Anacapa on Thursday, Sept. 9

[lbussell]

I am considering signing up for the Peace Dive Boat excursion to Anacapa next week. I have a couple of questions:

1. I have done around 50 dives so far... all in warm, tropical water. I know that they can rent me a 7mm full suit (w/ hood, boots, gloves). I am hoping that that will be enough in the 58º-63º water. It is a 3 dive day trip. I don't want to shiver!

2. All of my dives have been with small groups and guides. Peace does not provide that, unless you hire one of theirs. It would be great to find a dive buddy. If not, naturally, I'd hire one of their dive masters.

3. Any comments and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I'll be staying in Brentwood (WLA) for 10 days, so really most locations in Southern Cal. are fine. I've got my own equipment and a car. I've been to both the Channel Islands, as well as Catalina in the past. The more natural, uncrowded atmosphere of the Channel Islands appeals to me. Plus, if I don't feel like staying in Ventura the night before I could just get up real early and drive to the harbor.

 

[Leejnd]

1. I dive with a 7-mil wetsuit, and that's fine for me. But I don't get cold very easily. I know lots of local divers who only dive in drysuits around here, but I'm fine diving wet. This is the time of year when the water is actually warmest around here. Also, Peace has this awesome hot tub, and when it's cold, all us wet divers stand around and dump plastic buckets of water down our wetsuits. It feels great, and warms you up right quick!

2. If you're used to resort-type dive boats where you all go in a group with a DM/guide, it's good that you are aware that things are VERY different around here. On our SoCal dive boats, you are expected to be completely self-sufficient - bring your buddy, set up your own gear, plan your own dive and dive your plan on your own. DMs usually don't even go in the water unless there's an emergency.

Peace offers the option of hiring a single-day private guide, at $125 a day - not sure what the price would be for a 3-day trip, because then the guide has to be there 24 hours a day for three days! You need to book this at least one week in advance, so if you're going to do that, you should contact them pretty soon to arrange that.

If you go on your own, they will usually help you find a buddy to dive with. We've been asked to take someone with us who didn't have a buddy, and we have no problem with that. Another option would be to post a thread here asking if anyone is planning on going on the same trip, and is available to buddy with you. Not sure if you'd find any takers at this late date, but something to consider.

3. As far as where to stay - you can always board Peace the night before and sleep in the bunk. Since they tend to leave pretty early in the morning, that seems a better option to me than driving up that morning from Brentwood (long drive!). Traffic can catch you by surprise around here - I wouldn't chance missing the boat due to an accident on the 405. Plus, boarding the night before, you can fill out all your paperwork and then sleep in all the way to the first dive site the next morning.

Bring earplugs!

 

[lbussell]

Thanks, LeeAnne. I guess I wasn't clear... It's a one-day excursion with 3 dives, not a three day trip. I'm from WLA, so I know about traffic! From where our house is out there I would probably take PCH through Malibu, etc. Your idea of staying up there makes a lot of sense, though- either on their boat or at a local motel. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Leejnd]

Oops - I misread your post! Sorry 'bout that! (I read it as "3 day dive trip", not "3 dive day trip". DOOP!)

Yeah, so your best option would probably be to go with that guide for the day. And that way you'll also be sure to have someone who can take you around to see the best stuff. At $125, if you're not used to our local waters, I think that's a great deal!

I thought you were from Kauai because...well...your profile says so.