Casino Point Dive Park

[Kathleen Sea Hare]

Been diving there many times. It's always a great dive.

I personally haven't seen any Ray's, but that doesn't mean you won't.

I have found since I started bringing a dive light, I use it constantly. Always a good thing to have a long.

Got it, dive light packed! Thxs!

 

[Kathleen Sea Hare]

Take it every dive every where.

I've dove the park a few times and it's my favorite place to dive in California. Actually, my only dives in California have been there!

If you're very, very lucky, you might be blessed with seeing the shy and elusive Garibaldi. Keep an eye peeled.

Awesome I’m sooo excited! I don’t know what a garabaldi is but going to Google that now

 

[Kathleen Sea Hare]

If you're taking the Catalina Express over to the island, check the company's website for baggage restrictions.
There's a spottily enforced 50 pound weight limit on bags.
Some divers get around the restrictions by wearing their weight belts, and even their BCDs or BP/Ws, when they board to lighten their bags. Any gear you don't have, or don't want to carry can be rented on the island, although at rather high prices.

Also, get in the boarding line early for your return voyage. The boat fills up fast and seating choices become limited.
Think about upgrading to "Commodore Lounge" for the return trip and getting a guaranteed seat and priority boarding, among other minor perks.

Currents are seldom a problem in the dive park. Avalon is on the lee side of the island, and sheltered from most of the ocean's stronger influences. The one exception is when the off-shore winds from the east kick up, but that's probably not going to happen this time of year.

Yes, take a light!
Peeking between the rocks you'll see lobsters, cleaner shrimp, eels, and all sorts of invertebrates.
As for sighting bigger fish, one just never knows what will swim by. Rays are frequently seen, swimming or digging into the sand with their snouts looking for something to eat. But the real star attractions are the Giant Black Sea Bass. Often seen wandering through the kelp forrest, these guys are very big and slow moving, and incredibly tolerant of divers.

Finally, bring a heavy dose of patience.
In the summer the dive park can get crowded and chaotic, especially since they started renting snorkel gear to non-diving tourists.

With the summer crowds and the hot weather everything takes twice as long as you think it will.

Have a great trip.

K

Thanks for detailed tips!! I just bought a luggage scale... all the gear adds up :-/

 

[wnissen]

I think you'd have a hard time going over their limit. Divers get a third 50-lb. bag and you can carry on weights even separate from that, though why would you bring weights when you can get them at the point? See their addendum:
https://www.catalinaexpress.com/PDFs/baggage-diver.pdf

 

[Kensei]

As Sam Miller pointed out, Stereolepis gigas

What common name do you think should be used?

 

[MaxBottomtime]

There is already a fish with the common name Black Sea Bass, Centropristis striata. It's an east coast fish. Stereolepis gigas should be called Giant Sea Bass, although as Dr. Bill pointed out, they are not really bass.

 

[caruso]

I just bought a luggage scale... all the gear adds up :-/

Quiz: How do you weigh a luggage scale? (without using another scale)

 

[Lifter]

Oh I didn’t think of that, yes my travel bag has wheels. So after I get off ferry I’m supposed to meet up at The Park so it’s a far walk? Is the park easy to find? Sorry for all the questions I never been here.

I would like to say it’s a little over a half mile walk from the ferry dock to the casino.

 

[The Chairman]

Awesome I’m sooo excited! I don’t know what a garabaldi is but going to Google that now

Their camouflage makes them really hard to spot.

 

[saxman242]

Quiz: How do you weigh a luggage scale? (without using another scale)

zero it holding the scale, then flip it over and clip it to something so it's measuring its own mass.