Catalina Island Dive Report

[PACKRMAN]

If anyone is looking for a nice weekend off the west coast this is a good one.

Catalina Divers Supply has a package that includes everything. They will set up the ferry ride to and from the island, dive friendly hotel rooms that will serve hot breakfast every morning in addition to the “normal” attention you get at a good dive-op.

The dive park off Casino Point (not a real casino but a 1920’s dance hall) is nice for a days diving. Lots of fish, lobster, rays, kelp, the works. Easy entry to the water with a set of stairs, though low tide is a little tricky. The bottom ranges from flat and sandy to rock walls with kelp forests in between. The dive shop keeps a trailer on site with air fills and last minute gear and there is a café for a hot surface interval lunch. Oh yeah, the real bathroom was real nice if you know what I mean.

It seems I picked the perfect weekend for weather. Friday had an air temp of 82f, a surface temp in the mid 70’s and it was 62 at 85 feet. There was a very slight current that seemed to die later in the day and visibility was easily 50 – 75 feet. The locals all agreed they were the best conditions of the summer. Since I as on the island by myself with nothing to do but dive I decided to take some Specialty Courses. I used three dives Friday doing Photography. Saturday we went out on the Scuba Cat. WOW, what a nice boat. There were six of us on board a boat with 70 tanks, 2 camera tables, 2 ladders made for divers on a back deck at the water level. Definitely luxury conditions. Cindy, a local lady was kind enough to dive with me all day. The goal was to find a giant black sea bass, we failed. The other four all found some and from the size of one ladies eyes they were impressive. Sunday I was back at the dive park working on Peak Performance Buoyancy and Nitrox. Both classes were real eye openers. I wish I had another week to work on the new skills but my ears were starting to talk to me.

The City of Avalon itself was great. It is the definition of a small town. Everyone knows everybody and everything. They tell me the biggest problem they have is someone stealing your golf cart and leaving it across town. Of course it only takes 5 min to walk across town to get it back. It seems every third building is a restaurant, bar or shop. I was lucky enough to find the Lobster Trap my first night. Cold beer in HUGE frosty mugs and fresh blackened swordfish taco’s was all it took to bring me back thru their doors every night. I was only there for a long weekend and stayed pretty busy. I think it would take several long weekends before anyone would run out of things to do. I know I will be going back but this time I’ll bring Ellen.

[Travelnsj]

Glad you had a good time. Avalon is a nice place, I owned a business there for 20 years I never got tired of the small town charm when I visited.

[Desert_Diver]

I have made a couple of trips to Catalina. I always had a good time and the diving was great.

I did think things were a tad overpriced though.

ARt

[Travelnsj]

Art there is a reason everything may be a tad more expensive....you gotta bring it over 26 miles, small labor pool and rents that are equal or more than LA....but in my business I had to compete with mainland stores so my profit always took a hit....thus I decided to sell it a couple of years ago....Now I'm an unemployed Scuba diver!

[chinacat46]

I've never been I'm waiting for Scott to tell me the water is warm enough for him.

[Travelnsj]

Well if global warming can hurry up and we can get that water up to 82 degrees....I'll keep you posted

[Vercingetorix]

I dove at Avalon with Catlaina Diver Supply in May 07. Water was chilly and reuiqred 7mm FJ. The trailer was not set-up at the Casino, so we carted tanks over from the pier dive shop; I rented tank and FJ; other gear was mine.

Wonderful clear water. This was also my first, and so far only, blue water dive.

Thanks for the report on the boat dive. That's next on my lsit next May when I return.

[BUDMAN]

Visited Catalina about 20 years ago(can't believe it's been 20 years). can't remember the name of the boat we dove off of but it is still the best diving of my life. love the kelp forest.
only problem was my dive buddy who just wouldn't slow down and burned through his air in a hurry.
I would like to go back this next year, finances willing, so I would appreciate any recommendations on where to stay and who to dive with.

[Desert_Diver]

Originally Posted by Travelnsj

Art there is a reason everything may be a tad more expensive....you gotta bring it over 26 miles, small labor pool and rents that are equal or more than LA....but in my business I had to compete with mainland stores so my profit always took a hit....thus I decided to sell it a couple of years ago....Now I'm an unemployed Scuba diver!

Horse Hockey, BS and related concepts.

The Japanese send cars several thousand miles and still sell for less. I think it is much more closely related to Catalina being a Yuppie Scum Mecca for everything except diving. (The cut rate hotels cater to divers.) If the diving weren't so good (and relatively close to my water-less desert), I would probably never go there.

Art

PS Nothing personal, Scott (you money grubbing, capatilist pig )

[PACKRMAN]

Originally Posted by BUDMAN

Visited Catalina about 20 years ago(can't believe it's been 20 years). can't remember the name of the boat we dove off of but it is still the best diving of my life. love the kelp forest.
only problem was my dive buddy who just wouldn't slow down and burned through his air in a hurry.
I would like to go back this next year, finances willing, so I would appreciate any recommendations on where to stay and who to dive with.

Call Carolyn at Divers Supply
Catalina Island Scuba Diving and Snorkeling from Catalina Divers Supply on Catalina Island in Avalon CA
I stayed at the SeaPort Villiage Inn. Not the fanciest place in town but they will take care of divers. A closet to store gear, an area to clean gear, places to dry gear etc. Tell Carolyn what you are looking for, she will make all the calls.