Diving while on a cruise to Ensenada?

[SnakeRiverPirate]

This July, my wife and her whole family are going on a cruise from LA to Ensenada. I am wondering about my ability to sneak in a salt water dive while on the trip. The line offers a snorkeling trip on Catalina island. but compressed air is my drug of choice. Any input is appreciated. BTW, We're sailing royal caribbean.

 

[Beachlover]

This July, my wife and her whole family are going on a cruise from LA to Ensenada. I am wondering about my ability to sneak in a salt water dive while on the trip. The line offers a snorkeling trip on Catalina island. but compressed air is my drug of choice. Any input is appreciated. BTW, We're sailing royal caribbean.

You can rent scuba gear on Catalina and dive at the Casino Point dive park.This is, of course, if you have enough time to go ashore,rent gear,etc. Good luck!

 

[dwaters]

If given choices, the diving @ Catalina will be a whole lot better for a short day trip. Any diving worth looking at in Ensenda will be a two hour round trip taxi trip... can be done if you want to do one dive and rush back before the boat leaves and rent in Mexico. While on the other hand Casino Point dive park is a 15 min. walk from dock and choices of two ops to rent from...
check out >>> http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/socal/231885-updated-great-catalina-island-info-sticky-thread.html <<< for more input.... and if you let us locals know what day you can dive
there, I'm sure one or more of us will gladly show 'ya around. Enjoy and have fun on your short cruise.

 

[HBDiveGirl]

I'll second what Dwaters said!

July is a lovely time to scuba dive at Casino Point.

Post your dates and there will very likely be SB divers there on any given July weekend. The surface water will have warmed to the mid 60s, but a 7mm suit is still the best for diving as the thermocline can be several degrees colder.

The cruise boat shuttle will drop you at The Mole. Dozens of mini-van taxis await but if you're not carrying gear you can easily walk to the dive shops. The stores might pick you up at The Mole.. doesn't hurt to ask!

There are two dive shops:
Catalina Diver Supply has a store on The Green Pier in town, and runs the fill station and gear rental station at the actual Casino Point dive Park.
ScubaLuv has a store in town and rents gear from there.

Plan on diving air as the depths are modest: 100 max and the best parts are all above 85fsw. (Scuba Luv fills nitrox, but can be slow. The Dive park fill station does only air.)

The park looks small when you walk up to it, but it takes 3 or 4 long dives to explore all the cool areas underwater.

Go for it! Demand compressed air time!! :-D

I hope it fits into the day's schedule. The kelp forest and fish are absolutely wonderful.

~~~~
Claudette

 

[Papa_Bear]

Catalina is your only chance! Nothing in Ensenada except La Buffa Dora and logistics might be challenging for that one! You will have most of the day at Catalina and you can get equipment in a couple locations and it is a pretty dive!

 

[Jim Ernst]

Papa Bear said it all.

My GF and I did this cruise and it is what made us the divers we are today, As we went snorkeling for my (Not her) very first time and came home and became divers.

You will have all day on Catalina and can get all of your gear as soon as you walk off of the boat , And go and dive Casino Point!!

You wont be sorry...!

Have a great time/cruise

 

[mselenaous]

Plenty of info on Catalina in above threads. If you are determined to dive in Ensenada, contact Ricardo at Almar Dive Shop located on Macheros #149-1 Zona Centro in Ensenada (2 few blocks - walking or short taxi ride - from Cruiseport where all the cruiseships dock).
almardive@hotmail.com +52 (646-178-3013) . The Almar folks are very customer oriented and concientious well-trained facility meeting ANDI Safe Air standards. The dive shop at La Bufadora is smaller and less credentialed but close to the dive sites with frequently scheduled dive trips on skiffs.

I would cast my vote for Catalina.

Have a blast on your Cruise.

 

[suedownunder1]

This July, my wife and her whole family are going on a cruise from LA to Ensenada. I am wondering about my ability to sneak in a salt water dive while on the trip. The line offers a snorkeling trip on Catalina island. but compressed air is my drug of choice. Any input is appreciated. BTW, We're sailing royal caribbean.

There is a Dive shop right on the pier. Some of my best Dives were at Catalina great kelp beds,with lots of game fish Diving is best in winter when there is no plaktom bloom with vis around 50 to 60 feet water temp on the cool side 55 to 60.

 

[SnakeRiverPirate]

Thanks to all for the input. Catalina it is!

 

[EnsenadaDive]

bajabluediver.com offers scuba diving in ensenada in the kelp forests, and offers transportation from and to the cruise ship terminal!