waterwade
Guest
What is the general opionion on diving Catalina? Thinking of going in November.
Like to do some shore and some boat diving?
Like to do some shore and some boat diving?
Catalina Island
- Thread starter waterwade
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
Catalina is beautiful! The Dive Park has, according to our local dive magazine, the "easiest entries in Southern California", and the underwater scenery is gorgeous, with kelp, garibaldis, kelpfish, morays, horn sharks, and tons of nudibranchs. I don't know how much kelp is there in November, though, and weather can be an issue.
Boat diving around Catalina is also superb. Great topography and lots and lots of life.
I'm sure some SoCal locals will give you the lowdown on weather and water conditions at that time of year, but I'd definitely recommend the place as a destination for a dive trip.
Boat diving around Catalina is also superb. Great topography and lots and lots of life.
I'm sure some SoCal locals will give you the lowdown on weather and water conditions at that time of year, but I'd definitely recommend the place as a destination for a dive trip.
I've only been diving here for 42 years so I'm not really ready to give an opinion.
Seriously the dive park can satisfy your desire to dive the magnificent kelp forests (which have been "unusually" healthy the past two summers) and you may have the pleasure of observing the incredible giant sea bass (I saw five on my last dive in the park). I've done over 2,000 dives in the park alone and am still enjoying it. Of course to add a bit of variety to the Catalina experience, you can go out with one of the three dive boats based out of Avalon: Scuba Luv's King Neptune, Catalina Divers' Supply's Scuba Cat and the newest in the fleet, Ron Moore's (Dive Catalina) more intimate vessel.
Seriously the dive park can satisfy your desire to dive the magnificent kelp forests (which have been "unusually" healthy the past two summers) and you may have the pleasure of observing the incredible giant sea bass (I saw five on my last dive in the park). I've done over 2,000 dives in the park alone and am still enjoying it. Of course to add a bit of variety to the Catalina experience, you can go out with one of the three dive boats based out of Avalon: Scuba Luv's King Neptune, Catalina Divers' Supply's Scuba Cat and the newest in the fleet, Ron Moore's (Dive Catalina) more intimate vessel.
if you want to have a preview of several dive sites in Catalina - including the Underwater Park in Avalon (aka Casino Point) you can virtually dive them with our simulator. Just make sure that you equip your avatar with a good 7mm wetsuit because the water is chilly here 
Alberto (aka eDiver)
Alberto (aka eDiver)
Go, you will enjoy Catalina.
While I haven't been to Casino Point since they installed the "easiest entry in SoCal" steps, Casion Point is a great dive. I now prefer to take a two or three day charter from the mainland.
While I haven't been to Casino Point since they installed the "easiest entry in SoCal" steps, Casion Point is a great dive. I now prefer to take a two or three day charter from the mainland.
Rainer
Contributor
Catalina offers some truly outstanding diving,
whether from the dive park:
[vimeo]12352787[/vimeo]
or from a boat:
[vimeo]26306744[/vimeo]
[vimeo]26304407[/vimeo]
[vimeo]25109571[/vimeo]
[vimeo]14414059[/vimeo]
Conditions are usually good all year, but I've seen some of the nicest waters in the fall. Temps range between around 50-70F depending on depth and time of year.
whether from the dive park:
[vimeo]12352787[/vimeo]
or from a boat:
[vimeo]26306744[/vimeo]
[vimeo]26304407[/vimeo]
[vimeo]25109571[/vimeo]
[vimeo]14414059[/vimeo]
Conditions are usually good all year, but I've seen some of the nicest waters in the fall. Temps range between around 50-70F depending on depth and time of year.
Let's say someone will be staying on the island October 16-21, 2011, (U of SoCal's ERD Course) and wants to come the weekend earlier (Sat the 15th) to dive Sunday, and dive Sat the 22nd to leave that evening.
Where's the best place to catch the ferry, and where does one leave one's car?
Last edited:
Thank you Rainer for the excellent videos. After watching those I'm ready to pack my bags.
It seems, what I'm finding is S. Cal diving is world class diving, and that perhaps beacause it's cooler water. It's not hipped up, like warm water destinations. The Marine diversity looks incredable and vis looks variable but good.
I dive inland mostly. Idaho, altitude diving, beacause that's where life has taken me. So, S. Cal cold dosen't sound all that cold to me.
Can't wait to get there,
Thank You All,
Wade
It seems, what I'm finding is S. Cal diving is world class diving, and that perhaps beacause it's cooler water. It's not hipped up, like warm water destinations. The Marine diversity looks incredable and vis looks variable but good.
I dive inland mostly. Idaho, altitude diving, beacause that's where life has taken me. So, S. Cal cold dosen't sound all that cold to me.
Can't wait to get there,
Thank You All,
Wade
decidedlyodd
Contributor
I just got back from Catalina earlier this month after spending 2 days diving the park. We were supposed to do a day on a boat too, but it was canceled since there weren't enough people signed up. Either way, the park was awesome! We wouldn't have seen the giant sea bass on the second day had the boat gone out. Staying on the island is a nice getaway too.
Sent from my Mazaa using Board Express
Sent from my Mazaa using Board Express
Similar threads
