Single Day Catalina Diving Trip

[LAJim]

Many of the dive boats go at 8 to 12 knots so you are looking at 2 to 2.5 hours each way. The Catalina Express is very much faster and a good bit larger than most of the dive boats. Anyone who likes cute shops and hanging out by the beach will like Avalon.

Jim

 

[Boat Chick]

Thanks! I've been to Avalon at least 15 times (my family friends have a sail boat so we use to go a lot).

I'm interested in going for the diving, but my g/f has never been to Avalon so she might like to shop and eat on the island. My g/f isn't as die hard as I am about diving so come to think of it, I think she'd prefer to do 2-3 dives and spend the rest of the time checking out Avalon. We can use the bag storage for our shopping afterwards.

As far as the actual shore diving, where would you recommend we change into our dive gear, where do we leave our surface clothes, etc. I don't know that I trust leaving my clothes (with my wallet, car keys, etc.) randomly on the shore or beach.

Thanks for the advice, it's invaluable thus far!

Sounds like a day of fun to me We usually take a dry case and put the ID's, CC's, money, etc. in that and then in our BC pocket. We take one of those blue plastic tarp thingies (don't know the technical word for it) and lay it down to put all our gear on. Gear up right there at the point, dive, drag everything to the showers, shower, drag everything to the storage area. We've never had a problem leaving our dive bags and clothes at the point while diving

 

[blinkswiler]

I have a few pictures of the Avalon Casino Point Dive Park I use for our classes. Unfortunately it is too large to upload. Send me your email address and I'll be glad to forward independently.

blinksiwler@hotmail.com

 

[BrianV]

Sounds like a day of fun to me We usually take a dry case and put the ID's, CC's, money, etc. in that and then in our BC pocket. We take one of those blue plastic tarp thingies (don't know the technical word for it) and lay it down to put all our gear on. Gear up right there at the point, dive, drag everything to the showers, shower, drag everything to the storage area. We've never had a problem leaving our dive bags and clothes at the point while diving

Sounds good, yeah if someone steals my sandals, shorts, and tshirt I won't lose any sleep over it. That said, going back to one of the earlier replies, we can walk from the Catalina Express slip to Scubaluv. Both of our dive bags have wheels on them and since we don't have tanks or weights it shouldn't be too hard to carry/drag/roll. How long of a walk is it from the slip to Scubaluv. We'll rent tanks and weights from Scubaluv and then either walk or rent a cart (what's the cart cost and is there a good place to park the cart once near the entry point?)

Do you guys leave your spare tank(s) on the tarp as well? I would think leaving them out in direct sunlight for that long would be a bad idea, not to mention the possible theft.

Thanks!

 

[Mo2vation]

...We take one of those blue plastic tarp thingies (don't know the technical word for it) and lay it down to put all our gear on...

The BPTT. Brilliant.

Be wise. Lock up your computer, light, wallet, watch or anything else that is small and high in value in the lockers. Everything else can chill in the sun. Been doing it for years and years without a problem.


---
Ken

 

[LAJim]

There is a fill station right at the park. You only want one tank per diver. Also there are coin-operated lockers to keep your valuables. While theft is probably not zero at the park it would be amusing to think of a thief trying to get on the Express with someone else's gear.

Jim

 

[BrianV]

Ok, so regarding getting from Express to ScubaLuv to the dive area?

 

[LAJim]

15 minute walk with Scuba Luv being near the half-way point. I don't know if they will give you a ride the second half since you will be carrying their tanks and weights at that point. The other dive operation on the pier will rent you a hand cart for $10. Call Scub Luv and get the word from them. If all your other stuff is on wheels it will work OK. With a lot of gear it can get unfun by the end unless your spine has the titanium upgrades. You can also arrange to be carried over by a little taxi cart thingie for about $10 more or less.

Jim

 

[vistasbelow]

There are lockers at the dive park for .75 cents, you just put 3 quarters in and take your key out. you have to put in 3 quarters every time you open the lockers. There is a dive shop right on the site so you can get change there, you can also rent tanks and weight belts for $15 or if you want to travel light you can rent the full set of geer for the whole day for $50.

that time of the year the water will be warm and clear, you will have a great time. I guide is a good idea if you want to see the best of the park without trying to find the good spots on your own.

There is also another dive boat in town not previously listed. it is the Scuba Cat operated by Catalina Divers Supply, the dive shop is right in the middle of the green pier in the middle of town. it is 46' dive boat it is fast and they know the good dive sites. a two tank dive will leave at 9 am and be back to town by about 2:30 leaving time to tour the town.

 

[BrianV]

Thanks, I think we're going to stick to the Casino Point dive site. I'll have to make a decision regarding the taxi thing.

Can we get a taxi cart ride from ScubaLuv to the dive site, and a return ride back to ScubaLuv? I think we can walk to ScubaLuv from the boat slip since our bags will only weigh maybe 10 lbs.