Catalina Island

[blue steal]

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?

Jax:
I like to use the downtown Long Beach ferry terminal as it has the 0615 departure time.
They seem to always have the big catamaran ship there, so it is comfortable, ride time about an hour.
They are hit and miss with weighing you dive gear.
Waiting area is nice with a coffee/snack bar.
Parking is easy, close to terminal, but at $15 a day x 8 days could get a bit expensive. Not sure how to get around this one.
Price is 69.50 adult 63.00 senior (55+), and there are coupons on-line for 7.50 off.

I think your class is in two harbors so you will need to make sure that you make the reservations to get there.
The San Pedro terminals first boat is 0800 I believe.
Oh, I just checked and to get to Two Harbors you will need to use the San Pedro service.
First boat out Saturday is at 0800, then 12:30. Returning on a Sat. 10:15 and 1400.
Times going and returning to two harbors is less frequent than Avalon.
Good luck on your class.

 

[waterwade]

If travelling with a large, ok semi large group of divers. Where is a good place to stay on the island?

 

[dwaters]

If travelling with a large, ok semi large group of divers. Where is a good place to stay on the island?

Please check out our "sticky" here: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/socal/231885-updated-great-catalina-island-info-sticky-thread.html
Alot of great info here.
My vote is for SeaPort village as they understand divers and take care of us....call and make a deal
Here is their link:
Seaport Village Inn on Catalina Island - BEST VALUE ON CATALINA ISLAND!

PS. November is a great time to dive locally..... weather could be hot, warm, of cool but not cold and the water
still summer/early fall cool...usually does not drop until December...but you never know based on the last few years of strange weather.
Let us know when you plan to join us in our wonder cool waters so we can stop by to welcome you in person.

 

[blue steal]

If travelling with a large, ok semi large group of divers. Where is a good place to stay on the island?

I'm sure others will chime in on a good place to stay. November should be the off season, so it may be a bit cheaper.
That being said, the hotels are quite expensive compared to the mainland. It probably will come down to your budget.
For divers, the Seaport Village Inn is a good choice. They will pick you up from the ferry dock, and take you down to the casino point park.

 

[Randynfla]

You will fall in love with catalina, or any of the channel islands, I was born and raised in CA and started my diving career in the kelp. My military career allowed me to dive around the world, and I now reside in FL. The warm water and coral are nice, but just do not hold a good kelp bed. A couple more years I will be back to my beloved kelp and channel islands for good this time

 

[keithbt]

Catalina feels like it is a world away..(even though its still L.A.)... I love the kelp forest... I try to go a couple times a month and it never seems to let me down. The visibility is ususlly great! Especially if you are on a boat because you or the captian can look for better conditions depending on ocean conditions...The captains there know the island better than anyone...You can also lobster dive off the boats...they are in season Oct. 2 thu March 16...The Dive park cannot be beat for instant all day shore (stair) diving...Easy air fills and good attitudes. I believe The fall is the beat time to dive Catalina for visibility. Water temps can very alot. 55-65 would be the range. I dove 1 day at 65 and 1 day later 58...7 mil would be standard and alot wear a hooded 5 mil vest or farmer johns...Have a great time...

 

[Lorenzoid]

Factor in that it may be difficult to get enough divers to commit to a local dive boat for it to go out. We've been planning a trip to Catalina for over a month now, and it is now upon us, yet in the month we've been in contact with the dive shops they have said that not enough people are signing up. And this is August--the height of the season. If you go in November, I can imagine you will not be able to get a boat to go out.

By the way, if anyone might want to consider a boat dive on Monday 8/22 with Scuba Luv, I think they only need a few more people Sorry for self-serving interjection, but it is our vacation and first time to Catalina, and we really would like to do a boat dive. But if not, we'll be shore diving in the park on Monday!

 

[waterwade]

This is all great info and greatly appriciated. Now, patience is my enemy. I really cann't wait to get to Catalina.
Thanks to All