Catalina Recomendations..

[ucladiver]

Anyone have reccomendations for a place to stay on Catalina for a few days diving? Also how is Catalina Express as far as bringing all your gear on board? Is there a good Dive Shop on the Island for renting/air fills? Lastly wheres the good diving? .. Any information would be apreciated big time. Thanks!

 

[kelpmermaid]

I am assuming that you mean Avalon and not Two Harbors, right? You might actually want to look at some of the dive packages that include transportation, lodging, and diving. I usually stay at the Pavilion Lodge because it is convenient, but I don't know what your price range is. As for dive shops, there are two - Scuba Luv and Catalina Divers' Supply. Scuba Luv is in town, and the owners are very nice. You can do trips off of the Prince or King Neptune and dive off of Casino Point. Catalina Divers' Supply is on the pier and out at Casino Point, but the last time I was out in Avalon, they were still working on reconstruction of the pier and that shop was closed.

 

[kelpmermaid]

Here it is:

http://www.scubaluv.com/

You might also see info on packages in California Diving News.

 

[socaldiver]

I concur with Kelpmermaid in her assessments. Although the pier is under renovation the trailer at Casino Point is open for tank rentals and refills.

I personally prefer the Seabreeze Hotel to stay at, it sits up on the hill overlooking the harbor and is away from the "nightlife". Prices are relative to most of the other places. I might also suggest you check out www.catalina.com as another site that gives you info on the island, packages available from assorted hotels. Most packages include roundtrip transportation on the Catalina Express.

As far as the Catalina Express goes, you can take your dive gear and 1 tank (they make you put your dive gear on the stern of the boat) and they have a seperate compartment for luggage.

Casino Point and Descanso Beach are about the only places you can shore dive with Casino Point being the easiest entry/exit. Plenty of marine life in both places.

The dive boats Kelpmermaid mentioned are nice and comfy, usually (depending on what time of year you go) will have 8 to 10 divers on board and they take you to dive sites on the frontside most of the time.

If you have never been to Catalina you are in for a good time. There is plenty to see and do during your SI.