So as a last minute trip I booked my spot on the Island Time dive boat with Eco Dive Centre. 3 dives with 2 deep and one shallow, destinations listed front of Catalina Island.
Boarded the boat at 6 am, greeted by a good crew and a continental style breakfast. We headed out at just after 7am with a full boat, 22 divers including 5 tec guys. Was a little crowded considering the size of the boat but a comfortable journey none the less.
Also found out while heading to Catalina that this boat would be going to one of the premiere dive sites in the area, namely Farnsworth Banks on the backside of the island. We hit the island in 2 hours from Long Beach and another 30 mins to round the back and anchor up. Swell was running a tad big on the unprotected side and I for the first time in my life was very sea sick. Cross currents were running and a current line was tossed out. Giant stride with me and my buddy and we navigated to the anchor line, skipper said anchor was sitting at 65ft on the top of the pinnacle.
Descended, noticed great viz, loads of Jelly fish. Slowly the pinnacle that is Farnsworth came into view and it is breath taking! I can only say its like a cathedral underwater. Checked my SPG and we were at 110ft, the bottom sitting at about 130ft. Purple hydro coral abounded, cowries, scorpion fish and a ton of other marine life really over whelmed the senses. I was burning through air though, half sea sickness half anxiety at the hype of diving a spot like this. I signaled my buddy and we headed back to the anchor line. I was disapointed in my terrible air consumption but an amazing spot I will definitely be diving again and will say this to anyone who gets a chance to dive here to go for it. Bring your 120's and Nitrox and have fun!
Next spot was little Farnsworth, a smaller shallower version of its bigger brother on the front side of the island. This was the highlight of the trip for me, shallower depth meant better time under water and calmer conditions made me feel less ill. Marine life here was off the hook, I counted more Nudi's than I have ever seen, Black Sea bass, yellow and white Zoanthid Anenomes, sea fans, sponges... in short Macro heaven!! I managed a few pics with my new camera setup but nothing amazing. Definitely one to dive over and over and see something new every time, I will be seeking out charters to this spot in future.
3rd dive spot was very shallow and a little dull in relation to the others, I did however get to see my first Morey which made this spot for me. Otherwise we got bored and headed back to the boat for the journey home.
Great crew, ok food, good crowd on the boat made an awesome dive for Labor Day Weekend!
Couple of pics... Still getting the hang of this underwater photo stuff, backscatter is a real pain!
Boarded the boat at 6 am, greeted by a good crew and a continental style breakfast. We headed out at just after 7am with a full boat, 22 divers including 5 tec guys. Was a little crowded considering the size of the boat but a comfortable journey none the less.
Also found out while heading to Catalina that this boat would be going to one of the premiere dive sites in the area, namely Farnsworth Banks on the backside of the island. We hit the island in 2 hours from Long Beach and another 30 mins to round the back and anchor up. Swell was running a tad big on the unprotected side and I for the first time in my life was very sea sick. Cross currents were running and a current line was tossed out. Giant stride with me and my buddy and we navigated to the anchor line, skipper said anchor was sitting at 65ft on the top of the pinnacle.
Descended, noticed great viz, loads of Jelly fish. Slowly the pinnacle that is Farnsworth came into view and it is breath taking! I can only say its like a cathedral underwater. Checked my SPG and we were at 110ft, the bottom sitting at about 130ft. Purple hydro coral abounded, cowries, scorpion fish and a ton of other marine life really over whelmed the senses. I was burning through air though, half sea sickness half anxiety at the hype of diving a spot like this. I signaled my buddy and we headed back to the anchor line. I was disapointed in my terrible air consumption but an amazing spot I will definitely be diving again and will say this to anyone who gets a chance to dive here to go for it. Bring your 120's and Nitrox and have fun!
Next spot was little Farnsworth, a smaller shallower version of its bigger brother on the front side of the island. This was the highlight of the trip for me, shallower depth meant better time under water and calmer conditions made me feel less ill. Marine life here was off the hook, I counted more Nudi's than I have ever seen, Black Sea bass, yellow and white Zoanthid Anenomes, sea fans, sponges... in short Macro heaven!! I managed a few pics with my new camera setup but nothing amazing. Definitely one to dive over and over and see something new every time, I will be seeking out charters to this spot in future.
3rd dive spot was very shallow and a little dull in relation to the others, I did however get to see my first Morey which made this spot for me. Otherwise we got bored and headed back to the boat for the journey home.
Great crew, ok food, good crowd on the boat made an awesome dive for Labor Day Weekend!
Couple of pics... Still getting the hang of this underwater photo stuff, backscatter is a real pain!
