Catalina on Memorial Day weekend

[pawclaws]

Hi all. Just got certified in Las Vegas and would like to make the Avalon dive park my first ocean dives. My non-diving wife says, "Let's go down Memorial Day weekend", but I'm thinking it might be a crowded mess. I'm OK staying at a motel in Long Beach and taking the ferry on Sat. & Sun. I'm also buddyless and would like to hire one of the local guides to guide me around.

So what say those who know? Get in two days of crowded (?) diving on the long weekend or wait a week and dive just Sat. (can't take non-holiday Mondays off from work) in "relative" peace. Or are all weekends crowded, so it doesn't matter?

Thanks!

 

[JMdiver]

From Memorial Day on it's crowded on Catalina but it's not too bad. You're better off staying on the island, there are a couple of inexpensive hotels that are diver friendly. Go to this stickly thread for more info on Catalina :The Great Catalina Island Info Sticky Thread. Have fun it's a great place to dive & if anybody from SB is going to be there I'm sure they'd be happy to give you a guided tour.

John

 

[SoCalMike]

If you decide to stay in Long Beach, I would suggest booking one of the Sports Challet dive boat charters. The nice thing is you will be on a boat with a limited amount of people. They will take you to at least 2 dive spots, and there wont be another boat too close by. I would suggest the great escape for a nice open boat.

So now for a dive buddy. Mine is taking off for Europe for 49 days on the 21st of May, so I will be buddyless also. If you sign up for one of the Sports Cahllet boats, i would be more than happy to go also so we both have someone to dive with.

Let me know via this thread, or you can email me thru my profile.

 

[drbill]

Personally, I think it is a zoo on big weekends like Memorial Day... but then I'm a biologist and I like animals!

 

[mickeyroi]

pawclaws and socalmike-

I too will be buddyless for a while as my regular buddy decided to get DCS and can't dive for the next 6 months. I live in Long Beach. I agree that Catalina will be a zoo on Memorial but I'm willing to give it a shot any other week-end, or to join you anytime on a boat dive (no need for a guide there), or even to do some shore diving off Laguna Beach.

Finally, the South Coast Divers group (http://www.southcoastdivers.com/) will be shore diving from Catalina on the 19th. You would definitely be able to find a buddy there.. they are very amiable.

Just let me know.. I have been itching to go.

Michael

 

[vistasbelow]

If these are your first ocean dives, I think your Idea of hiring a professional to guide you is the best bet. It will be busy on Memorial day weekend so advanced reservations are a must. the phone numbers to both Catalina Divers Supply (where I work) and Scuba luv are on the Catalina sticky thread. Going with a pro on a busy weekend will get you at the front of all the lines so the crowds will not be an issue.

 

[drbill]

Hey T... way to go!

I concur with VistasBelow... the BIG weekends are often very big, very crowded, and somewhat difficult re: boat transportation, hotels, waiting lines for restaurants, etc.

 

[pawclaws]

Thanks to all for the advice and buddy offers. I think I'll skip Mem. Day and try for early June.

 

[Cbddogtreats]

Hi all. Just got certified in Las Vegas and would like to make the Avalon dive park my first ocean dives. My non-diving wife says, "Let's go down Memorial Day weekend", but I'm thinking it might be a crowded mess. I'm OK staying at a motel in Long Beach and taking the ferry on Sat. & Sun. I'm also buddyless and would like to hire one of the local guides to guide me around.

So what say those who know? Get in two days of crowded (?) diving on the long weekend or wait a week and dive just Sat. (can't take non-holiday Mondays off from work) in "relative" peace. Or are all weekends crowded, so it doesn't matter?

Thanks!

Hi! I live in Las Vegas too and I’m a rescue diver and looking for a buddy. I’m out in Mexico right now but am back next week and was checking to see if there was anything in CA for Memorial Day. I would love to connect. Jennifer

 

[Esprise Me]

Hi! I live in Las Vegas too and I’m a rescue diver and looking for a buddy. I’m out in Mexico right now but am back next week and was checking to see if there was anything in CA for Memorial Day. I would love to connect. Jennifer

You missed the original poster by 14 years, but the dive park is still there. You can hire a guide (definitely book in advance) or join the Casino Point Divers group on Facebook to look for a buddy. Have fun! It will be crowded, but should be worth it.