Arizona diver trying to explore the west coast

[MrPickles]

Hi everyone, I live in Phoenix so I have been trying to get my dive fix in California. I've visited most sites in San diego and would like to try Catalina or the other islands. Would you suggest catching dive charters from the mainland or taking the ferry over to the island for shore diving? Thanks!

 

[SoCalRich]

Both are great ideas, Book a dive boat, Eco dive center has a list online of most boats going out.
Enjoy
Good Divin, Dive Safe
SoCalRich

 

[BabyLitigator]

Hi everyone, I live in Phoenix so I have been trying to get my dive fix in California. I've visited most sites in San diego and would like to try Catalina or the other islands. Would you suggest catching dive charters from the mainland or taking the ferry over to the island for shore diving? Thanks!

For Avalon Dive Park (which is quite fun), you need to take the ferry to the island. It's doable as a day trip but the appropriate 6 am boat is early.

For most other sites (Catalina, Channel Islands, Rigs, etc.), you are better off a boat from the mainland. Although there are "open" boats (Spectre at all times, others on occasion), most local boats are charters booked by local dive shops, so you book through them. There are a bunch, with Eco being the largest, but there are also bookings by In2Deep, Zen, Ocean Safari, Divers-West and a few others. There isn't really a great index of all trips going out on a given weekend. Just look at the dive shop sites.

 

[MrPickles]

For Avalon Dive Park (which is quite fun), you need to take the ferry to the island. It's doable as a day trip but the appropriate 6 am boat is early.

For most other sites (Catalina, Channel Islands, Rigs, etc.), you are better off a boat from the mainland. Although there are "open" boats (Spectre at all times, others on occasion), most local boats are charters booked by local dive shops, so you book through them. There are a bunch, with Eco being the largest, but there are also bookings by In2Deep, Zen, Ocean Safari, Divers-West and a few others. There isn't really a great index of all trips going out on a given weekend. Just look at the dive shop sites.

What about the Sundiver? I've found... interesting opinions online about it.

 

[covediver]

For a first time visitor to the offshore islands, I would suggest a trip to the Avalon Dive Park. Work you way to the other islands via dive charter. Might also want to check out the Scuba Show at the Long Beach Convention Center May 31 and June 1 to get the lay of the land