Question re: day California SCUBA diving laws

[Decompressionable]

I'm heading to LA soon, and my wife wanted to get me a three-dive day out on Catalina Island. Only, she claims that the dive shop adds $25 per dive for people who aren't licensed to dive California waters. What's up with that? Could someone give me some details on that?

 

[kelpmermaid]

Frankly, I don't know what she means by "licensed to dive CA waters." That does not make sense. The only thing I can think of is that they want you to pay a DM to accompany you, particularly if you have not been in kelp before, but I've never heard of a per dive charge like that for non-CA divers. Perhaps you should check with the shop directly.

 

[Decompressionable]

btw: are all Catalina Island dives drysuit?

 

[paradicio]

I use my 5/7 wetsuit in Catalina all year long, as do many many others. You're going to love Catalina.

Considering how beautiful CA diving is, I could certainly see why we would charge an additional fee for the privilege of diving our waters, however to the best of my knowledge no such fee exists.

 

[ligersandtions]

You should probably contact which ever company it is that gave your wife that information. It doesn't really make sense, so maybe she misunderstood what they said. I don't know if you're going on a dive boat, in which case, it would make sense to for them to charge an extra fee for for a non-certified person to come along for the day. But if this is for a shore dive at the park, maybe the $25/dive is going toward a DM or something....have no idea.

BTW, most divers around here dive wet (7mm wetsuit plus a hood or hooded vest). Some people dive dry, especially those who go fairly deep for a long time multiple times a day, like on a dive boat.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

btw: are all Catalina Island dives drysuit?

The short answer is "No." 2 weeks ago, water temps at depth (60 - 90 fsw) at the Catalina Casino Point UW Park were 64 - 66 degrees F.
If you're diving a wetsuit at Catalina or in Southern California, I would recommend wearing at least a 7mm full wetsuit + booties + gloves + hood. Don't let anyone talk you into wearing anything less.
I have a drysuit, and it simply makes doing multiple dives (3-4) in one day more comfortable. I'm also more inclined to dive at night and/or when topside weather is cold/cloudy.
Have fun and dive safe.

P.S. BTW, that $25/day charge for non-CA divers is hilarious. I hope that the charge was just a "misunderstanding." I've never heard of anything like it.

 

[Nikolai]

Yeah I smell BS on this. Unless PADI's added a new "California Diver Specialty" I have no clue what the heck being "licensed to dive in California" means lol. But don't tip PADI to this otherwise they'll create it

I wouldn't spend a dime at a shop that tried that scam...

 

[Teamcasa]

I'm heading to LA soon, and my wife wanted to get me a three-dive day out on Catalina Island. Only, she claims that the dive shop adds $25 per dive for people who aren't licensed to dive California waters. What's up with that? Could someone give me some details on that?

There is no fee to dive California waters. Any additional may be for fishing but not diving.

The water temps are up right now, fine for a 7mm wetsuit, hood and gloves.

 

[DiverBizz]

Just throwing this out...could they have meant for a fishing lic.? Maybe thinking of lobsters? Just tossing it out there. BTW: I dive Catalina with a 7ml, hood, vest, booties and stay warm enough to complete all dives.

 

[merxlin]

Thanks for blowing my sweet scam guys......an extra $25 from out of staters was how I was gonna buy that new scooter.........