Sea of Cortez / Baja Trips Over Thanksgiving

[rakpix]

i am a diver from austin texas, looking for a short trip over thanksgiving this november. i was dissapointed to see the rocio del mar is booked up completely through the last half of november. i will be flying into san diego to visit family on thanksgiving day, but will be willing to drive down to the gulf of california for any charters, shops, or liveaboards departing afterwards. what dive sites are good this time of year? what has the best visibility, calmest currents? thanks.

 

[sunfishh]

Why not take a boat from San Diego to the Coronado Islands?

 

[Desert_Pirate]

I would stay in San Diego and hit wreck alley. but out of ensenada the Los todos are pretty good, and I have heard good things about the coronodo islands. however that being said, my favorite diving in that area was the Wrecks just off San Diego harbor....

 

[rakpix]

Why not take a boat from San Diego to the Coronado Islands?

wow, i'd never even heard of these. looks like great viz, too. how would you compare dive connections with any other dive ops in the area?

 

[Gunrock]

If you're only going to be here for a short time I wouldn't recommend diving in Mexico, outside of the Coronados. The Coronados are a little warmer than S.D., but further south the water is just as cold, or colder, than San Diego, so bring your drysuit, especially for that time of year. Instead of driving south to Ensenada consider going north to Ventura and hit the northern Channel Islands. Or even L.A. to Catalina, although the last time I dove Catalina there was sargassum everywhere, very sad to see.

You mentioned the Sea of Cortez, from here the closest diving I know of there is in Bahia de los Angeles, which is roughly a 10 hour drive. The water's in the 80s right now but that should change by November; when I went there over Thanksgiving I took my 7mm. With hood. (And it's not a drive you'd want to make alone, of course.) Bring your passport if driving to Mexico.

Dive Connections doesn't operate anymore. Any of the other operators out here are better anyway.

 

[rakpix]

Dive Connections doesn't operate anymore. Any of the other operators out here are better anyway.

like whom? i much prefer smaller boats (not six packs).

 

[mselenaous]

Try the Marissa, the Humbolt, or the Lois Ann. I know you like wrecks so check out Wreck Alley especially the Yukon (100 ft deep) and Ruby E (80-90 ft deep smaller covered in pink anemonea looks like a parade float) as well as the SoCal Kelp forrests. Warning, the Yukon dives were my record coldest dives ever @51 deg in May09 and Oct09. There is also some great shore diving in LaJolla. If you an extra day, take a ferry from Dana Point (just N of SD) to Avalon on Catalina and dive Casino Point Dive Park. If you do go to Casino Point, post something in the SoCal forum and you'll be surprised how many SBers come out to dive with you. You can preview dive both the Yukon and the Catalina Dive Park on www.divenav.com.

 

[rakpix]

Try the Marissa, the Humbolt, or the Lois Ann. I know you like wrecks so check out Wreck Alley especially the Yukon (100 ft deep) and Ruby E (80-90 ft deep smaller covered in pink anemonea looks like a parade float) as well as the SoCal Kelp forrests. Warning, the Yukon dives were my record coldest dives ever @51 deg in May09 and Oct09. There is also some great shore diving in LaJolla. If you an extra day, take a ferry from Dana Point (just N of SD) to Avalon on Catalina and dive Casino Point Dive Park. If you do go to Casino Point, post something in the SoCal forum and you'll be surprised how many SBers come out to dive with you. You can preview dive both the Yukon and the Catalina Dive Park on www.divenav.com.

sounds like a plan. one three tank boat dive to the coronados, one two tank boat dive to the yukon & ruby e, and two shore dives at casino point. i'm going to see if i can get a mod to move this thread into the SoCal forums. oh, and i'm pretty comfy in my 5/4mm down to about 48. at least for two dives.