How good is Catalina?

[cagreenguy]

I am new to the SCUBA world and have been skindiving the channel islands my whole life. How does diving Catalina match up with the rest of the world? I am planning my next trip, but not sure how good my backyard is.

Thanks

 

[merxlin]

I am new to the SCUBA world and have been skindiving the channel islands my whole life. How does diving Catalina match up with the rest of the world? I am planning my next trip, but not sure how good my backyard is.

Thanks

It is not tropical diving- you won't see the vast variety of colorful fishes and corals that you do in warm water. For cold water diving it is spectacular. And you are not limited to Catalina- the rest of the Channel Islands offer world class diving and are within a couple hour drive and boat rides. When it's sunny, and the kelp is up, it can be magical.

 

[Rainer]

I am new to the SCUBA world and have been skindiving the channel islands my whole life. How does diving Catalina match up with the rest of the world? I am planning my next trip, but not sure how good my backyard is.

I think the diving off Catalina is excellent. Maybe some videos would help illustrate why.

[vimeo]12352787[/vimeo]

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[vimeo]7030794[/vimeo]

 

[Rainer]

And you are not limited to Catalina- the rest of the Channel Islands offer world class diving and are within a couple hour drive and boat rides. When it's sunny, and the kelp is up, it can be magical.

Indeed. I've only been to four of the Channel Islands so far, but each trip has been special.

Some videos from Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands:

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[GrumpyOldGuy]

Its pretty dam good!

Due to the number of dive sites on the lee side of the island, diving is decent most of the time and aquatic life is abundant. Outside of exotic tropical locals, it is hard to beat.

 

[fnfalman]

Catalina is a big island with dozens of dive sites, of which many have different topography and animal concentrations. I dig it.

 

[=C=]

It's okay. I started there too. Check out Hawaii and the Keys, then Mexico, then the red sea, then Australia, then Thailand, then the galapagos. 123 go!

 

[JKPAO]

I am new to the SCUBA world and have been skindiving the channel islands my whole life. How does diving Catalina match up with the rest of the world? I am planning my next trip, but not sure how good my backyard is.

Thanks

I still smile when I think of the Catalina dives I have done!:
See you topside! John

 

[Teamcasa]

Catalina has excellent, world class diving.
Sure, it's not like diving in warm water but with the proper gear you will want to keep coming back for more.

 

[mselenaous]

+7...
what they said. Truly awesome diving with so much to see.
Rainer thanks for the videos. They make me homesick for the Catalina Kelp Forrests...and my SoCal dive pals.
Dave was that me in the back corner for a moment?