Catalina, late may?

[robint]

So what are the water temps and conditions for Catalina in late May? How has it been lately? We are thinking of running out for a long weekend, maybe then or early June. Dive park isn't busy yet, right? Boat dives? Thinking maybe a day of each.

One of the reasons for coming out then instead of waiting until Aug/Sept when we usually do Calif trip, is that we want to see a bit different fishlife. We were told last trip that we would have better chance of seeing things like nudies and angelsharks when water was colder. Yes?

(we just returned from a trip to Bonaire and quite honestly we were bored by mid-week. We both said "geez, I miss kelp and Calif diving!"). Funny, huh!

robin

 

[fnfalman]

Normally by late May, water temp should get to be high 50s, but this year had been cooler than usual, so who knows?

Nudies galore around Catalina this year though. I've seen so many nudies at sites that I've dived multiple times before yet never seen any.

 

[drbill]

Hard to forecast since each year is a bit different.. last year was cool, this year a bit warmer so far. Min temp of 61 F at a max depth of 55 ft last weekend. Surface temp already 63 F. This time of the year you may hit "phytoplankton season" or the beginning of "bat ray season." Neither are optimal for diving due to decreased vis.

Nudies generally are more abundant during cooler periods (or at depth) because the food they like to munch on, often filter feeders, have more to eat when nutrients are high. Warm water depletes them. Most pf the nudies I see are at depths greater than 80 ft.

Giant sea bass have begun showing up in the dive park (and at the boat rental stand on the Pleasure Pier).

 

[tincan715]

My son and I dove for the first time at the Catalina scuba park last week. Water temp was 57, visibility was maybe 20 - 30 feet, and there were only a handful of other divers there (but it was a Tuesday). We had a great time and felt well taken care of by Catalina Scuba Luv.

 

[mselenaous]

RobinT, Join us at Casino Point on Thur Jun2nd for Ditch Work and Dive Day, then stay the rest of the weekend for more diving and the Scuba Show. It'll be a blast and you'll meet many Scubaboarders from near and far...including Dr. Bill
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/socal/377164-dwadd-2011-thursday-june-2nd.html

 

[fnfalman]

Damn, Dr. Bill, the water temp is that warm already? Just last month, it was like 52-F at depth.

 

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

Viz wise, isnt winter the best time to dive Catalina? If you have a drysuit, who cares how cold the water is. Its the viz that calls when you dive right? Or no.

 

[robint]

Viz wise, isnt winter the best time to dive Catalina? If you have a drysuit, who cares how cold the water is. Its the viz that calls when you dive right? Or no.

true... but winter is over and I am not planning to wait until then to go!!

and I don't have a drysuit anymore, diving 7mm with 5mm hooded vest. My hubby will probably take his drysuit though.

thanks everybody... we need to think seriously about this. Might have to wait until July or August, depending on work schedules, but the option of going May-June is good.

robin

 

[fnfalman]

July and August will definitely be warmer. Surface temp will be much warmer so by the time you do your safety stop, you will feel like you're being soaked in bath water. Air temp will be nicer and warmer.

Viz might not be so great and probably more current and surge as well. Nonetheless, I would go anyway. You don't know how good you have until you're a thousand miles away from the ocean and the best viz you've had was like 3-ft and one lone Bluegill sighting in a 40-minutes, 45-F dive.

 

[merxlin]

true... but winter is over and I am not planning to wait until then to go!!

and I don't have a drysuit anymore, diving 7mm with 5mm hooded vest. My hubby will probably take his drysuit though.

thanks everybody... we need to think seriously about this. Might have to wait until July or August, depending on work schedules, but the option of going May-June is good.

robin

You know, the park is open all year---why not come visit twice so you can compare the conditions first hand?