Advice on diving in SoCal in late Feb.

[Gunpowderboy]

I'm going to be in SoCal in late feb and would love to log a couple of dives. Since I'm there on business my days are limited and would be available on either 17-19 or 24-26 of Feb.

Anyone have any good suggestions on where to go and where to rent equipment?

 

[vistasbelow]

Catalina Island is a must see for California diving. you will find the most consistant good conditions unless there is a strong NorthEast wind going on. there are dive shops with easy access, two dive boats and one of the best shore dives in the world.
for a little more info Catalina island scuba diving travel review

You can easily dive there on a day trip but the island is worth an overnight trip for sure.

 

[Papa_Bear]

Avalon Harbor Clean up on Catalina! There will be 500 divers diving all weekend so you can join the fun and maybe meet Dr. Bill?

 

[dwaters]

Welcome to the 'board, gunpowerboy. As others stated, going over to Avalon, Catalina for the day will get you the biggest bang for your buck.... check out our "sticky" here:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/socal/231885-updated-great-catalina-island-info-sticky-thread.html for more information.
Since you wish to dive mid-week, I will not know how my schedual will be until a week before, but
if I can, I would love to sneak a break and dive the "park" with you on a Thursday or Friday.
Give us more info on yourself.... where are you from, how often do you dive, etc???

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Where in SoCal will you be?

 

[Codyjp]

Avalon Harbor Clean up on Catalina! There will be 500 divers diving all weekend so you can join the fun and maybe meet Dr. Bill?

If I were traveling and looking to experience the local diving I highly doubt I'd spend a bunch of money to help the locals clean up their trash.

 

[Rainer]

Totally agree.

I don't even get the point of paying to help clean up *my* local spot. My volunteer time isn't good enough without me also handing over a check?

If I were traveling and looking to experience the local diving I highly doubt I'd spend a bunch of money to help the locals clean up their trash.

 

[Codyjp]

Totally agree.

I don't even get the point of paying to help clean up *my* local spot. My volunteer time isn't good enough without me also handing over a check?

I've asked "why do we have to pay to clean up trash" question for 3 years. I didn't bother this year.

I pick up trash on every dive, and oddly enough it doesn't cost me anything when I do it.

 

[JMdiver]

Dive boats are another way to go. The Spectre out of Ventura goes out on Fridays.
Diving Scuba Vacation, Channel Islands, California

John

 

[ScubaduoAdventures]

When you say southern cal you are encompassing hundreds of miles and quite a few dive options. What part of SoCal so we can offer the best advice?