Diving Catalina Island, Casino Point

[Submerged_Stories]

OK, I have a feeling this is a dive that many of you have done and have strong opinions on

There are a lot of experienced California divers on this board but I am from the east coast and so was super excited to see what Catalina Island is all about. It did not disappoint! I had a great time -- the kelp forests are incredible!

The video I wound up making is half dive site review and half a dive vlog. I was using a new GoPro 10 and so this was also a test of how the colors and stabilization came out. I still have so much to learn and am new to CA diving so would love your feedback! Next time need to find a Horn Shark

 

[Rob9876]

Nice video! Your finger was a bit close to that eel's mouth -- have you been bitten by one before?

 

[Submerged_Stories]

Nice video! Your finger was a bit close to that eel's mouth -- have you been bitten by one before?

Ha! That wasn't my finger -- 'twas the DM. I have not been bitten by an eel, even a small one like that, and am hoping to keep that 0 record in place. Have you had one nibble on you?

Thanks for the compliment. So glad you liked the video!

 

[Rob9876]

I have not been bitten by an eel, even a small one like that, and am hoping to keep that 0 record in place. Have you had one nibble on you?

No, I tend to keep my fingers a good distance away from their mouths -- I'm also hoping to maintain a 0 bite record!

 

[undrwater]

I liked the video and commentary. So good to see the kelp healthy.

Next time need to find a Horn Shark

Redondo beach is a good place to find them!

 

[quietlife4me]

I caught a Garibaldi off the Catalina pier as boy. Thought I was going to get a ticket from the fish police as I had been taught they where a protect state fish.

When you did this dive was it a package that included the ferry from Long Beach, pickup a tank and go? Or how did it work?

I’m new to scuba but not Catalina and one if these days I’ll be back to dive it.

 

[Submerged_Stories]

When you did this dive was it a package that included the ferry from Long Beach, pickup a tank and go? Or how did it work?

@quietlife4me I dove with the folks at Catalina Divers Supply. Really top notch shop and I highly recommend them. I rented all of my gear from them so I could travel light to LA (diving was not the core purpose of this trip). I booked my own ferry from Long Beach, not included, and got a hotel room. I did see divers who were making the trip out for the day doing just as you say, bringing gear, renting tanks, and then heading back on the ferry. But just seemed like a really long day! I preferred to take it a bit more leisurely.

I rented all of my gear from them so I could travel light to LA (diving was not the core purpose of this trip).

Redondo beach is a good place to find them!

@undrwater Amazing, thanks for the heads up! Will need to check it out!

 

[MaxBottomtime]

One correction. The state fish of California is the Golden Trout. The Garibaldi was named the state marine fish a few years ago, probably because everyone called it the state fish.

 

[ROUS]

I had some airline miles that were about to expire, so I used them to book a flight to LA. That flight isn't until this summer, so things can always change. But, right now, I'm hoping to spend a few days diving Catalina.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I’ve dived Socal many times but I still have not made it to Casino Point. It’s on my bucket list.