Taking first day trip to Catalina... What should I expect

[Tunaman68]

+1 for the mat! We took our tanks and lead the 1st time, but don't any more. If you stay at Welcome to Seaport Village Inn on Catalina Island they have a shuttle that will pick you up a the ferry, take you down to the park in the morning, pick you up and then take you back to the ferry. Not the Ritz, but an ok breakfast, and for Catalina it's not horribly expensive. Make sure to tip the scooter driver.

If the water is not to crowded with classes kicking up the silt, it's an awesome dive site with TONS to see. Do remember the Right in Left out thing on the stairs, and watch the tide/surge - the rocks can beat you up a bit if you don't time it right - or the surge can toss you quite a ways up the stairs too!! There is always Scuba Luv for rentals if the trailer is closed, but they are in town, so it's not as convenient!

We love Mi Casita for dinner (killer tortilla soup!)

Have a great time!

 

[TSandM]

I think the hours you were given for fills are for the fill station at Casino Point. There IS a dive shop within walking distance (I think it's called Scuba Luv). You can rent tanks there, and they were very nice about letting us use a cart to get them to the dive park. I don't know what their fill hours are, but they may be longer than the Casino Point station.

 

[drbill]

The fill station should still be open midweek and from 8:00 to 4:00. Much good advice above. I won't be divbing for the next four weeks, but if you see the "Dive Dry with Dr. Bill" golf cart down there at the park, feel free to stop and say hello and ask any questions.

 

[fnfalman]

At this time of the year, you really don't have to worry much about a bunch of students or a bunch of divers. I like to do my beginning of year and end of year dives at Casino Point.

 

[luckydays]

You can expect this! (shot Oct 6)...
https://vimeo.com/51075326

Awesome video. Thanks. Makes me want to go over today!

Take a mat!! You can pick one up at any of the local dive shops. It's nice to have something to stand on when you're putting your gear on, etc, since it's pavement. If the sun is beating down, it can get very warm on the feet.

Have my DAN mat and will make sure we bring it. I did not think about that but when I dived at the quarries in Chicago, I had it with me then.

+1 for the mat! We took our tanks and lead the 1st time, but don't any more. If you stay at Welcome to Seaport Village Inn on Catalina Island they have a shuttle that will pick you up a the ferry, take you down to the park in the morning, pick you up and then take you back to the ferry. Not the Ritz, but an ok breakfast, and for Catalina it's not horribly expensive. Make sure to tip the scooter driver.

just saw the seaport village site. Looks pretty good for the room and since the cost of the ferry ride over is included its pretty much an exceptional price. I think we are going to do the overnight trip. We have a boat in a local marina and want to get a vibe for Catalina before we go over on the boat so an overnight will help us get the lay of the land.

I think the hours you were given for fills are for the fill station at Casino Point. There IS a dive shop within walking distance (I think it's called Scuba Luv). You can rent tanks there, and they were very nice about letting us use a cart to get them to the dive park. I don't know what their fill hours are, but they may be longer than the Casino Point station.

I sent them an email yesterday since they have steel tanks (my preferred tank to dive).

The fill station should still be open midweek and from 8:00 to 4:00. Much good advice above. I won't be divbing for the next four weeks, but if you see the "Dive Dry with Dr. Bill" golf cart down there at the park, feel free to stop and say hello and ask any questions.

Bummer that you wont be diving then. I was told by BowlofPetunias that I needed to reach out to you when we finally made our way over. If I see you, I will surely stop by and say hi!

Thanks for the fill station info. i will send an email to that shop to see what next weeks hours will be.

At this time of the year, you really don't have to worry much about a bunch of students or a bunch of divers. I like to do my beginning of year and end of year dives at Casino Point.

I figured middle of the week and in Nov, we should be fine. Before moving to SoCal, my regular dive site was the local training dive site for nearly all divers in the north IL/IN area. I know all about zero vis and students.


Thanks again for all the info. I am looking forward to many dives at Casino Point next week and in the future and the information provided here will make my first trip all the better. I will be sure to pay it forward after we get through this trip.

 

[fnfalman]

Night dive since that you're going to stay over the night.

 

[luckydays]

Night dive since that you're going to stay over the night.

If I thought that I could get my fiancee on a night dive I would go for it but since its a new site for us and we will not have a guide, I am sure he will say no. Fortunately, its only an hour ride over so I am sure we will have many opportunities though to dive the park at night. And I cant wait!!

 

[fnfalman]

If I thought that I could get my fiancee on a night dive I would go for it but since its a new site for us and we will not have a guide, I am sure he will say no. Fortunately, its only an hour ride over so I am sure we will have many opportunities though to dive the park at night. And I cant wait!!

Night dive at Casino Point is about as easy as it can get. The Casino has lots of lights that you can see from under the water because viz at Casino Point tends to be really good (as long as the divers don't kick any silt up). You don't even have to go far from the steps. And if money is no object, you can always hire a guide.