Casino Point Information

[KazInAz]

A group of us are travelling from Arizona mid August to dive on day (a Saturday) at Casino Point. I see that alot of you regularly dive this spot and was looking for some advice to make the trip enjoyable. We are planning on going over Saturday morning. I do not yet have a final number of how many are going but I would estimate 10-15 of us. I was wondering what the name of the dive shop is so that we can arrange tanks and weights as opposed to bringing our own. We might have a few students with us as well. What is the best way to get that many people with equipment over to the dive site? Should we get reservations for the express even if I dont have a final number?
Any other tidbits or info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Kaz

 

[simbrooks]

Although not from the area, i went diving there the other week with a few friends, so its still pretty fresh in my mind, locals can help clue you in on what i missed though i am sure

Casino Point Map, this should show you some points of interest. My friend had a nicer map than this on site, but they were local You go over on the ferry from somewhere like San Pedro for about $48 for a day trip, seemed to leave around 8am and 11.30am from there with a few return services.

We then took a taxi out from the ferry terminal to the park. Just around the park is an air fill van, that is open til around 4pm, you can rent tanks and other bits there, but as with all rentals, its not great life-support gear, i would bring your own and get tanks/weights from them. Dont know any contact numbers though for the air van place. As for booking the ferry, we did that the night before, but for a group that large, maybe a few days in advance would be best! The trip over took about 40 mins, the engine was down on our way back so it took nearly 2 hours to crawl back that evening, hopefully that isnt a daily occurance.

We did two dives, first was on the Sujac (sp?) which is the eastern most point of the park, around 90-95 for the wreck itself, but the anchor of the buoy is around 105ft or so. We went around the giant kelp forests on the way in, second dives we hit the glass bottom boat, sailing boat and kismet, then headed west to the platform and in through the kelp forests again. Managed about 100 mins for the two dives together. Supposedly the eastern end is pretty steep and the western is less so, the topside is like the pinnacle of the site, with the northern side dropping away from it to varying degrees.

This was a great site, if it werent for the kelp being in the way or blocking out a little light i would think the viz was 60ft+, in any case it was around 45-50ft as far as you could see basically. The temps were a little crazy, it was in the low 60's for the first 30ft or so and around mid-50's below the thermocline, man that was cold in a 5mm with hood and gloves, nice change from FL's bath tub water for sure!!

 

[mccabejc]

To fill in what simbrooks said, the dive shop which operates the trailer at Casino Point is http://www.catalinadiverssupply.com/. I believe they open at 8am. Also the ferry he mentioned is Catalina Express (www.catalinaexpress.com). You might want to take the 6:15 am ferry, since it's less crowded.

 

[saf_25]

A group of us are travelling from Arizona mid August to dive on day (a Saturday) at Casino Point. I see that alot of you regularly dive this spot and was looking for some advice to make the trip enjoyable. We are planning on going over Saturday morning. I do not yet have a final number of how many are going but I would estimate 10-15 of us. I was wondering what the name of the dive shop is so that we can arrange tanks and weights as opposed to bringing our own.

There are 2 dive shops on the Island - Catalina Divers Supply and Catalina Scuba Luv . I believe that Divers Supply is the one with the shop/fill station that is right at the point, so that would be the most accessible and convenient. Their website has a phone # to call for reservations.

We might have a few students with us as well. What is the best way to get that many people with equipment over to the dive site? Should we get reservations for the express even if I dont have a final number?.

YES - CALL THE EXPRESS NOW!!! The Catalina Express is the best boat for divers - you can take 1 gear bag plus 1 other bag per person (plus 1 tank, but you won't be doing that since you'll rent there). They are approx. $48 per person , like Simbrooks said, and there are an assortment of times and locations out of Long Beach that the boats leave from. But, they tend to book up quickly, especially in the summer, so make your reservations now. Make them for the max amount you think will go - you can always cancel up to 6pm the night before your boat leaves, but if they are out of spots, then you're not guaranteed a trip.

Any other tidbits or info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Kaz

There have been other posts with questions similar to this with lots of Casino Point in them. I don't have time to find them for you now, but if you search in the So Cal section, I'm sure they're there. The only other suggestion I'd make is, instead of taking a taxi (which can usually only seat approx. 4 and costs $10 per person each way) use the Catalina Baggage people to haul your gear for you. Their trucks will meet you at the docks, load your gear up, and bring it to the Casino. You still need to walk there, but it's not that far (20 leisurely minutes, much less walking fast, but hey, you're on vacation so enjoy the trip!). When you're done diving for the day, just call them up and they'll pack all of your stuff back on the truck and bring it to the locked up area where they hold it for you until it's time to board the boat back. That way, there's no need for you to schlep your wet gear around all evening, but you can still enjoy the ambiance of downtown Avalon before you need to leave. Best part is that they only charge something like $8 (7 if you have more than 4 people) per person total (that's round trip!). Much better than the taxi. Their # is 310-510-0766.
Have a great trip!

 

[Mo2vation]

A group of us are travelling from Arizona mid August to dive on day (a Saturday) at Casino Point. I see that alot of you regularly dive this spot and was looking for some advice to make the trip enjoyable.

You'll need to meet up with some SoCal divers for that!!!

We might have a few students with us as well. What is the best way to get that many people with equipment over to the dive site?

I recommend using the Sherpas (Catalina Baggage.) These guys will transport your gear at a group rate, and you can walk to the point through town. Its a short, easy walk with no gear. You get off the boat, they'll be waiting with the truck, and will schlep your stuff to the point enmass. After you're done diving, they'll pick it up and hold it for you so you can go into town for grub, an Olaf (waffle cone... YUMMERS) a beer and some Karaoke. Their number is 310-510-0766

Any other tidbits or info would be greatly appreciated.

Some:

* Bring a filmcan loaded with Quarters - there are lockers at the point

* Bring a tarp (the ubiquitous blue tarps work well) as the blacktop is rough - not kind to wet, bare feet.

* Bring sunscreen - you're in a blacktop when on the surface... you or members of your party can get fried quickly

* Bring snacks and water - the fill station sells stuff, but its easier and cheaper to bring your own 'tween-dive munchables

* Lunch - the closest is the Dockside Cafe (forget its new name...) Pallatable grub - it will be a reasonable SI to walk over, eat and come back.

* I've broken the park into three distinct parts.

a) SueJack area - deeper wreck (60 - 90 feet) and the chain graveyard. I love this section. You can get in Big Casino reef on the way out to it with its huge calico bass and the Moray. There is also a big sheephead that will follow you back from the SueJack.

b) Kismet area - in the 50 - 65 foot range. Some smaller wrecks, interesting stuff. You can take in the area outside the kelp line on the way in / out and maybe see the Giant Sea Bass that are lurking about lately.

c) Swim Platform area - about 45 - 55 foot range, with a much shallower return trip along the rocks to the left of the steps (facing outward.) Currently my fav dive in the park. Mad BT with the shallow finish, take in the sandy area and look for the big bat rays on the way out or back, poke in the rocks on the edge of Descanso Beach (on the edge of the park) for lobster, cleaner shrimp, schools of baitfish and Oscar the best known of the big Sheephead.

Go to the SoCal room and post when you're coming out. Some of us will be sure to be there and say hi.

K

 

[ChrisM]

Clarification, I like the baggage service better than the taxi as well, cuz you get a nice walk in, but the cabs are about $11 per cab, not per person. Round trip baggage service is $8 per person... So if you have a bunch, and money is a concern, cab it.

Chris

 

[Mo2vation]

Clarification, I like the baggage service better than the taxi as well, cuz you get a nice walk in, but the cabs are about $11 per cab, not per person. Round trip baggage service is $8 per person... So if you have a bunch, and money is a concern, cab it.

Chris

And only applies if your in a single group - you get 2 people going to the Casino and two people going to the SeaSide in the same cab, its $11 FOR EACH STOP. One way, of course.

The Sherpas will do it for $7 each (round trip) for a group of 4 or more - unless they've changed prices recently.

The big benefit of the baggage service is they'll pick up and hold your stuff - so you're not schlepping your bags to dinner and drinks.

K

 

[mccabejc]

Does the Baggage service stow/lock your bags at the Casino after you arrive, so you can take a leisurely walk from the boat, stop and get breakfast, etc.? I'm originally from New York, so the thought of leaving anything unattended and unlocked is beyond my comprehension.

Though I was impressed that everyone seems to leave all their stuff there, unattended, while they dive. But I'm positive that someday a group of punks are going to drive up to the Casino in a beat up old Buick with a broken muffler, jump out, load up the trunk with scuba gear, and leave skid marks getting out of there.

Yo, you talkin' to ME ???

 

[Mo2vation]

Does the Baggage service stow/lock your bags at the Casino after you arrive, so you can take a leisurely walk from the boat, stop and get breakfast, etc.? I'm originally from New York, so the thought of leaving anything unattended and unlocked is beyond my comprehension.

Though I was impressed that everyone seems to leave all their stuff there, unattended, while they dive. But I'm positive that someday a group of punks are going to drive up to the Casino in a beat up old Buick with a broken muffler, jump out, load up the trunk with scuba gear, and leave skid marks getting out of there.

Yo, you talkin' to ME ???

They'll just dunp yo stuff in a heap at the flagpole. Give them your bags, go eat, then walk back to them and tell them you're ready for them to take your stuff to the point. So you get there about the same time.

I lock up the most valuable stuff when I go to lunch - regs gauges, camera, etc. I dive dry, so I take my wallet and key with me. After 5 years of diving there, I've never had an issue.

K

 

[ChrisM]

They'll just dunp yo stuff in a heap at the flagpole. Give them your bags, go eat, then walk back to them and tell them you're ready for them to take your stuff to the point. So you get there about the same time.


K

Ugh, walk into town, then back to the pier, then back thru town to the point? I know it's not all that far... but..... I'd just stop and grab a bagel or something quick on the way thru

And "locking the bags up" when they take your stuff back is a little, well overstating. Yes, it's in a gated area, but every time I just walk up to them and say "hey, I'm getting my bags, cool?" they say cool and I waltz in and take my bag, but I could be anyone, taking any bag.....

Haven't had any problems yet either at the point or with the baggage service. Everyone is pretty trusting there. Something may happen someday.. or not.

Chris