Diving Catalina
Written: Aug 24 '01 (Updated Aug 27 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great visibility, animals you won't see anywhere else.
Cons: Water is cold, you will need at least a 10 mil wetsuit
The Bottom Line: There is a ton to do! You will be thoroughly entertained the entire time you're there.
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| bertaaf's Full Review: Catalina Island |
This is not a review about what is on the island but what is underwater. Santa Catalina Island is regarded by many divers around the world as pristine, almost unbeatable diving. 26 miles off the coast of Los Angeles, Catalina has some of the best diving in the world. There are many reasons for why this is the case.
First of all, the Kelp Forests there are more plentiful than any other Kelp sites. You might try Monterey, but I swear there is a conspiracy regarding Monterey. The water is never clear enough to see your buddy next to you. All the pictures in the brochures must be taken on Catalina.
This brings me to my second point. The visibility is almost always at least 50 feet. On the good days, it nears 100 feet.
Thirdly, the most exciting part about diving Catalina is the abundance of sea life. Garibaldis, as most Californians know, are the state's saltwater fish. THEY ARE EVERYWHERE!! In fact it can get quite annoying.
Some other marine life that you will most likely see that are pretty rare elsewhere are Mola Molas (Ocean Sunfish), Giant Black Sea Bass, Horn Sharks, Thornback Rays...etc. I've been on about 40 dives on Catalina and I can honestly say that every single time I go down, I see something that I've never seen there before. And that is a feeling that can hardly be beat.
There are about 3 dive sites that really caught my attention, and if I could they would be the only ones I go to.
#1 Ship Rock
This site is about an hour's boat ride from Avalon. It's right on the Isthmus. All it is essentially is a big rock that has erected from the ocean, surrounded by kelp. It is not unlikely to have a very strong current, but even with a strong current, it is an awesome site. Don't be surprised if you see scorpionfish, lobsters, eels, octopi, Mola Molas. It is quite common to go underwater and see everything that you're told you are going to see.
#2 Bird Rock, also know as Sheep Rock
This site I believe is even better than Ship Rock. It is almost right next to Ship Rock, they are extrememly close together. This is a plus since there are so many dive boats. If one is taken up just jet over to the other one. Anyways, as I was saying. Bird Rock is spectacular because there is an extreme drop to about 100 feet or more. This means there is a wall, and we all love walls. I believe wall diving is the best type of diving in the world. For one it's simple as heck to navigate and second of all there is a ton to look at!
The wall there is covered with sea fans, anemones, urchins and so on. Little critters such as Painted Greenlings, Blue Banded Gobies, Nudibranchs, and sometimes Horn Sharks like to hide on the walls. It is a very relaxing dive, and you will be blown away with the amount to look at.
#3 Black Sea Bass Grotto
This is a site that you must go to with a charter dive group, seriously. All there is to see there are Giant Black Sea Bass. If you aren't sure what they are just imagine a regualr sized grouper (half a foot). Giant Black Sea Bass are about 20 times the size of that.
This site is very dreary, just rocks. You will have to go down pretty deep since they like cold water so beware of the thermocline. However, lately they've been venturing closer to the surface(50 feet).
If you are going to Catalina and want to dive, there are plenty of dive charters to choose from, mainly in Avalon. However, in Two Harbors, there is a dive shop that I believe does dive charters.
Trust me, if you think all there is to diving is warm waters and coral than you havent gone diving. Kelp forests will keep you entertained for a long time.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Friends
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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Epinions.com ID:
bertaaf
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Member: Aaron Firestein
Location: Berkeley, California
Reviews written: 76
Trusted by: 8 members
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