Casino point diving tips

[Steve_C]

Interesting comments. I have dove it 4 times. ( 2 x 2). I hired a personal DM both times to make my life simple and help finding stuff. We discussed our plans and it was more of a buddy dive. So I am clearly not a Catalina pro but have a sense as to what it is to be new to the site.

-I was surprised by the snorkel suggestion. I don't know if all the kelp is back or not but when it was there, especially the first time, I would not have particularly wanted to snorkel it. Much easier to dive. Plenty of room to navigate there.

-Since I am decent on air, even though we went slow so I could poke around, we went out into the 60 ft area looking at stuff. It would be really easy it seemed to me to get outside the "preserve" without knowing it. If your buddy is also new to Catalina, then stay navigationally aware.

-Have fun. If I am ever out there again I would be happy to dive it. Found I love kelp which we do not have much of in my area.

 

[Dizzi Lizzi]

I'm short, so yes it is a bit harder to get up the stairs if its low tide, that's why I time my dives to coincide with the tide . Its a great feeling to ride in the surge and just tuck up, hang on the rail then stand as the water recedes. It's my favorite shore dive because of the entry/exit. Not to say I have a lot of shore diving experience--I don't because I don't like shore dives...too sandy. They have a nice little map at the entry. Better than the one I posted . I would invest in a guide so you can see all the sights easily. My friends were there this weekend, giant sea bass posing for shots each dive! Have fun, dive safe!

 

[scubaandbooks]

Thank you all for your words of wisdom and experience!! I appreciate it so much!

 

[merxlin]

Water temp last Saturday was 60 at 50ft, but we've been overcast and drizzly for a few days so it might drop a bit. I agree that low tide can be a hassle but my tide chart says low is about 7am- so shouldn't be an issue. Night dive might be a problem. I also agree to rent a tank and maybe weights at the trailer.
Navigating the park is relatively easy- go left from the stairs (west) and the reef is on your left hand side, reverse to come back. Note there are some pipes out that way that will make your compass go a bit wonky.If you go right there is more area that way, so watch your time/distance. Heading north away from shore will take you deeper, but only about 70ft at the boundary. You can get to 100 ft in the far northeast corner. but most of the good stuff is in the kelp and rocks closer and shallower in my opinion.
And yes, bring a light to check out the rocks and crevasses for lobster, octopus and other creatures.

 

[scubaandbooks]

Water temp last Saturday was 60 at 50ft, but we've been overcast and drizzly for a few days so it might drop a bit. I agree that low tide can be a hassle but my tide chart says low is about 7am- so shouldn't be an issue. Night dive might be a problem. I also agree to rent a tank and maybe weights at the trailer.
Navigating the park is relatively easy- go left from the stairs (west) and the reef is on your left hand side, reverse to come back. Note there are some pipes out that way that will make your compass go a bit wonky.If you go right there is more area that way, so watch your time/distance. Heading north away from shore will take you deeper, but only about 70ft at the boundary. You can get to 100 ft in the far northeast corner. but most of the good stuff is in the kelp and rocks closer and shallower in my opinion.
And yes, bring a light to check out the rocks and crevasses for lobster, octopus and other creatures.

Thank you so much! This is great info!

 

[blue steal]

For those who have been there recently how much to rent a tank and how much to fill for a second dive?
What time does the trailer open?
Do they have anything besides AL80's?
And for those of us who have DIN, should we bring a yoke adapter?
Thanks

 

[drbill]

Prices just went up so all I know is an air fill is now $8. You can call them (310-510-0330) for updated prices. I believe they open at 8:00 am and close at 4:00 pm. They have a few steel tanks and some DIN and convertible tanks.

 

[lamarpaulski]

For those who have been there recently how much to rent a tank and how much to fill for a second dive?
What time does the trailer open?
Do they have anything besides AL80's?
And for those of us who have DIN, should we bring a yoke adapter?
Thanks

They had Al 100s last Fall. Liked them.

 

[JamesBon92007]

For those who have been there recently how much to rent a tank and how much to fill for a second dive?
What time does the trailer open?
Do they have anything besides AL80's?
And for those of us who have DIN, should we bring a yoke adapter?
Thanks

I was there in July and it was $15 to rent an AL80. They also had some steel tanks. I didn't remove the tape from the valve and walked away with a DIN valve and had to go back so yes, they apparently have DIN but I don't know how many.

 

[hildende]

I usually get an HP100 there but I'm pretty sure I've seen smaller steel tanks, too. Renting steel just went up to $20 (AL is still $15). And I'm usually asked if I want DIN or yoke, so they definitely have both.