A week in LA with one day (maybe) to dive

[Hetland]

Looks like I might have to do some work in downtown LA for a week just after Thanksgiving. I'd love to check something in the Pacific Ocean off of my to-dive list. I'm thinking I'll have a day (probably half a day) to get wet.

Any suggestions? I'd prefer a charter, but I'm fine with shore-dives too as long as the learning curve's not too steep. Would also like to know the sea temps so I can decide to pack a suit, or rent one on-site.

Thanks,
h

 

[lowtech]

Your probably looking at 60F - 65F for water temps.

NDBC - Station 46222

Most of us dive a full 7mm or a dry suit.
I was on a boat a couple weeks ago with a lady diving a 5mm though.

Are you thinking of diving during the week?

I'd say heading out to Catalina Island would be your best bet for good conditions.

If you want to just hit the dive park (Casino Point). You can get there via...
Catalina Express // Daily Trips To Catalina Island
It's a "shore" dive but there's stairs.

There are others to choose from but I'd recommend the Magician for a charter.
Magician Dive Boat San Pedro CA Schedule of Trips
I'm don't know if they are doing anything on the weekdays though.

I'm sure others with more experience will jump in with more info.

 

[fnfalman]

By early December, temperature should start dropping to mid-50s.

If you only have half a day, your best bet would be taking the Catalina Express to Avalon, Catalina Island and dive at Casino Point dive park. No fuss, no muss.

Shore diving could be pretty rough because the sweet spots are not novice friendly. Diving at the beach is going to be pretty boring during the day (cool critters come out at night), not to mention probably get beat up by the waves.

 

[Hetland]

By early December, temperature should start dropping to mid-50s.

If you only have half a day, your best bet would be taking the Catalina Express to Avalon, Catalina Island and dive at Casino Point dive park. No fuss, no muss.

Shore diving could be pretty rough because the sweet spots are not novice friendly. Diving at the beach is going to be pretty boring during the day (cool critters come out at night), not to mention probably get beat up by the waves.

I'm up for night diving. Is there a way to dive Casino Point after dark?

 

[Rainer]

I'm up for night diving. Is there a way to dive Casino Point after dark?

Yes. Just walk into the water.

 

[ligersandtions]

Yes. Just walk into the water.

hehe

Rainer's technically correct....but it might not be quite that easy. If you want to do a night dive at Casino Point, you will probably need to stay the night on the island, as there may not be any ferries going back to the mainland after you're done with a night dive. You'll need to check the ferry schedule to be sure, though.

BTW, night dives at Casino Point are totally worth staying the night on the island for....the night dives I've done there have been among my favorite dives ever!

 

[Rainer]

Best part of night dives at Casino Point are all the easy to grab large *legal* lobsters.

 

[iztok]

Best part of night dives at Casino Point are all the easy to grab large *legal* lobsters.

And get Dr. Bill upset?

I think they have Wednesday night dives scheduled at Veterans Park just South of LAX. It is a shore dive but waves can rough you up. They did my first time so I have yet to dive that place.

Oh, you can also call Kyaa at Sundiver for a boat dive schedule. Depends on the time they might go out.

 

[fnfalman]

I think they have Wednesday night dives scheduled at Veterans Park just South of LAX. It is a shore dive but waves can rough you up. They did my first time so I have yet to dive that place.

Oh, you can also call Kyaa at Sundiver for a boat dive schedule. Depends on the time they might go out.

Veteran's Park is in Redondo Beach. It is quite south of LAX. It's not the distance that kill ya but the traffic. In SoCal we don't measure travels by miles but by hours.

But yes, Vets Park is pretty boring during day time but night time it's a great dive. I think that there are divers out at Vets Park Tuesday, Wedneday and Thursday. I used to go on Thursdays.

Sea D Sea and Dive 'n Surf are close by for gear rental. Sea D Sea closes at 7PM.

 

[Freezerbrn]

The water here is cold. 7m with hood or drysuit. The viz is best at Catalina island. Total novice dive site is Shaw's cove in Laguna Beach (Orange County) a bit of a long (time wise) trip. The 405 freeway can be crowded.