Kelp Diving Only One Day a Week?

[d4jaj1]

Hello,

I'm planning a trip to LA and would like to dive the kelp at Catalina Island. Due to meetings and flight schedule, I can only dive on Saturday 7/9. My problem is the dive shops I looked at from Google only do a single dive a week - on Sunday.

First of all, how does a dive shop stay in business with only a single dive a week (I'm clearly spoiled by Florida/Caribbean diving)?? Is there a particular reason these shops only dive on Sunday (like government regulations)?

Lastly, can any one recommend/know of an outfit that is scheduled to visit Catalina Islands on July 9th?

Thanks

 

[surfinusa555]

California Diving News - Dive Trips - Directory

 

[fisheater]

Something wrong with your Google search.

On-island dive boats operate each day. Plus, there's on-island shore diving each day.

Dive boats from L.A. operate weekends and many weekdays.

If you don't have cold water, kelp and low vis experience, I STRONGLY recommend that you hire your own DM or take a specialty class from an instructor. Otherwise, you'll be pretty much on your own. Calif. boat DMs stay on board unless someone's in trouble.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[blue steal]

Hey d4jaj1. there are a few of us going out on Saturday, July 9 to Catalina. We will be using a charter boat out of San Pedro at 22nd Street. ample and free parking. We will be using the vessel The Great Escape, 3 tank dive, breakfast, snacks, lunch, snacks, drinks, and air included. there are plenty of bunks and you can spend the night before aboard if needed. If you need any rental gear there is a large dive shop about 1 mile away. You will enjoy diving the kelp forest.

 

[robertarak]

Hi d4jaj1,

You don't have to dive from a boat to enjoy the beautiful kelp of Catalina. Catalina has a fantastic dive park. It is where we do all of our OW and AOW classes. It is east entry/exit, has on-site rentals and air fills and is just a great place to dive.

more information here:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/socal/231885-updated-great-catalina-island-info-sticky-thread.html

 

[galleywench]

Hey check out Dive Boat Sundiver for our schedule or call me 1 800 555 9446 we go out every wed fri sat and sun plus you can hire a Dm from us too for a personal touch and a great guide too

Divemaster Jules

 

[dwaters]

I agree with all above...here is a link to most of the charters in California: California Dive Boats : The Official Page
There are charters every Saturday and Sunday and that time of year many during the week. And as others stated, Avalon dive park is a great place for new SoCal divers to explore...heck I've dove there 30+ times and still love it. Remind us when the time comes close and I'm sure you will find at least one of us sharing the water that day.

 

[blue steal]

Good advice from all. Let us know what your preference would be, either the Catalina express to Avalon and dive the park, or use of one of the charter boats. Then we would be more than happy to give you some tips to make your journey and dive a good one.

 

[d4jaj1]

Thanks for the responses all, I was just able to confirm my reservations yesterday. I'm somewhat surprised DM aren't part of the rates posted on many of these sites; this doesn't seem geared towards tourists as much as locals. No matter, I'll go with the flow.

A few questions though:

1. Kelp diving in July - is this Dry Suit only or 7mm wet suit? I am not dry Suit certified.
2. I'd I'll have a car, but I'd prefer a trip where I from to a local LA area marina and take the boat to Catalina for the day - as opposed to getting to Catalina on my own and diving from there. I took a look at the Sun Diver link above, but there aren't any trips on the 9th.

 

[d4jaj1]

Left off my 3rd question:

What if you don't hire your own DM, you are just on your own?? The fees paid are literally just for ferrying to to the dive spot, there's no overall DM that takes the group?