One day to dive near LA - Need advice

[divingjd]

I have a business trip to LA coming up and have one day available to dive on Saturday, July 22. I will be by myself. I am looking for advice on where to go. I am an experienced diver and dive dry in the Great Lakes. I am planning to bring my gear with me, so I will only need to rent tanks and weights. I've done a little diving on the West Coast on previous business trips, one day shore diving in Vancouver and two day trips to Anacapa and Santa Cruz. One of those was on a boat out of Oxnard that is no longer in business. The other was on the Raptor.

I am staying in Torrance during the week. I could stay in that area for the weekend or head up to Ventura. Monterey would be nice, but it's just too far to fit in my schedule. I've done some research in this forum, on California Diving News, and the California dive boats page. It looks like a lot of popular boats are doing multi-day trips or are booked for July 22. The two that seem to be available are the Raptor and the Spectre. I had a pretty good trip on the Raptor before and would be willing to do it again.

Anybody have any thoughts on the Raptor or the Spectre or any other suggestions for a day trip? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Mystaadam]

Personally, I prefer the Spectre. Better lunch and a reliable crew. They don't always visit the most challenging of sites but always a well rounded production.

Only thing is if you're staying in South Bay area, that's a bit of a drive for you, especially on one day. I'd say you're better off taking the Catalina Express to the Catalina island and doing some dives at Casino Point. Less of a commute for you and still some solid diving.

 

[divingjd]

Thanks for the advice. I was actually thinking of driving up to Ventura on Friday afternoon/evening and staying there Friday and Saturday night. I have a flight out of LAX at 11:30 Sunday. I was just looking at the Catalina express schedule and I am not sure how well that would work for me. I tend to feel a little more comfortable when I have more control over the travel schedule, so I feel better about driving than taking a ferry. I can always adjust my departure time to fit the rest of the schedule.

 

[Mystaadam]

Duly noted. Then yea, I'd say give the Spectre a shot. Gone out at least 5 different trips on the boat and I've never had a bad dive with them.

If you're staying in ventura for an evening and enjoy beer, I'd also suggest checking out some of their breweries. They have some nice laid back options. MadeWest and Surf Brew are my personal favorites but there's a decent amount of selection for all palates.

 

[divingjd]

Thanks for the bonus recommendation on the breweries! I do enjoy beer and always like to sample local products l.

 

[dwaters]

I'll second the vote for Spectre. You can even spend the night on board the night before if you wish. Contact them for the details and tank/weight rentals. Also let them know you're joining as a single. Normally it is easy to find a dive partner on the boat but the dive masters can help if you wish. Remember that the West Coast boats do not put a dive master in the water with you and it you wish to have one that is extra and needs to be scheduled in advance. Enjoy.

 

[Akimbo]

I always liked diving at the Channel Islands more than Catalina or San Clemente Islands. Good choice.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

There are a lot of boats out of San Pedro and Long Beach as well that have day trips. Only those boats that advertise in California Diving News are listed in the schedule. There are also a lot of shore diving sites between Malibu and Laguna Beach.
California Dive Boats : The Official Page

 

[divingjd]

I'll second the vote for Spectre. You can even spend the night on board the night before if you wish. Contact them for the details and tank/weight rentals. Also let them know you're joining as a single. Normally it is easy to find a dive partner on the boat but the dive masters can help if you wish. Remember that the West Coast boats do not put a dive master in the water with you and it you wish to have one that is extra and needs to be scheduled in advance. Enjoy.

Thanks. I am aware of DM practices and I am used to diving without a guide. No such thing in the Great Lakes, either, but we are usually moored to a wreck.

 

[divingjd]

I always liked diving at the Channel Islands more than Catalina or San Clemente Islands. Good choice.

Thanks. This is helpful feedback. I have enjoyed my dives at Anacapa and Santa Cruz, but that's all I've done in the area.