Where and when for kelp diving

[highlandfarmwv]

Hi, I have a US Airway ticket redeemable for anywhere in US, and was thinking about coming to So Cal, possibly Catalina to sample the diving there. When does the kelp die back for the season? Where would be the best spot for a solo traveler to sample good diving? I have no problem diving solo if allowed. Thank you very much.

 

[ItsBruce]

You have asked a very tough question. The Catalina dive park is amazing. It is not overly challenging, but is awesome. There are plenty of other parts of Catalina that are also outstanding, b ut require a boat (and there are plenty).

For beach diving (the dive park really is not a "beach"), the fall is generally the best SoCal diving.

 

[robint]

Hi, I have a US Airway ticket redeemable for anywhere in US, and was thinking about coming to So Cal, possibly Catalina to sample the diving there. When does the kelp die back for the season? Where would be the best spot for a solo traveler to sample good diving? I have no problem diving solo if allowed. Thank you very much.

the kelp dies back a little bit during late summer (right now) due to the warm water, but not enough to really affect the diving in most cases. Oct-Nov are months when many of the boats are dedicated to lobster hunting so you might want to skip those months unless you can get on a trip guaranteed NOT to be "bug hunt frenzy".

IMHO your best bet to get the most out of the diving is to do some boat diving. There are dozens of boats to choose from, all listed on the website here: California Dive Boats : The Official Page

robin

 

[muddiver]

Also, if the water starts to warm up from the El Nino effect in the Pacific the kelp might start to really die off. It's happend before, so come now while the kelp beds are in good shape. Winter time is the best because teh water is clearer than in the mid to late summer.

 

[JMdiver]

If you go to Catalina you can dive the park & go on one of 2 boats that go out of Catalina so you can get some variety. The Kelp is pretty awesome right now.

John

 

[drbill]

Really depends on water temp (which determines nutrient content). Earlier this season we had unseasonably high water temps early, but then they cooled off "saving" the kelp but now they are getting warmer again. IOf the predicted El Nino appears, we could lose all kelp later this fall.

Right now conditions are "epoch" with 60+ ft visibility reported today by local instructors (as usual on a day I decided to edit and not to dive).

 

[fnfalman]

For kelp diving, it's best to dive during the deep winter and spring. If you can wait until January or February, it would be sweet.

As far as solo diving goes, if you go on a boat charter, it's fairly liberal here in California. Most boats and shops don't care as long as you have basic OW cert and know the hazards involved in solo diving. HOWEVER, I know at least one shop that if you charter through them, they won't let you go solo and that shop is Eco Dive Center out of Culver City. And I "think" but not sure either, but Sport Chalet doesn't allow solo diving when you charter through them.

It's best to check with the boat (if you go on open boat) and with the shop (if you charter through them) about solo diving. Of course, if you were to do shore dives then you can solo all you want. The PADI Police ain't gonna come and git yer card. Hehe.