Favorite Boat and Trip??

[runway1]

Would like to get feedback on your favorite dive boats and favorite dive trips out of the Long Beach/San Pedro area. NOTE: I know Truth Aquatics is awesome and many excellent San Diego operations as well (Lois Ann/Marissa) but would like to keep this thread on the Long Beach/San Pedro operations.

How's the Great Escape, Sundiver, Magician, Sand Dollar, etc., etc. Would like to here about these aspects:
--Price vs. experience
--Service including quality of dive briefs and knowledge of the dive itself
--Too crowded or appropriate?
--Ingress/egress from water
--"Open boat" vs. LDS "dive charter" - how do you feel about that?

Vent! Good and bad - vent away and thanks for your inputs!

 

[robint]

we have only used Great Escape (one 2-day trip last year, using them again in Aug for 2 days).
Loved - big boat, roomy, lots of yummy food and sodas/coffee all included in price, fun group, good price, sleep on boat, staterooms are nice for couples. Full boat of 30 divers doesn't feel too crowded, even at mealtime. Capt picks good dive sites. Fast fills. Easy entry and exit from water, DM on deck in back to remove your fins and take your camera.

hated - only 2 bathrooms and so at times there was a line as some people decided to take 10 minute showers and change clothes in them. Very annoying.

(my comparison is based on our use of other Calif boats - Peace and Spectre up in Ventura harbor.)

robin

 

[runway1]

Thanks, robint. Some great tips. I think I'd like to try the Great Escape for a Farnsworth Bank dive.

 

[dschref1]

Magician is a spacious and comfortable boat. Easy in and out of water. Fast fills. Mikey (galley and general hand) is the best!

Sand Dollar, Captain and Crew are Awesome! Boat is good and functional. They provide tanks and weights, and have Nitrox.

I'd dive both again. Even though Magician is a better boat, I prefer Sand Dollar because the crew is so great.