Where to dive in so cal???

[scren]

I am a new diver with my AOW PADI cert (I've done 15 dives thus far) planning on visiting my family in Seal Beach this August. I'm hoping to get over to Catalina for a day and do some diving. Can anyone recommend whether I should do a boat dive with one of the operators there or just stick to the park off of casino point? I will have to rent most of my gear, too-- any recommendations on dive shops?

Also, I may have a chance to dive locally in OC/LA-- any recommendations about that? It sounds like Laguna is good, but I welcome any advise about good spots there or anywhere else!

Thanks-- I grew up in CA and I can't wait to explore a new side of it!

 

[Robert Phillips]

I am a new diver with my AOW PADI cert (I've done 15 dives thus far) planning on visiting my family in Seal Beach this August. I'm hoping to get over to Catalina for a day and do some diving. Can anyone recommend whether I should do a boat dive with one of the operators there or just stick to the park off of casino point? I will have to rent most of my gear, too-- any recommendations on dive shops?

Also, I may have a chance to dive locally in OC/LA-- any recommendations about that? It sounds like Laguna is good, but I welcome any advise about good spots there or anywhere else!

Thanks-- I grew up in CA and I can't wait to explore a new side of it!

Condions in SoCal in the summertime are not the greatest. You may be dealing with high surf/surge and almost no visibility on most days. Sometimes we get lucky and sometimes we get "You should have seen it yesterday!"
Catalina may be your best bet with your limited # of dives as in the summer conditions are usually calm on the lee side of the Island (Dive Park side). If you can hook up with some local divers and want to try a beach dive, make sure they take you to an area they are familiar with, as beach entries are not for the inexperienced. I have seen newer divers tumbled by 2' waves out here. Conditions can change quickly also. I have gone in with 1' surf and exited with 5-6' surf.
If you have the time, drop me a p.m. and I can show you a local spot or two if conditions are decent, and if you don't mind 5-10' visibility.

As far as Catalina, do the park if you have a buddy who knows it, or try your luck on buddying up on a boat. Check out Catalina Scuba Luv or Catalina Divers Supply. They both provide gear and boat dives. Summertime is really busy in Avalon, so gear may be limited.
Good luck.

 

[ChrisA]

I am a new diver with my AOW PADI cert (I've done 15 dives thus far) planning on visiting my family in Seal Beach this August. I'm hoping to get over to Catalina for a day and do some diving. Can anyone recommend whether I should do a boat dive with one of the operators there or just stick to the park off of casino point? I will have to rent most of my gear, too-- any recommendations on dive shops?

Also, I may have a chance to dive locally in OC/LA-- any recommendations about that? It sounds like Laguna is good, but I welcome any advise about good spots there or anywhere else!

Thanks-- I grew up in CA and I can't wait to explore a new side of it!

The only reason not to dive the Avalon drive park is because you've done it a million times and want to try something else but that's not your case. You can rent gear right there at Casino Point 100 feet from the park. Saves lugging gear around. I was there last Sat. and viz was decent at 25+ less in some places better in others. Temp was hot at surface (Many snorklers with no wetsuits) to 60s at
35 feet to "chilly" below 65ft. Plan on taking the first ferry over and try for a 6:30 or 7:00 return. If you rent a tank at Casiono Point you exchange emtpy for full so you don't have to wait for a fill.
So if you stay shallow you can do many dives in one day.

I dove with two buddies. With one we went loking for some of the wrecks below 60ft and the other was doing his first dive after OW cert so we stayed at 30 to 25 ft. Plenty to see and do in both cases.

Beach diving up where I live (Redondo, Torrence and Palos Verdes) has been real good lately with relativly good viz. (up to 15ft) and triveal surf. The water's warmed up too but it's still So Cal. (We call high 60's "warm".) You are welcome to come up to Redondo some week day after work for some night diving. There are a couple informal local groups that go after work.

Before you go beach diving in So. Cal check the "swell model" and then pick a beach with 1 to 2 foor surf if you can.
http://cdip.ucsd.edu/models/socal_now.shtml

P.S. if Aug 21 is a good date for you to go to Catalina send me a PM.

 

[pasley]

Depenindg on the day, you can also drop me a PM for a dive in Laguna or the surrounding area. Robertphillips5 dives there often and is a great dive partner. I spead myself over the Malibu, Palos Verde and Laguna area. I am limited to once or twice a week by the wife, but can dive almost any day of the week for that once or twice a week dive.

 

[Robert Phillips]

Depenindg on the day, you can also drop me a PM for a dive in Laguna or the surrounding area. Robertphillips5 dives there often and is a great dive partner. I spead myself over the Malibu, Palos Verde and Laguna area. I am limited to once or twice a week by the wife, but can dive almost any day of the week for that once or twice a week dive.

Gee! Thanks Melvin, you got me blushing! :blush:

 

[scren]

thanks for all the great input thus far-- i will be in touch as i get my dates more organized!

 

[dazedone]

Since you will be in Seal Beach, the Sundiver is a great boat that is very close to you. Captain Ray will take you to some really good sites in Catalina.

http://www.sundiver.net

I dove once with Robert and Melvin right after I got certified and they were good dive buddies. I don't get to dive with them much as I mostly boat dive and they beach dive all the time. If you want to do a beach dive, these are the guys to hook up with.

-David

 

[pasley]

Now we are both blushing.

A beach dive or two a week keeps you healthy and young. Escpecially in SoCal where most dives are a bit of a walk and climb!

 

[sandiegodiving]

Can anyone recommend whether I should do a boat dive with one of the operators there or just stick to the park off of casino point? I will have to rent most of my gear, too-- any recommendations on dive shops?

You might want to do a little of both. I've had lost of great dives off Casino Point and keep going back, but places like Goat Harbor are also warrant a visit.

Also, I may have a chance to dive locally in OC/LA-- any recommendations about that? It sounds like Laguna is good, but I welcome any advise about good spots there or anywhere else!

Shaw's Cove in Laguna is a good bet.