How do I dive the kelp forest?
- Thread starter SeaHound
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
Bio-prene, that's cute and not offensive, I have enough. Trust me. I'm not financially fortunate enough to afford a drysuit...most of my gear was bought used or through pro-deals... About a high cold tolerance, I don't really know about that. But when you are certified in 40-something degree water, everything else short of ice-diving is bathwater.
SPKelpDiver
Contributor
True that...
Mr Carcharodon
Contributor
Thanks so much for all this info. I am planning for winter months so it will be after September sometime. I think this will be the first winter I will actually be waiting forhe he
Late fall and early winter is a good time of year to go. During January through March many of the more exposed sites have too severe weather to dive. Although generally you can still dive the leeward side (generally southeast) of the islands although getting there may mean a rough ride out. But if the weather cooperates late winter can offer very good diving.
Catalina is the most popular destination to a degree because it is close to Los Angeles and there are things to do on the island itself. Trips out of Ventura and Santa Barbara can offer some great diving, but generally are a bit colder. Going to Anacapa for the sea lions is definitely an experience. And then there is San Diego, so there are lots of choices. diver.net has links to the southern California dive boats.
Generally boats in California expect you to bring all your own equipment including tanks and weights. And there will not be a divemaster in the water, so you are expected to take care of yourself. It was a bit of a surprise for me on my first trip to Hawaii when the DM wanted to set up my gear and then expected to be followed around (I was fairly mortified). Apparently California is a bit different in this respect.
fisheater
Contributor
There really is a culture shock when visiting divers go out on "our" boats.
What are kelp clips for?
fnfalman
Contributor
Generally speaking, when divers show up at the boats, they are ready to boogie. However, some boats do have equipment for rent. Some as simple as tanks and weights, and some would offer the whole shebang from top to bottom. It's best to look at the dive boats' home pages and see what equipment rental they offer. Or rent from an LDS but it is more convenient to rent tanks and weights from the boats that have those items for rent.
Divemasters to act as one's personal tour guide are also available for additional cost. Usually it's best to discuss the hiring of a personal dive master before the trip so that the boat or the LDS that charters the boat can bring an additional divemaster on board.
What are kelp clips for?
Can't see the picture (Red X) but if it's what I think it is then it's a clip that the kayakers might use to clip the boats to the kelps instead of using anchor weight. Divers just need to grab for a handful of kelps to help with safety stop or for a rest if exposed to heavy current.
robint
Contributor
Similar threads
