Catalina island in March

[sbm]

Hello, I'm planning a weekend to the island and wondering if anyone can help suggest a Dive Shop. Are boat dives better than shore dives? I will be the only diver in my group, so is it easy to find a buddy? Anything else I need to know?

Thank you!

 

[merxlin]

Check this out Catalina Island Info

The dive park is a great way to spend the day, but if you are the only diver in your group you might have trouble finding a buddy. Chances are if you post exactly when you are going to be there, someone from Scubaboard will join you to dive. Boats are available as well. Either way, you will enjoy yourself.

 

[drbill]

There are three shops here in Avalon... SCUBA Luv, Catalina Divers Supply and Dive Moore. All three can give you a good experience. For my money, SCUBA Luv's King Neptune dive boat is the best if you want to get a full day of diving in (3 dives). CDS's div boat does 2-3 dives a day if you want a shorter day. Dive Moore does not have their boat here yet, but might by then.

Shore diving in the park is great and easy... gear rental from CDS right there on site.

 

[fnfalman]

There are a few ways to dive at Catalina:

1. Get on a dive boat from mainland and go for it. Advantages are that the boat will go to several different sites, and you can find an insta-buddy with ease.

2. Get on the Catalina Express and get out to Avalon (the city on Catalina) and shore dive at the Casino Point dive park.

3. Get on the Cat Express, get to Avalon and get on one of the dive boats being ran by two main Avalon dive shops (Catalina Diver Supply and Scuba Luv). To me, this is a bit superfluous because you have to pay for transit on the Cat Express and then pay another dive boat to take you around the island. The only way this course of action would make sense is that you were to do your vacation on Catalina itself and wanted to dive at places other than the Casino Point dive park. Otherwise, it's cheaper to get on a dive boat from mainland.

Anyway, if you're at Catalina for the whole weekend, then maybe it wouldn't be bad to do Item #3. Dive at Casino Point on one day and the next day dive with a boat chartered through either Catalina Diver Supply or Scuba Luv. From what I understand, both of these boats have excellent services. Of course, they can provide you with all the equipment as well.

 

[DwayneJ]

Cheaper to get a boat on the mainland going to Catalina. Expensive to purchase a return ferry trip and then a Catalina dive boat.

Dwayne

 

[merxlin]

It sounds like the OP is already staying on the island for the weekend with a group of people.

 

[drbill]

Agree with Merxlin... the OP plans to be here already so the option of taking a dive boat from the mainland does not seem to be an option in this case (although it is a good one if a diver is not planning to stay on the island itself).

 

[El Dude]

sbm,
Since you are the only diver in your group it might be a little hard to pry yourself away for a boat trip. Having lived on island time I would suggest you just set your sights on the Avalon Dive Park. It is SUPER easy access, there are stairs into the water and the park is big enough to entertain you for a weekend (3 dives/day). You can stay shallow and kelpy, go DEEP or check out the wrecks. There's a dive shop truck right at the water's edge and the park is the most heavily dived spot in the US. I think you would be able to find a buddy at the water's edge easy. I hope this helps.

 

[sbm]

Thank you all for your comments! I'll probably check out the Park and try to find someone to dive with since it seems a lot of people will be there, and I'll probably try to get on Scuba Luv. I assume they provide soft weight with the tank rental? How's the water temperature during march? I will be diving with a 7mm.

Thanks again!

 

[El Dude]

7mil sounds toasty. Don't forget your hood/gloves/booties! If you're like me and run hot in the ocean you can adjust afer the first dive. I haven't been on Scuba Luv's boat but my friend used to work on it I think. I'll give her a call and let you know. They should provide weights if they care about their deck, maybe tanks, but you should be able to find that easy in the tiny town of Avalon.

All this talk about Catalina is making me wanna catch the Cat Express out there and join you!