Channel Islands trip planning

[CompuDude]

late jan, early feb - wow, that is probably the worst time to go on a multi-day trip. it will be cold, maybe rainy.

You're right, it will probably be cold, but this is Southern California. It could just as easily be 80 degrees... there's just no way to know.

As long as the conditions are good enough for the boat to go out, you would have fun. I spent a 2-day on the Peace in 40 degree air, windy and HAILING, and 50 degree water last March, diving wet in a 7mm. I was freezing my ***** off, and had to sit out a dive or two to warm up, but had a GREAT time all the same. Wish I'd had my drysuit then, but I'd go back in the same conditions in a heartbeat. I'd go back in sunny and warm conditions in half a heartbeat.

 

[LAJim]

We did our Reef Check training on the Explorer in April and spent 3 days at sea at Anacapa and Santa Cruz. Weather was pretty good on the Explorer trip with some warm afternoons. But the cold built after a day or two.

A lot of us "get by" diving wet in SoCal January through April, but its only just getting by - especially at the northern islands. I'm putting my TLS-350 together now and will keep the wet gear as a back up and for diving beaches in moderate surf or other conditions where simplifying the gear is rational.

Jim

 

[JMdiver]

Hi D D,
I dive wet year round with a 7mil, in the winter I use a hood unless it drops below 50 deg. then I use a hooded vest & as long as I'm moving around I'm OK. Scottfiji is right you might run into some bad weather but if you're lucky you could have some great weather & vis. good luck.

Happy Diving
John

 

[Delhi Diver]

Since I live on the east coast, I'd rather get the probabilities lined up in my favor and will likely do this later then, in the summer perhaps (what's the best diving season?). Buying a dry suit would be the most expensive way to deal with the problem! And I'd rather not have to worry about freezing while diving in a new and exciting environment.

I like the little stuff and I am sure it'll be different in El Pacifico but I am particularly keen to run into seals, sea lions and great whites (spot the joke!).

Speaking of which, do people ever encounter great whites/orca/large sharks/sunfish/swordfish/humpbacks in the Channel islands?

Great information here, btw, I really appreciate it.

 

[drbill]

Winter is usually the best season as we usually get our best vis (in between storms of course). However, it can be awesome almost any time of year (not talking 150 ft vis, but 60-80 ft).

 

[Delhi Diver]

So what would you suggest is a sweet spot on the calendar: a good balance between temperature, weather and visibility assuming I would like decent visibility and dive in a semi-dry+hood.

 

[Delhi Diver]

Reviving this thread because I am reviving my itinerary: I now have tickets booked to LAX and have three days of diving during 10-14 June. I was thinking of doing two days at Catalina (King Neptune) and one day on the Peace or similar boat at Anacapa.

Is there an easy way to get from Catalina to Ventura in the evening: how long is a commute and can I take a bus from Long Beach to Ventura?

Finally, are there alternative itineraries people can suggest to sample California diving in three days?

 

[egdiver]

There is a boat leaving out of Santa Barbara on the 25th of April for San Clemente Island, I believe its the Vision with Truth Aquatics, All Season Scuba is the charter, I know the phone number is on the calendar at www.truthaquatics.com ,

Happy Diving,
Shaka

 

[CompuDude]

Reviving this thread because I am reviving my itinerary: I now have tickets booked to LAX and have three days of diving during 10-14 June. I was thinking of doing two days at Catalina (King Neptune) and one day on the Peace or similar boat at Anacapa.

Is there an easy way to get from Catalina to Ventura in the evening: how long is a commute and can I take a bus from Long Beach to Ventura?

Finally, are there alternative itineraries people can suggest to sample California diving in three days?

Sounds like a good itinerary, but it's a bit of a trek from Ventura to Long Beach. Depending on time of day and weekend vs. weekday, you're looking at a commute of a couple hours at best, and several hours at worst. I'm not sure what bus services are offered, as L.A. isn't really famous for it's public transportation...

Pull some addresses and run a Yahoo Map (avoid Google Maps in that direction... trust me!) to get some idea. I'll see what I can do in a little while when I get some time to check while at work.

 

[Delhi Diver]

Hmm, Yahoo maps says the commute is about 90 mi and takes a little less than an hour and a half. I was thinking of doing this on a Tuesday evening. Is that silly?