Truth Aquatics - Channel Islands - who has done this trip as a single???

[ewaiea]

I'm planning my dive trips for 2011, looking like doing Palau in late 2011 (Oct/Nov, 2011). If it turns out I cannot do it - my "plan B" trip is the Channel Islands with Truth Aquatics. This is a different type of diving and the charter is different too.

They do not have dive guides in the water - only safety divers on the boat who only get in the water in emergencies. I don't have anyone to go with me on this trip - have any of you traveled as singles on this trip? Was it hard to pair up with people? Any input you have would be great. Keep in mind - I'm more the photo type and not the hunting type.

Also, I'm looking at doing this trip (if I go) in July/August - I'd probably be looking to use an 8-7 semi dry - I'm told this kind of suit is perfect for that environment - water temps are said to range from 65-70 degrees.

Any input would be much appreciated.

 

[Mossman]

You'll get more info on the local SoCal diving boards (here and elsewhere), I'd guess. In SoCal, this isn't really considered a liveaboard even though you technically do sleep on the boat.

Most likely there will be other "singles" on the boat to buddy with, but no guarantee. Adding yourself onto another (hopefully willing) buddy pair is an option, but not optimal. You might want to e-mail or call Truth to see how they handle orphaned divers.

Keep in mind that water temps are only that warm at the surface. You'll be seeing closer to 60 at depth, plus your wetsuit will compress, and you're looking at multiple dives throughout the day. While it's likely to be hot and sunny in the afternoons to warm you up, chilly morning fog can linger late and nights can be cold (though night diving can be excellent in the Channel Islands and shouldn't be missed). I'd be fine in the semi-dry but some dive dry out here even in summer. Don't forget a hood and gloves.

 

[imtoad]

Hi,
I live in L.A. and dive the Channel Islands once or twice a month year round. I have never been with Truth Aquatics but I have never had a problem finding people to dive with when I let the DM know that I needed a buddy. Most CA divers are very friendly and happy to have you join them.

That said, I'd be happy to dive with you (at least on the weekends) although I usually dive on the "Peace Dive Boat" because I love the crew and feel well taken care of. I don't have a regular buddy and I too like to photograph and when I'm not taking photos, I still prefer to go slowly and see all of the great creatures.

The Channel Islands are AMAZING! and each is different. I actually missed the kelp when I went to Papua New Guinea!
While I was learning, I used a 7ml w/ a hooded 3ml vest. I eventually bought a drysuit on e-bay and have been very happy. I have a like-new size 10 Excel wetsuit w/hooded vest that you are welcome to borrow since I never use it anymore.

I will have to check my computer but I can't recall the water ever getting up to 70! I have mostly been diving the outer islands this year which tend to be cooler than Catalina but I'd say figure about 55-65. There are people in wetsuits year round here but I wouldn't recommend trying it.

Have a great trip wherever you go. PM me if you decide to come here and want a buddy and/or the wetsuit.
Take care, Hilary

 

[imtoad]

Hi again,
I checked my computer and my dives have ranged from 51 to 61 degrees. I don't do much diving below 50 ft. so that's probably not the coolest end of the range if you're into deeper diving.

There are dive shops here that rent drysuits if you feel the need.

I second what Mossman said about these boats not being what you might think of as "liveaboards". There are dormitory style bunks with curtains and shared facilities.

In terms of typical schedules, when "Peace" does multiple day outer island trips, divers arrive between 8 and 11pm for midnight,2, or 4a.m.departures.There are often specific Islands targeted but you won't find out until you board if the weather permits the boat to even try to get to them. I have made it to San Miguel on 2 of 6 tries! Actual diving schedule varies according to which group has chartered the boat. Last weekend we did 6 dives plus a night dive on Sat. and 4 dives on Sunday before heading home. Sometimes group dynamics or weather problems affect the number of dives as they sometimes have to move around a lot to find us the best (or even decent) conditions. I don't remember ever having seen a trip that was more than three days.

If you have more questions, PM me and I'll we can talk

 

[wader]

My wife and I went over Thanksgiving last year on the Vision for 3 days. Great trip, well taken care of. There were several single divers on that trip, and pairing wasn't a problem. One dive we did a 3-some. Also, some couple divers, one may want to take a break and pick up a single. Most of our dives were between 30-50 feet closer to shore because of weather. We dove a 7 mm with a hood, but we did not need gloves. To each his own, of course, on cold water.

 

[Mossman]

Except for the few places that ban them, gloves are always a good idea. Not for the cold, but to prevent getting stung by the various critters, some nearly invisible, that tote nematocysts. Besides, it's not a coral reef where you don't want to touch anything for fear of damaging fragile life. Often it's handy to hold onto rocky reef, an anchor line, or maybe a current line at the surface, and gloves help prevent the cuts and scrapes that can easily occur when human skin is soaked in saline for an hour or so. Since most warm-water destinations ban them now, I wear my formerly "warm water" gloves in the not-so-cold local waters. Thick neoprene gloves, though warmer to be sure, are a PITA when dealing with bolt snaps and such.