Water clarity off Santa Catalina Island (east side)

[darsunt]

We recently checked out some snorkeling/diving spots near two harbors, and the water was extraordinarily clear. Right now it is December. Does water clarity vary greatly over the seasons? I believe someone mentioned that water clarity around catalina and the channel islands can change quite abruptly.
We hope to come back and do some free diving in the kelp beds in summer, but how will the visibility be at that time?

Thanks

 

[MalibuJerry]

Water clarity is better on average in the winter though that can vary with swell and rainfall.

 

[merxlin]

This year has been exceptionally clear. Late spring and summer usually sees the viz drop to 20ft avg.

 

[Bopper]

Water clarity is better on average in the winter though that can vary with swell and rainfall.

This year has been exceptionally clear. Late spring and summer usually sees the viz drop to 20ft avg.

From the few dive experiences I've had in the last 2 weeks it seems like the viz has gotten significantly worse in So Cal since late November. Anybody else have the same experience? (I'm not necessarily talking about Catalina but I'm thinking you can infer that conclusion from the general So Cal viz).

 

[darsunt]

We were kayaking and could see right to the bottom even on the edges of the kelp beds, where the sand is pretty deep. Like crystal.
We had not made any plans to go into the water this trip, because of the cold. I'm a bit regretful now. Also there were some Risso dolphins just circling around and around at the harbor entrance all day.
We will be back in summer, but I guess things won't be quite as beautiful.

 

[stevensamler]

We were kayaking and could see right to the bottom even on the edges of the kelp beds, where the sand is pretty deep. Like crystal.
We had not made any plans to go into the water this trip, because of the cold. I'm a bit regretful now. Also there were some Risso dolphins just circling around and around at the harbor entrance all day.
We will be back in summer, but I guess things won't be quite as beautiful.

Three weeks ago i dove casino pnt and at 90' out on the sand i watched my bubbles all the way to the surface.

 

[drbill]

Vis can be anything from 10 ft to 100+ ft out here depending on water conditions (including ocean temperature)... and the number of OW classes being held nearby. Feeding bat rays have the same effect.

I did a dive on Christmas and the vis was at least 60 ft. Beautiful.

 

[lamarpaulski]

Fall and early Winter can have epic viz.