Planning a December Cal trip

[trpplp]

Does anyone frequent any shops that boat dive during the week in Dec??? I have been doing a lot of research and so far I've been told by a couple shops they don't anticipate getting the 6 divers they require to be able to go out. I have also researched some of the live aboard boats and they are only going on Sat and Sun as well (Truthaquatics, the peace boat, spectra and 1 or 2 more). I guess I need to research some more shore diving if we are going to have something to do Mon-Friday.

 

[merxlin]

Sundiver Dive Boat Sundiver out of Long Beach runs a Weds and Friday boat most weeks (And of course weekends). Also Selky Charters Selky Charters also out of Long Beach runs a 6 pack and can take you anywhere from Santa Monica to Catalina. If you can get enough folks together, she'll run almost any day. Both supply tanks and weights, and can rent you gear.

 

[diversteve]

We have not done any cold water diving as of yet. We are up for both shore diving and boat diving. All of our diving has been Florida and Caribbean and I have been looking into dry suit for me because I get cold easy. I just haven't decided if I should go ahead and buy one or if I could rent one to see what they are like.

Don't start in a new drysuit in the Kelp. It's really easy to get tangled up in it if you're not careful. Rent someone to show you how it works. (or take a class) If you do get caught in the Kelp don't yank and slash at it with a knife - instead move slowly and carefully and reach down and break off the stalks that you're wrapped up in - it will go a lot better. I've known people who've had to remove their gear to get out of it so plan for that when considering your weighting - and drysuit bouyancy - that's more the extreme exception than the rule though. And you can usually stay below it. The boats will moor in clean water since they don't want to foul their props.

Another thing to know is that without specifically requesting - and paying for a DiveMaster - on all SoCal boats they stay on the boat. Unless there's an emergency.

boat dive during the week in Dec???

SanDiegoSidemount posted the most complete list I know of: California Dive Boats : The Official Page Many post their schedules on their websites but diving slows down in winter months off SoCal so there may not be as many weekday options. Oddly enough, although colder, the visibility is often better.

I guess I need to research some more shore diving if we are going to have something to do Mon-Friday.

I'm biased but you might consider including San Diego also. Traffic is better, there's diving in the Kelp off Point Loma, there's a Wreck Alley just off San Diego itself and some of the boats run mid-week trips.

You can do a lot of shore diving in San Diego also - we've gone out there on long weekends and only shore dove. La Jolla Cove is world famous, there's La Jolla Shores, the Marine Room, many other sites off La Jolla and slightly farther north. There's almost 20 shore dives in the greater San Diego area - most around La Jolla. Admittedly some of them are just different dives off the same entry point but I've done 3 dives off the Cove that were all different. They do a lot of training off La Jolla Shores also - simple beach entry. Parking at the Cove will be an issue so get there early - mid-week will be better.

Divebums - A San Diego Dive Website has most of the details.

Humbolt (Waterhouse Charters) out of San Diego is running day trips every Thursday and Friday in December. Except Dec. 26th.

You might consider flying into Long Beach or Orange County instead of LAX. Southwest Airlines from Hobby should go to one of them. Unless you plan to dive on one of the Santa Barbara boats then it probably makes more sense to start at LAX or maybe even Ontario. It can take several hours or longer to drive between Santa Barbara/Ventura and San Pedro/Long Beach so factor that into your plans. It's about 3-4 hrs. drive to San Diego from the L.A. area - again depending on traffic.

 

[tracydr]

My OWC was in a lake in Illinois with water temps around 58-62F and outside temps of 33F. I have an understanding of what the water will be like and the extreme differences between my certification dives versus what I have been recently logging. I have read a lot of concerns by California divers regarding people coming to dive off California's coast who's prior experience is mostly Caribbean. Is it because they weren't expecting the cold water and therefore didn't enjoy the diving? Is it because of Kelp forests and the major differences in environment? I am sure it will be a huge learning experience for us. Thanks for the advice on the wetsuits!

The surf can be rough,too.

 

[beepbird]

Also remember on the larger boats like the Spectre, you can forgo the hotel and sleep on the boat the night before. That's how we went directly from the 6 pk to the Spectre back to back.


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---------- Post added November 4th, 2013 at 03:07 PM ----------

The CDS fill station at the Catalina Casino Point closes at 4 pm on weekdays, so you have to be out of the water and return all your rental gear by 4 pm. You have to be a bit more creative in planning your dive day at the park if you want more than 2 or 3 dives. Otherwise you need to bring all your own gear over on the ferry.

 

[SoCalRich]

Get a decent room as high as possible and enjoy some of the other things SoCal has to offer as well. fishing, bike riding, hiking, golfing, and of course the food and beverages. This is 7mil or dry suit country around these here parts

In LA: I agree with Merxlin. Sundiver or Selky charters. Pacific Star in San Pedro is an option. And in San Diego try the dive boat "Marissa". Great crew.
SoCal has reefs, wrecks, kelp, oil rigs & islands. Bring a camera, for above & below the surface.
Good Divin
SoCalRich