.
Most of all, let us know your plans, and I'm sure you'll find someone(s) willing to share the water with ya.

 

[nereas]

Whenever I am in San Diego, I use this list:

California Dive Boats : The Official Page

If you P/M Dr. Bill, I am sure he could tell you more about Santa Catalina as well.

 

[TeqP]

Questions:

I read the water temps. for late December on Catalina were the upper 50's, yet on the Yukon they are listed as the low 50's. This seems a bit off since the Yukon is farther South. Not a big deal for me as I will be diving dry. My dive buddy, however, will be in a 7mm and there is a big difference from 59 to 52 degrees when diving wet. Any ideas what the temps will be on these dives in late December?

If we do go to Catalina, where is a good place to stay if we want to dive casino park? We will have our own tanks, so we will need fills and we'll have to walk to whereever we dive.

As Dwaters said, front side of Catalina will be warmer than Yukon. As a reference, I dove the Ruby E in San Diego in early November 2 or 3 years ago and had 49F at depth. After the 2nd dive in a 7mm you are happy to get back on the boat! I have temps ranging from 54-59F on various parts of Catalina during December and January.

If you stay on Catalina, you can stay economy - Hermosa - off peak rates ~$45 (Vary basic accommodations a little further away from Casino Point). You need to either lug your gear from the hotel or get a dive locker at Casino Point, where you can store your tanks and heavy gear items. Or you can stay at the Seaport Village Inn. This hotel is very close to Casino Point and they serve b-fast and will drive you and your gear to Casino Point. Both places should be reasonably priced during that time since it is off season. Ask each place if they will offer you a package deal to include round trip on the Catalina Express .

Check to see when the tank fill truck opens if your stay is during the weekdays. I believe I have heard that sometime they do not open on "slow days".

Enjoy your trip.

 

[JDog]

Another option might be......because you still have 3 months until the end of December.......is for your buddy to take a drysuit class and just have them rent a suit for the few days you will be diving.