Channel Islands... What do I need to know...

[lamarpaulski]

You can easily rent tanks/weights on Catalina and for Channel Islands. In fact, I always rent mine with Catalina Divers Supply right at the Casino park as it minimizes the schlepping. My 2ct. Dive locations are good. Laguna Beach and San Diego have options too. Fall is the best time of year but there’s never a guarantee.



So I've been looking, it seems I should bring my own tanks and weights. How many tanks? And based on what I can see I basically have two options, which I might do both:

1. Take a dive boat out of Ventura, like the Spectre, which typically seems to hit the northern Channel Islands.

2. Take the ferry over to Avalon, and either shore dive or hop on a dive boat to dive Catalina Island.

Am I understanding this correctly? Are there any other must hit spots in the area? Thinking about a week maybe a little longer depending on what I can find.[/QUOTE]

 

[Manatee Diver]

Knowing the ferry company, probably lol? Or just cough up the $19/day it takes to park. I didn't notice you were traveling so ignore the advice about the hard sided roller box, it is easier but obviously only really applicable to local travelers. Soft sided bags work just fine, just a bit easier with the hard sided boxes.

I'm driving, so I can bring a lot more than flying. In fact I might bring a lot more if I can arrange for some inland diving like the missile silo.

 

[Esprise Me]

I'm driving, so I can bring a lot more than flying. In fact I might bring a lot more if I can arrange for some inland diving like the missile silo.

Are you interested in beach dives on the mainland?

 

[runsongas]

if you are driving from florida, a detour to puerto penasco south of the border should be considered. farnsworth banks is worth doing on a southern channel islands itinerary.

 

[Manatee Diver]

Are you interested in beach dives on the mainland?

Not opposed to it, but it would have to be pretty easy ones. Discounting caves/springs, I have exactly two shore dives on calm Gulf of Mexico days.

if you are driving from florida, a detour to puerto penasco south of the border should be considered. farnsworth banks is worth doing on a southern channel islands itinerary.

I'm not sure the border will be open by July. I am looking at dive sites along the route, but it seems like the missile silo dive in Texas is closed right now, so that leaves just panhandle caves.

 

[broncobowsher]

Some good options if you cruise up through San Diego as well.
I8 is usually better for traffic than I10 getting in and out of California.

 

[azstinger11]

Not opposed to it, but it would have to be pretty easy ones. Discounting caves/springs, I have exactly two shore dives on calm Gulf of Mexico days.



I'm not sure the border will be open by July. I am looking at dive sites along the route, but it seems like the missile silo dive in Texas is closed right now, so that leaves just panhandle caves.

Crossing the border by land isn’t hard, done it a few times since lockdown.

 

[elgoog]

If you're driving, San Diego is definitely worth the short detour for some great diving.
For the LA area, see if there are any oil rig dives scheduled - totally unique experience (assuming they're still letting people dive the rigs)

 

[azstinger11]

If you're driving, San Diego is definitely worth the short detour for some great diving.
For the LA area, see if there are any oil rig dives scheduled - totally unique experience (assuming they're still letting people dive the rigs)

They are still doing oil rig dives, i forgot about those they are a fun dive. The Yukon, Los Coronados, maybe NOSC tower, and deep point loma are fun dives here in San Diego (outside of some of our tech dives which are cool). I would skip shore diving here, I think La Jolla is mediocre at best. Orange, LA, and Ventura county have better shore diving imho.

 

[Manatee Diver]

Crossing the border by land isn’t hard, done it a few times since lockdown.

I was under the impression it was closed. Hmmm.... I would have to ask one of my friends in Phoenix to hold onto my guns to cross the border.

If you're driving, San Diego is definitely worth the short detour for some great diving.
For the LA area, see if there are any oil rig dives scheduled - totally unique experience (assuming they're still letting people dive the rigs)

Oil rig dives do sound intresting, I've seen videos on the Blue World.

They are still doing oil rig dives, i forgot about those they are a fun dive. The Yukon, Los Coronados, maybe NOSC tower, and deep point loma are fun dives here in San Diego (outside of some of our tech dives which are cool). I would skip shore diving here, I think La Jolla is mediocre at best. Orange, LA, and Ventura county have better shore diving imho.

Any interesting tech dives? I have a pair of HP100s with 18/33 that has been sitting for a couple of months. Thinking about seeing if I can convince someone about doing the Oriskany on the way. Another thing that caught my eye in the Lake Mead B-29 dive, though I would only want to do that as a tech dive, and it is confusing if it is or not.