We want to dive Catalina - Help!

[saintsfan]

and why wasnt I invited out to dinner with you guys .we ended up heading back that night instead on sunday morning,it was pretty rough after the wind picked up and it took us 3 hrs to make the crossing anyway I enjoyed meeting you guys.

I dove at Casino point on Saturday and wore a 7mm suit and it was perfect. Vis was excellent and as far as the Catalina express....I had no problems and checked my gear w/ integrated weights and the crew was helpful and friendly. Fair was 43.50 r/t and if you're diving Casino point make shure you have your gear trucked from the boat to the point for the 8$ r/t its worth it. It's a stakebed toyota or chevy truck. Enjoy!

 

[Nay]

My wife and I want to dive at Catalina on July 22nd and 23rd.
We have no interest in a boat dive. But would need a one night hotel stay, air fills, and transportation all around.

We stayed at the Atwater. Small rooms, no A/C and quite a bit of noise from the streets at night but it's good for what you need it for, very diver friendly and they'll send your stuff back to the terminal for free.

We want to bring our own steel 72's, would that be a problem?

I dove the point all weekend and we checked three bags between my husband and myself, plus a carry-on each plus our weightbag and a tank each. The crew was helpful and we didn't have any problems.Depending on the boat and storage location, you'll carry the weights with you or leave them with the luggage. (Catalina Express from San Pedro, and hour and fifteen min) Catalina Express' web site says two checked bags per person plus one tank each. Having just done it, rent a steel 72 so you don't have to carry them.

We only have 7MM Bare arctic hooded one-piece fullsuits, we usualy go to Monteray, are they too warm this time of year for Catalina?

You'll be fine. We both wear 7mm with 7mm boots, 3mm gloves and 5mm hoods. Very comfy to about 80ft, then very cold.

I know, a lot of questions. We do not have a clue and reading the recent posts about Catalina makes us want to go.

Any advice would really help.
Steve

Have fun!!!!!

 

[kelpmermaid]

There is a ferry from Marina del Rey, can't remember the name but saw it pulling in a couple weeks ago. I believe it's over $50 fare plus parking, so.........

The website for the MDR ferry is www.catalinaferries.com. I am intrigued by the proximity to home, but the times just aren't good for what I want. Actually, the Express itself is $47.50 RT w/o the commuter book. You can see them at www.catalinaexpress.com.

Those dates are a Thurs-Fri, so the minimum stay may not apply.

 

[cheepguy]

Those dates are a Thurs-Fri, so the minimum stay may not apply.

Kelpmermaid, you are right, I booked a one night stay (Thursday night) at the Atwater Hotel.

Thank you everyone (Nay, funlvn66, ChrisM, saintsfan, alaity47, caveseeker7, RichLockyer, xSandman3, RonDawg and Kelpmermaid) for taking your time to give us help and advise.
If you think of anything else plesae post. Any sugustions on where to dive and enter from would help too.

Thanks again
Steve

 

[montyb]

I just dove catalina on Saturday - water temps at 75 ft. were 56 degrees - air temp was between 68 - 71 when we left. Did three dives - last one at pelican rock. Great day. But the DM on the Boat we were on also said - really rough to get a room at avalon this time of the year.
hope it works for you
montyb

 

[wrinkles]

and why wasnt I invited out to dinner with you guys .we ended up heading back that night instead on sunday morning,it was pretty rough after the wind picked up and it took us 3 hrs to make the crossing anyway I enjoyed meeting you guys.

We would have loved to have you......We had dinner on the mainland not in Catalina so we thought you were staying the night there so we didnt invite you because we knew how disappointed you would be not being able to make it

Some interesting things happened at dinner....Superman paid us a visit....

Ana

 

[saintsfan]

I must be slow I dont get it,by the way ana I'm still sorry about the just OW comment.

We would have loved to have you......We had dinner on the mainland not in Catalina so we thought you were staying the night there so we didnt invite you because we knew how disappointed you would be not being able to make it

Some interesting things happened at dinner....Superman paid us a visit....

Ana

 

[kelpmermaid]

If you think of anything else plesae post. Any sugustions on where to dive and enter from would help too.

Thanks again
Steve

Why, Casino Point in the underwater park, of course! It probably won't be bad during the week. You might want to click around on www.ladiver.com for additional info and a pre-handrail picture of the stairs.

 

[drbill]

Hermosa has the cheapest rooms- very basic but acceptable to most divers. Some hotels require 2 night minimum in summer so watch for that. Also campgrounds up the canyon (with "mass transit" up there for $1.50.

Shore diving at Casino Point is good if it isn't too stirred up. You can bring your tanks over on the Catalina Express boats.

PM me with any other questions.

Dr. Bill

 

[sapphire]

and why wasnt I invited out to dinner with you guys .we ended up heading back that night instead on sunday morning,it was pretty rough after the wind picked up and it took us 3 hrs to make the crossing anyway I enjoyed meeting you guys.

If you would have told us you were heading back you & your buddy would have been more than welcome to join us for dinner, it was fun!! Sorry about the rough crossing...