How do I dive the kelp forest?

[SeaHound]

Hello -

Ever since I was a little kid, living in a far far land, I had wanted to dive the kelp forests in Catalina. I am no longer a kid and I am in USA so why not?

I would still be flying from the East Coast so I would like to do this trip when the ocean conditions and the vis is the best. Those who dive the kelp forests, what would be the best month to do this? I would love to hear any other suggestions you might have.

Also - I understand that if diving the kelp forests is the only thing that is bringing me there then staying in Catalina is not necessary and you can save $$$ by living on mainland! Correct? If that is the case are there any boat / dive operator recommendations?

Please ... any other suggestions, warnings, bad experiences??? Love to hear from you all.

Cheers -

S-H

 

[fnfalman]

Winter is the best time to go. The water is colder which makes the kelp healthy and thick. The water also tends to be calmer which makes for more pleasant diving condition. Since that the kelp is healthy and thick during the winter, it also keeps the water fairly clear.

And yes, stay on mainland and take dive boats out is a bit cheaper. However, staying on Catalina and enjoy the topside after the dive is also a wonderful idea.

 

[Ann Marie]

Especially when the hotel rates on Catalina are pretty good during the winter. If you stayed on the mainland and took the flier over, then your adding $50 or so dollars per day.

Whenever you do decide to come over, make sure you let us know. I know I for one would take you out diving.

 

[hbhobby]

my wife and I just got back from catalina and we went out with Scuba luv on the king neptune and we highly recommed it! we had a great experiance! it was my wife's first ocean dive and they took great care in taking us to the best dive sites they had to offer and the sites were in locations where we could do shallow or quite deep dives or anything in between. I also got a package through the atwater hotel and I thought it was a great deal!

 

[MaxBottomtime]

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[drbill]

You can experience the kelp forests of Catalina by taking dive boats from the mainland. Some even allow you to stay on board the night before, saving the expense of a hotel over there.

You can also take Scuba Luv's great King Neptune dive boat (generally 3-tank dive days) or CDS's dive boat (generally 2-tank days). And, of course, the option of shore diving Casino Point will give you plenty of fun and kelp for a weekend.

 

[fnfalman]

You can experience the kelp forests of Catalina by taking dive boats from the mainland. Some even allow you to stay on board the night before, saving the expense of a hotel over there.

Most of the dive boats would let you bunk overnight. So, yes, if you do two separate dive days with two separate boats, you can sleep on their boats the night before and save on the expenses. Not to mention don't have to worry about missing the boat the next morning.

For example, I'm diving with the Peace this Saturday and the Great Escape this Sunday. I will go down Friday afternoon, have dinner in Ventura and sleep on the Peace. Then after the dive on Saturday, I'd have dinner and then drive down to Long Beach and sleep on the Great Escape for Sunday dive.

 

[SeaHound]

Whenever you do decide to come over, make sure you let us know. I know I for one would take you out diving.

That would be awesome! Veteran locals who know the place are so much fun to dive with. I have made diving buddies in so many places and that adds so much to the over all dive experience. I am looking forward to this even more.

Cheers !

 

[SeaHound]

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Its a natural wonder! Makes me think why this place does not appear as a prime diving destination in dive magazines and websites as much as some other places. Just like you can dive a number of places for walls, corrals etc there are not many places that have this.

Awesome video dude!

 

[fisheater]

Its a natural wonder! Makes me think why this place does not appear as a prime diving destination in dive magazines and websites as much as some other places. Just like you can dive a number of places for walls, corrals etc there are not many places that have this.

Awesome video dude!

Because the water's "cold" and you need some extra skills. That eliminates a large percentage of those folks who've been "certified."