Catalina Liveaboads for L-Day Weekend...??

[DandyDon]

:hi: Anyone know about any all-weekend liveaboard trips to Catalina and/or nearby? Thinking about flying to LAX for a two or three days of diving. I called some of the operators, and it sounds like they're more into the day trips. Or would I be better off going for an island based approach...? :question:

Happy Bubbles, ldguy: Don

 

[MarcHall]

Check the website californiadiveboats.com for a list of dive boats in So Cal and links to their websites.

Most boats do not run multi-day trips to just Catalina. These trips normally include at least one other local island. Catalina is easily reached to be treated more as a 1 day destination. That said many of the boats will leave at early in the morning in order to do a 1 day trip to Santa Barbara Island or San Clemente Island.

In the LA area my favorite boat is the Sundiver with Captain Ray. He runs out of Long Beach so if he is doing single day trips you might book a hotel there and then join him for 2 or 3 trips to Catalina.

I would also recommend the Great Escape and the Encore who are more likely to be running multiday trips.

In San Diego, check out the Horizon for a multi-day trip out to the islands.

In Santa Barbara, check out the Truth Aquatics boats.

An Avalon based trip would also be a possibilty.

Marc Hall
www.enjoythedive.com

 

[Dyno Bill]

The californis Diving news is a publication that is all about Cal diving, places aand operators. It is availabe on line and is well worth the time reading it as it reflects lots of stuff about diving around here. Catalina Scuba Luv is in Avalon which is the bigger town on Catalina and they have two boats of their own. There are quite a numbe of boats serving this area so read the paper and feel free to ask any questions. I have enjoyed diving most of the boats from around that area.
Bill.........Dive safe

 

[DandyDon]

Thanks for the information so far. I'm still hoping that someone will already have complete scoop on a booking boat (it'd also be nice if she was gorgeous, single, and loney) that I might just join, but I can use these answers in my own search.

Or, I might opt for the Avalon based weekend. I DO NOT WANT TO CROSS THE CHANNEL TWICE A DAY, EVERY DAY!

Thanks, ldguy: Don

 

[DandyDon]

Checked California Dive Boats and C.Diving News - called around, and found ONE boat doing the trip I was looking for, but it was full and paid for. Dang! ;-0

Then researched the two Catalina dive operators and :doctor: DRBILL's helpful suggestions - learning that I:
(1) could do the Scuba Luv package with ferry trip and Atwater economy room, or
(2) could do the same bookings on my own; OR
(3) book the room and ferry package at the nicer Seaport Village - ALL FOR ABOUT THE SAME MONEY!! :$: I opted for the later!

When I actually went to book air and hotel, I suddenly learned that air had gone up $50 and hotel up $70?? :huh: But I waited a couple of hours on the air, and it went back down, and we cleared the confusion over the room price, as I was booking a singel, not a double, so I got that $70 back!

So now I have the logistics worked out and plenty of time to research the details!! :yeah:

 

[Dyno Bill]

As far as the living arangements I think you will be happier with your choice, having been at the budget hotels myself. As far as the diving goes, I would save a day to enjoy Avalon and the divers park there below the Casino.
Bill

 

[jwnca]

I'll be diving with http://calboatdiving.com/ August 9 and 10th.

I'll let you know when I get back what they're like.

 

[rickyd]

calboatdiving is actually a web site the services three unrelated boats, that are all docked in Ventura Harbor - The Peace, The Spectre and The Explorer.

They are all quite different, in terms of crews, captain, service, etc., and the types of divers/groups they cater to.

I've been on all, and my favorite is The Peace. I'll be diving it again next Wednesday to the oil rigs... Search the board and you should find lots of info on each boat.