Boat Diving in San Diego

[Rainer]

I'll be out in SD in mid to late July, and I'm looking to set up some boat dives (will mostly be shore diving LJ). In the past, I've gone out with Lois Ann. For some reason, they have nearly no open boats this summer (using some dumb new website that charges $5 more for the exact same dives as before). Also, their e-mail address seems to no longer work (tried directly e-mailing them and using their form-based system). It's not like they used to answer e-mails (or phone calls) with any sort of regularity, but this is just silly. All this, combined with the fact they seem to now only go to the Yukon and Ruby E (no longer hitting the deeper kelp dives), is making me wonder if there are any other players in town.

One day on the wrecks would be fine, but I wouldn't mind also trying to set up a trip to the kelp sites or even the Coronados Islands. A smaller boat wouldn't hurt either. Any suggestions for other good boats in the San Diego area?

Thanks.

 

[CompuDude]

Have you checked the Cal. Dive Boats page?

http://californiadiveboats.com/

 

[Rainer]

Nope, hadn't seen it. Good resource for which boats are taking divers out. Now I need recommendations.

 

[divinman]

Dive Connections has two boats. One holds 18 the other holds 20. Both are slow but the do go to a lot of sights including the Coronados. Keep in mind that MOST people that come here to dive, come to dive the Yukon. It is a money machine. If it wasnt, we never would have gotten the city to clear us to sink it.

Dive Bliss used to be a good op but not sure if they are still in business.

The Hydro-diver is a six pack private charter boat. Nice Capt. The closer to six divers you can wrangle up, the cheaper the trip. The upside is you get to pick where you go.

 

[Rainer]

Fully understand about the Yukon (been on it myself). That said, pretty much all we see out here on boat dives (MA) are wrecks (ok, and a few lobsters), so I like to see the fish when I'm back home (born and raised in SD). I mean, the Lois Ann has like one dive a month now to the kelp beds. That's pretty lame. The Yukon is fine (even great), but are people going back every week? The PL kelp beds are pretty nice IMO. Putting together a group from here for the HD might be tough, but I'll look into it.

 

[CompuDude]

Fully understand about the Yukon (been on it myself). That said, pretty much all we see out here on boat dives (MA) are wrecks (ok, and a few lobsters), so I like to see the fish when I'm back home (born and raised in SD). I mean, the Lois Ann has like one dive a month now to the kelp beds. That's pretty lame. The Yukon is fine (even great), but are people going back every week? The PL kelp beds are pretty nice IMO. Putting together a group from here for the HD might be tough, but I'll look into it.

I've been on the HydroDiver. My buddy chartered it last year for a class he was running. Very nice capt, good little boat (if small). No fills on board, if that matters.

If we can coordinate, I'd be willing to trek down and join you, if you need bodies for the HD.

 

[Rainer]

I e-mailed the HD to see what they're running to. I'm interested in maybe trying some of the slightly deeper kelp dives. We may or may not also get on the Lois Ann for a trip to the Coronados (was fun last time we went). Leaning toward just hitting the Channel Islands, though, once we're in LA. In addition to trying to get out to the PL kelp beds, we'll also be doing some SD shore dives if you're interested. You can always crash with us for a night if you want to stay down in SD.

 

[Archangel]

R tell how this progresses. . . .

 

[divinman]

I have a two for one cert and a buddy that wants to go with me so if you end up chartering the the HD, send me a PM and we will join you.

Terry

 

[Rainer]

I e-mailed them a few days ago, but haven't heard anything back. I'll try to give them a ring later this afternoon. Any thoughts about sites? I'd really like to do some of the slightly deeper kelp dives (like those listed on the Lois Ann page; Ancient Sea Cliffs, etc).