SoCal Options

[jmart64]

My wife and I are planning a trip to SoCal with some friends at the end of August. I was hoping to get some comparisons/opinions about San Diego (Coronados) vs. Catalina vs. Norther Channel Islands. We are leaning towards San Diego, but I would love to get some local input...

Thanks,

Joe

 

[promocop]

Short reply...PM me for more and I'll give you my phone number.

SD...too cold, but they got wrecks, some OK shore diving.

Ventura...Great outer islands, COLD, can be choppy, Cousteau loves it.

SOCAL...Numerous shore diving sites and CATALINA. You can dive the island in the AM and be back for dinner. Many, Many dive spots. Boats leave hourly. Local dive shops (ECO for one) have NUMEROUS boats going all over SOCAL (including Ventura)

 

[CompuDude]

Catalina probably offers the most consistently good conditions.

The Northern channel islands (anacapa, santa cruz, santa rosa, san miguel) offer more spectacular, more rugged diving, but conditions can be a little more variable.

San Diego has some good shore diving and great wrecks, but the conditions are just are variable as the northern islands, usually worse vis, though.

Good diving opportunities at all of them, so it depends on what you're looking for!

 

[fnfalman]

The Coronado Islands are in Mexican water, I believe. San Clemente is the other Channel Island down San Diego way, but it's not always accessible because the US Navy uses it for war games and exercises.

 

[Thresa]

I was wondering the same thing, as we will be in San Diego in early August. So the San Diego area would be colder than Catalina Islands? I had figured they would be about the same. Where are the most likely encounters with seals at this time of year if any?

 

[fnfalman]

There is a deep submarine canyon that runs really close to where the Ruby-E and Yukon wrecks are located and it brings in the cold water from the depth.

As far as seal encounter, that's primarily up in the San Fran Bay/Monterey/Santa Cruz area. Lots of harbor seals and sea otters up there. In all my dives in SoCal, I've yet to see a harbor seal.

Sea lions on the other hand, are more of a common site in SoCal and the greatest concentration is at Santa Barbara Island. However, there's a small rookerie at Anacapa Island as well.

 

[CompuDude]

I see harbor seals on a semi-regular basis, but we're talking glimpses of one or two, not full-blown interaction with groups. Full interaction only happens once per year, I'd guess.

So I wouldn't count on seeing harbor seals. It can happen and be a pleasant surprise, but it's not really something to count on.

For sea lions, Santa Barbara island and one spot on Anacapa are guaranteed interaction sites.

San Diego is usually a few degrees colder than sites in the LA/OC area, in my experience. Not a big deal as I usually dive dry, but worth mentioning to those diving wet.

 

[Teamcasa]

My wife and I are planning a trip to SoCal with some friends at the end of August. I was hoping to get some comparisons/opinions about San Diego (Coronados) vs. Catalina vs. Norther Channel Islands. We are leaning towards San Diego, but I would love to get some local input...

Thanks,

Joe

Click the link in my signature - we will have some other NorCal divers with us as well.

 

[scubadada]

From a very recent thread on the same topic, you should try the search, it's very useful, only the dates change.

If you're interested in diving in San Diego, I would suggest Marissa Dive Charters. For the period you've designated, they have an open trip to the Coronados on the 12th, an, as of yet, undesignted trip on the 13th, and a great advanced dive on the Hogan and Yukon on the 14th.

The 3 dive trip to the Coronados is not to be missed. It's an all day trip, 3 great dives, very leisurely, all the food you can eat, and great company. The Hogan/Yukon dive is fantastic if you're in the position to do it. Marissa is one of my favorite dive charters, Capts Carl and Anita are among my all time favorites.

Good diving, Craig

 

[Thresa]

For sea lions, Santa Barbara island and one spot on Anacapa are guaranteed interaction sites.

Are encounters very likely witih Sea lions around the Coronado islands? Most of the dive shops mention seeing the Sea Lions on the Coronado island trip. I'm just wondering if this is typical or a if you get reallly lucky sort of thing. Thanks for the advice and information.