Trip Report - California kelp, Aug 2008

[scubarobin]

Here is my Trip Report from out weekend of diving in California Channel Islands a few weeks ago. It was on the Great Escape, a typical California style liveaboard boat in Long Beach.
http://www.rnrscuba.net/Calif_08/Cal...t_Aug2008.html

Full boat is 30+ divers plus crew, below deck are bunkbeds for sleeping the night before if you want on daytrips or just taking naps which is very nice. This is not luxury but for Calif this is the norm. Great trip, great diving, great people, great fun. What more could you ask for, especially for the price! No DM in the water, just jump in and dive and be back on boat by designated time! Love it!

Cost was $150pp for San Clemente (includes 3 dives and full hot breakfast and lunch and snacks and airfills)
Cost was $125pp for Catalina (all the same inclusions)
You must provide your own tanks and weights. This price is a steal compared with other destinations where you only get 2 dives for that price and NO hotmeals or beds to sleep in! Check out all the topside pics.

Great Escape website: Southern California Scuba Diving - Great Escape Dive Boat


robin

[Zenagirl]

Thanks Robin! Great videos and report...really made me feel like I was there with you. But you always do great videos and reports.

[chinacat46]

Robin looks like a great time. I'm gonna have to do the Channel Islands one of these days no matter what Travelnsj says about the cold water.

[Travelnsj]

I have heard that is excellent diving in the Channel Islands. Reef Seekers does trips out there on a regular basis. I hear that water can be rough at times. If you hit it on a good day, it is excellent diving lots of Marine life. But the only way I will ever see it.....is through Robins pics and videos

[scubarobin]

The BEST time to go to the Channel Islands, if you are afraid of rough water or cold water, is in August or Sept. It is the warmest and calmest. We have been out 4 years in a row during that timeframe and never had a bad day. Sunny most of the time, but always calm water and great diving!

[chinacat46]

Robin thnx for the info on best time to go. Guess I'll have to plan for next year as August is over and I'm headed to the Philippines on 9/11. Do you dive dry or what thickness wet suit?

[Travelnsj]

I have heard Anacapa Island is the best. Currents can be wicked at times but when you hit it at the right time it is excellent diving.....but frigging COLD!

[chinacat46]

What does "frigging COLD" translate to in terms of numbers? Inquiring minds want to know.

[thesmoothdome]

Originally Posted by chinacat46

What does "frigging COLD" translate to in terms of numbers? Inquiring minds want to know.

You know that to Travelnsj anything under 80 degrees is friggin cold.

[Travelnsj]

LOL...thesmoothdome....Is right!!!!...80 I consider a bit chilly....but I have a trip planned to the Philippines in late Feb and March next year and the water will be 78 to 80....Thus I will bring my 1mm Henderson!

Terry have you finished you trip report yet?