A couple more questions about Catalina for the uninitiated

[Rudebob]

I appreciate all the info regarding my previous thread on recommendations for our first southern California dive. We are heading out this weekend and are anxious to do some diving. Due to time constraints in trying to visit a few relatives in town Saturday night I tried to book a 2 tank dive on the Island Time, however, the boat is booked this weekend. The other boats get back too late.

After all your suggestions and seeing the photos some of you have posted from last weekends dive I am really pumped to go to Catalina rather than just doing a shore dive (recent viz reports out of Laguna are not that great either). So at this point I am thinking of doing the ferry trip thing and going to the park. I am just looking for some reassurance on my trip planning. I have read the 100+ threads on the "Catalina Sticky" page but most of the significant info is dated (as evident by the indicated cost of the ferry ride) so I was wanting to make sure everything is still the same.

Specifically:

I plan to take all our gear except tanks and weights. Anything I should know about baggage limitations on the ferry?

Is it a given that Scuba Luv will be being renting from their trailer at the park on Saturday or should I call and confirm? Is there anything I should need know about renting and refills from them?

What do folks do with gear bags and storing of valuables (mainly wallet, keys, etc.).

Is there a place to rinse our gear or is there a place where we can cleanup before we head back. I will be between hotels at this time and living out of the car, so to speak, so I was hoping to cleanup before we meet my family for dinner.

With consideration of the crowds and time of year, how much time should we allow for 2 or 3 tanks with conservative S.I.’s and still make the next ferry out on time. This is just a turn n’ burn trip to dive and head back without taking in the local sites.

Thanks for you all you help.

‘Bob

 

[D_B]

I know that you''l get plenty of help here shortly

There are size/weight limits for the hold on the ferry, but you can take a backpack with you too ... Travel Policies // Catalina Express
Pretty sure about Scuba Luv being there every weekend .. Scuba Luv Home
Not much/any theft problem on the island, lots just cover up their stuff .. and I think that the lockers are still there too so you can use them
There are pay showers on the road/path between the dive park and the hotels (on the right going back in to town from the park ... see if this map works ..Live Local Search It's centered on where the showers are and if you scroll around, you can see the dive park in front of the casino, and the ferry landing on the other side of the harbor
We've done 3 tanks in one day and you should have time to brows a little on the way to the ferry and even get something to eat, depending on the schedule

Your gonna love the park, and Catalina .. one of my favorite places .. say hi to Dr Bill too

 

[gary-ramey]

I just did this in May. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Casino point is a great little dive. There's a guy who operates a small rental place right on the pier. The name is escaping me at the moment but you can't miss it. The ferry I used didn't seem to mind my gear bag with was large. You just wheel on, carry on, your large bags and put them on the lower level front of the boat in a roped off area. You load and unload your own bag. You'll exit the ferry then walk over to the pier and you can rent what you need from the little dive shop. They basically give you a big wheel barrow to haul your stuff/tanks over to Casino point which is a few hundred yards away. The lockers are mostly rusted through but if you get their early there'll be one or two there. Once you get to Casino Point there are steps down into the dive park. At low tide it might be real difficult to enter and exit so plan your dives at or near high tide. There are thermoclines so a minimum of a 7mil is needed and you'll probably want a hood.
I thought my first dive in Kelp was awesome. Bat rays, garibaldis, sea bass, and a few other natives. The Garibaldis alone are worth the trip.

 

[muddiver]

On the ferry out of Long Beach there is no restriction because you schlep the bags yourself. The smaller boat out of the Queen Mary dock or San Pedro will have restrictions on weight.

There are coin operater lockers at the dive park. I just cover my stuff up and take the chance.

Air fills every weekend. For a tank, 26 lbs of weight and one refill it cost me $28 last weekend.

Due to the ferry schedule you should go out on the first boat, which I think is at 6:30 am. You can get three dives in before the 2:05 pm boat leaves for Long Beach. Since you are in a hurry I would suggest that you spend the extra money on a gear haul by the Catalina Baggage service (310) 510-0766. They have an office and storage spot by the Catalina Express office on the mole at Avalon.

S.I.'s? Most of the park is in less than 50' of water. Surface swim out to your intended dive spot, decend and follow the bottom back to the entry stairs and you will end up in 20' feet of water where you can do a safety stop and still be well within conservative limits.

 

[Teamcasa]

… So at this point I am thinking of doing the ferry trip thing and going to the park. I am just looking for some reassurance on my trip planning. I have read the 100+ threads on the "Catalina Sticky" page but most of the significant info is dated (as evident by the indicated cost of the ferry ride) so I was wanting to make sure everything is still the same.

Specifically:
I plan to take all our gear except tanks and weights. Anything I should know about baggage limitations on the ferry?

The only real limitation (as far as divers are concerned) is you can not take multiple trips up and down the ramp. In other words, you must be able to haul all of your gear by yourself. Typical diver takes a gear bag and backpack – (weights, if you bring them must be separate). Some bring their tanks as well. Many rent tanks and weights on the island or on the boat.

…Is it a given that Scuba Luv will be being renting from their trailer at the park on Saturday or should I call and confirm? Is there anything I should need know about renting and refills from them?

Unless something drastic happens, you will be able to rent tanks and get fills all weekend.

…What do folks do with gear bags and storing of valuables (mainly wallet, keys, etc.).

Most divers just leave stuff in their gear bag. Other divers tend to watch over each others gear and expect the same when they are diving. If you prefer, there are lockers, old and hard to operate. Bring plenty of quarters.

…Is there a place to rinse our gear or is there a place where we can cleanup before we head back. I will be between hotels at this time and living out of the car, so to speak, so I was hoping to cleanup before we meet my family for dinner.

There is a little store that sells water by the gallon behind the snack bar/restaurant. You can get a gallon or two to rinse. There is also a pay/public shower halfway between the dive park and downtown. (Easy walk) I have rinsed gear there once but mostly I just go home (mainland) to clean gear.

With consideration of the crowds and time of year, how much time should we allow for 2 or 3 tanks with conservative S.I.’s and still make the next ferry out on time. This is just a turn n’ burn trip to dive and head back without taking in the local sites.

If you take the early ferry, 6:15am over, you can easily get in three dives, shower and take in some of the shops before jumping on the 3:45PM return.

 

[DiveNav]

Hi,
if you would like to have a preview of what you are going to see underwater at the park and get familiar with the underwater terrain and Points of Interest, and maybe even do some dive planning, you should have a virtual dive of Casino Point using the brand new eDiving service we just launched at DEMA.

It is available for beta testing online at www.ediving.us.

 

[CompuDude]

Technically, limit for the ferry is two "checked" bags and one carry-on (plus personal item), kinda like an airplane, except no weight limits. Tanks and weights (or a weight bag) don't count as a bag, but you still have to manage it all yourself in one big trip.

Many locals get a monster wheeled dive bag for their gear, lay the tank across the top (or rent right at the fill station), and carry personal items and perhaps a change of clothes in a small backpack. Technical divers have it tougher with doubles. Personally, I get a small dolly and use tie-downs to attach a big plastic bin (an action packer, sort of like a rubbermaid tub) to the dolly, lay the doubles across that, and then have a bag for my drysuit and undergarments on top of the dubs, and of course a backpack.

Fills are either $6 or $8, can't recall which... twice that for doubles.

It's quite common to take the early ferry over, and return on 3:45, as mentioned above, although I prefer to push it later.

The trip over takes just over an hour, and the boat leaves pretty much on time. They like you to be an hour early, but that's not strictly necessary, although you'll get a worse pick of seats if you wait too long to join the long boarding queue.

 

[Rudebob]

Hey thanks for all the quick responses and relevant links. I know you have probably answered the same questions over and over again so I appreciate you taking the time to answer mine. I am really excited about this trip. Living in Arizona and being used to local water temps often up in the 90's the cold water does not excite me but we have got the right equipment now so I'm sure it will not be an issue.

Ironically, I lived in Orange County for 19 years but never thought about diving. Now that I am certified I live in AZ and can't get enough of it.

'bob

 

[D_B]

Some pics of Catalina from last weekend, this viz was incredible it seems, hope you have the same when you go and maybe even one of the Giant Black Sea Bass will follow you around for your dive

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/socal/209991-november-wrinkles-cat-weekend-pix-macro-showcase.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/so...kles-cat-weekend-pix-wide-angle-showcase.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/socal/209938-catalina-pictures-10-11-nov.html

Note: you won't be diving on the Valiant as you need permission to do so, but there are lots of wrecks (Kismet, Glass bottom boat, Sue Jack, others) and stuff (Swim platform, Cousteau Plaque, Etc.) in the park to look for

You can pick up one of these at dive shop or fill trailer, has fish ID on the back, and makes a good souvenir/map

​

 

[Ber Rabbit]

We were first timers last weekend so I can't give a lot of advice but can tell you what I learned:

There's something called the Commodore Lounge on the ferry, it's a $10 upgrade -- get it. You have a different (much shorter) line to stand in and you get to board the ferry first. (Thanks Ann Marie for introducing us to that and providing guidance!) When we boarded the boat I would not have been in the right line because I only saw one, there was NOBODY in the Commodore Lounge line at the time.

When you are walking down the walkway to the Casino the public showers are $2 per person for 5 minutes.

If your back is to the flagpole the trailer where you rent your tanks/weights is around the right side of the building. Stand in the line if there is one and bring your c-card. Once you get to the front of the line you will fill out the rental agreement and they hold your card until they get the gear back. They only rented us one tank at a time, expecting us to come back for fills after each dive. We evidently had an unusually large crowd so the fills weren't happening in a timely manner. You probably won't have the same problem but I recommend switching your tank out as soon as you get out of the water to maximize your dive time. When we rented weight they only had a few 2 pound weights and all the belts were made up of 5 pounders. Get there early to get the smaller weights if you need them just in case it's busy enough that they run out.

If you need to use the restroom turn your back to the flag pole and walk around the left side of the Casino until you see two single orange doors that are almost across from the little restaurant on the pier.

Hope this helps a little bit!
Ber :lilbunny: