General questions re: Catalin dives

[Decompressionable]

hey everyone

Got a couple easy questions about diving on Catalina.

1. What is the best dive shop that runs full day dives (three dives) on Catalina?
2. What is the best spot to dive on Catalina?

Thanks everyone. TMG

 

[merxlin]

Be prepared for a ton of answers when you ask "which is best"! I'd look at the Catalina Sticky for most of the info you want. http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/socal/231885-updated-great-catalina-island-info-sticky-thread.html

As far as dive spots it depends on what you are looking for. Also, the locations are typically dictated by the conditions (viz and current, wind) and the captain's idea of what is best. This can be swayed by how many students/classes are on board, tech guys wanting deep areas. Many times you don't know until you get there where specifically you will be diving.

 

[dpbishop]

What Mike said. But, if you can get a boat going to Ship Rock, do it!!

 

[fnfalman]

What's the best spot to dive at Catalina? Other than Farnsworth? My favorite is Bird Rock. It has the thickest kelp forest I've ever seen!!! Not to mention that somehow the corrugated hose popped off my BC's air wing and filled that mutha up with water and I had to ditch my weights and got towed back to the boat by the divemaster.

 

[merxlin]

What's the best spot to dive at Catalina? Other than Farnsworth? My favorite is Bird Rock. It has the thickest kelp forest I've ever seen!!! Not to mention that somehow the corrugated hose popped off my BC's air wing and filled that mutha up with water and I had to ditch my weights and got towed back to the boat by the divemaster.

ahhhh....good times!

I like Isthmus Reef, Eagle Reef, Empire and a spot on the backside called Pinnacles. You'll also find that some of the in-between spots (and even some of the named spots) are called different names by different captains.

 

[JMdiver]

Arrow Pt. is one of my favorites.

John