Catalina island...

[ScubaStan]

LilmanHSU,

I have been to Anacapa and area islands aboard the Spectre. Awesome dive locales (lots to see due to the Marine Reserve) and the boat has a great crew.

 

[socaldiver]

Dkerr, glad you had the chance to dive our little world. Diving in the kelp has got to be one of the best dives anyone could experience. Getting the opportunity to see the magnificent giant sea bass is definitely a bonus.

Amadeus, the water temp right now is at 60 degrees. By July it should be near 65 (that is about as warm as it gets). I normally dive the summer months in a 2 piece 3 mil, hood and gloves. That keeps me warm. I did run into a thermocline last summer when I went around a "kelp wall" in about 60 fsw. The water temp went from a very balmy 65 to 55. Needless to say, I got out of there quick, and back to warmer water.

For those who are thinking about visiting Catalina, Casino Point is a must dive. It is a very easy shore dive in a marine reserve. So the fish are abundant and "friendly". You will see the Garibaldi, sheephead, calico bass, blacksmith, senoritas, kelpfish, kelp bass, opal eyes, spiny lobster and blue goby without too much effort. If you are lucky you might come across horn sharks, octopus and eels if you look for them.

As far as vis, you will probably have anywhere from 30 to 70 fsw.

Topside during your SI in the summer you will find a dockside restaurant that is nice. A short walk into Avalon will get you plenty of food choices and AFTER you are finished getting wet for the day some "spirits" along the boardwalk.

To find out more about Catalina and packages available check out www.catalina.com

 

[sactomags]

My husband and I call Catalina "California's Hawaii." Okay, so the water doesn't get as warm, but for a quick getaway to warmer water (it doesn't warm up much in Monterey and Lake Tahoe, the two closest bodies of water), Catalina can't be beat.

We have flown, driven/ferried, and stayed at various locales on the island. There's lots to do top side, good food, good bars -- which provides good people watching, and best of all GOOD DIVING! Casino Point is a lovely, relaxing diving -- except when the kelp unhooks your tank and your husband's weight belt breaks and goes down to 50 feet and he's holding on to kelp and another diver while you go get it ... ah, adventures and wonderful memories of Catalina. The Garabaldi are an incredible contrast to the lovely dark waters and filtered sunlight dappling down to the depths to touch your face and you just melt ...

We're off to Florida's east coast next week for a few days of warm water diving ... can't wait!

Margaret

 

[JustAddWater]

Luau Larry's is the perfect place to end your dive day in Catalina.

 

[Kat]

Thanks for the great web site on Catalina, Socaldiver. I had a few questions I was going to post here. But checked out that web site & it told me everything I needed to know.

 

[socaldiver]

My pleasure Kat.

If you have any questions PM me or post on here. There are quite a few of us that visit the island on a fairly regular basis.

 

[divediva]

Catalina is a great little get away, even just for the day. Living close to the ports in Long Beach & San Pedro, it's so easy to jump on the Catalina Express/Flyer and your there. Or better yet,,,, talk a friend in to sailing over is also a good plan. You don't get there as fast, but is all about the journey

The sealions are so much fun. Just like a big puppy.
And the kelp....so much life.

The best after dive thing to do:
Take a nice warm shower. (there are public showers for all those boat dwellers.....best buck I ever spend on the island)

An then find the closes place for a Buffallo Milk....YUMMM

 

[corybaby]

ive heard anacapa is nice but you need perfect conditions, ive dove catalina and san clemente island about 100 times and its always amazing, beautiful everytime, even if the viz isnt perfect.......santa barbara is nice too if (again) you get ideal conditions and dont mind all the sealions pulling on your hood, mask and hoses trying to get attention......Cat is by far the easiest, and closest place to have an awesome dive day..7mm will do fine most months, although i do dive dry from about jan-april unless its a really sunnny day.......try eagles nest, eagle reef, bird rock, and isthmus reef....
My favorite place to dive and weve been to MANY tropical locals, moorea, coz, hawaii, maui,belize, cayman......still catalina offers more, and for me only a little traveling

 

[jeffrey-c]

Timely post Cory - almost 4 1/2 years after the last posting! It's all too easy to do on SB when you see a thread of interest.

 

[drbill]

Heck with all the great stuff being written in this thread about our island and SCUBA Luv, I think it was good of CoryBaby to resurrect it!!!