20 replies to this topic

[ereediver]

Putting this outthere because I can't PM yet, I take it because Kamala is still in Cozumel. I leave for my west coast cruise on monday. We have a port of call on Cattalina Island. I am hoping to dive there. If anyone (drbill) could give a quick water and weather condition report. It would be heplfull. I know it should be on the day I'm diving, but the shore excursion does not seem to be offered anymore, so I was going to try the Green Pier and see if something is available. I just wanted to know if it was worth the effort, or has it been to rough, cold or turbid lately?

[Latitude Adjustment]

Well the locals will always tell you it's warm but I've always found it about ten degrees cooler than reported, something like those ski slope reports I guess but it's always been worth the dive.

[drbill]

Haven't downloaded my computer so I don't know temperatures. Did three dives (65, 40 and 92 ft... yes, I know, a severe reverse profile but well within my computer limits). Conditions were almost flat calm on the surface with surge at 20-25 ft. It wasn't real bad though.

Just got back from my day of diving. Apparently temperature records were set in SoCal. It certainly was a delightful day topside although I spent most of it underwater.

Conditions were only fair below water. I think the rains of last week washed soil into the ocean providing nutrients and the sun of the last few days may have triggered a plankton bloom. It was greenish underwater and only about 20-30 ft visibility.

However, on my first dive (at Yellowtail Point) I encountered LOTS of quid eggs just at the bottom of the anchor line. In fact I don't think I went more than 30-40 ft from the anchor line the whole dive. There were plenty of squid eggs, dead squid (they die after mating) as well as a few live squid which I was able to videotape swimming, interacting and ejecting ink!

Second dive was at Empire Landing Quarry. I went to look for the "tropical" scythe butterflyfish but couldn't find a single one. Stayed shallow as I expected a deep dive for my third.

Third dive was at Hen Rock. I looked for squid at 65 ft but didn't see any so I dropped down to 85-95 ft. There I found plenty although it was fairly dim down there and there were HUGE schools of Pacific mackerel swimming around above me which also cut down light levels.

They say that nothing eats squid eggs. Well, I found a school of blacksmith munching away on them and got decent footage (light battery was dead and the light was dim down there, but I think you can tell what is going on in the footage).

So it was a productive day today. About 50 min of footage to edit (Sun?). Left my gear on the boat so I'll go diving with them tomorrow.

[Travelnsj]

Putting this outthere because I can't PM yet, I take it because Kamala is still in Cozumel. I leave for my west coast cruise on monday. We have a port of call on Cattalina Island. I am hoping to dive there. If anyone (drbill) could give a quick water and weather condition report. It would be heplfull. I know it should be on the day I'm diving, but the shore excursion does not seem to be offered anymore, so I was going to try the Green Pier and see if something is available. I just wanted to know if it was worth the effort, or has it been to rough, cold or turbid lately?

John,

Your boat gets in around 7 to 8 am, they start unloading around 9 am and you are back on the boat by about 4 pm. You have two dive operators. Catalina Divers supply and Scuba Luv. Both are excellent operations. I perfer Catalina Divers supply as I know John.

If you want to dive try to get drbill to meet you otherwise you will have to hire a DM to go with you and I would suggest to book that in advance. You will undoubtedly have a better time with Bill. Most likely you will only have time to dive Casino point. My guess on the water temps it is in the low 60's to mid 50's....but I have not dove there in years as I am allergic to Cold water! (80 + only for me) But it is beautiful diving!

My suggestion is (being I own a retail business on the island)....go shopping spend lots of money and have a good lunch!

[ereediver]

The ship will port at the Island on Wed. the 11th. So Travelnsj what buisness do you have, I'll try to stop in and say hi. drbill thanksfor the intell sounds like a very productive dive. I hope I can pull this together. Nothing like waiting til the last minute, but the ship did list a dive excursion about a month ago. What happened I can't say.

Edited by ereediver, 06 January 2006 - 11:01 PM.

[Travelnsj]

The ship will port at the Island on Wed. the 11th. So Travelnsj what buisness do you have, I'll try to stop in and say hi. drbill thanksfor the intell sounds like a very productive dive. I hope I can pull this together. Nothing like waiting til the last minute, but the ship did list a dive excursion about a month ago. What happened I can't say.

I do not live on the Island. But it is the Big store left of the Chi Chi club entrance. If you do not have a dive buddy, make sure you arrange with one of the dive shops to have someone dive with you. It is the slow time of the year and not a whole lot of divers on the weekdays. Have fun!

[drbill]

I just downloaded my computer and BOTTOM temps were 55-56 between 65-95 ft, although almost all the diving was north of Long Point where it tends to be a bit cooler. Squid were active as I reported (well, mostly dying since their purpose in life, reproducing, was over).

Haven't heard a report for the dive park. I heard that it was about 40 ft vis on Wed or Thur.

Hey Travelnsj, did you move your shop? Amazing what happens when I'm not looking. Tell me it happened a year or two ago and I'll be red in the face!

[ereediver]

Thanks for the update, again any help I can get is most appreciated. Sounds like it would be worth doing, even if it's a bit chilly. I will have to find a buddy, with someone else will be looking for a buddy that day.

That's interesting that squid are like salmon, look I learned something here. I thought theygot to "do it more than once" Are Giant squid different in that respect. Seems that they would have a longer life span.

Edited by ereediver, 07 January 2006 - 12:49 AM.

[drbill]

Are Giant squid different in that respect. Seems that they would have a longer life span.

Just edited the footage from the first dive. Squid came out reasonably well given the conditions.

Not sure about giant squid. Hopefully I won't run into any when they are interested in mating or in feeding!

[WreckWench]

You can now pm...and thanks for being so patient! And have a great trip! -ww

[ereediver]

You can now pm...and thanks for being so patient! And have a great trip! -ww

No, Thank you, Kamala

[ereediver]

Well I have returned from my trip. Dived the Avalon Dive Park with Catalina dive shop. Water was at 56 degrees, but with the 7mm dive suit I never felt it The dive was beautiful. The viz was over forty feet. Lots of fish and slugs. First time in salt water, so I had a tough time getting down. Then I had a run a way ascent on the way back. We were slowly returning from 60 feet, at about the 25 foot mark I started going up and could not stop it. I just followed my Guide Jeff, who was very patient by the way, at the surface, till he noticed me missing, about a minute later, then just shadowed him to the exit. Probably cut 10-15 minutes off my dive time, but I did not hurt myself so I guess thats a plus. All in all for my sixth dive I feels things , got to work on the bouyancy,went fairly well. Bill and travelnsj thanks for the tips. I prebooked so I was on the dive just the guide and me. Still worth the price.

[drbill]

Glad you had a good experience despite the rapid ascent. Know Jeff (no surprise, I know all the dive professionals here in town) and am sure he did a good job. Sorry I didn't make contact with you while you were here. I was editing my giant sea bass DVD and when I got out and headed towards the dive park I realized I had an appointment for a haircut.

[ereediver]

Glad you had a good experience despite the rapid ascent. Know Jeff (no surprise, I know all the dive professionals here in town) and am sure he did a good job. Sorry I didn't make contact with you while you were here. I was editing my giant sea bass DVD and when I got out and headed towards the dive park I realized I had an appointment for a haircut.

The old I had to get my hair done.....
It would have been nice to meet you, but I now it's tough to get away. I had a Great time, and can't wait till my next dive. I can see why you live there.

[drbill]

The old I had to get my hair done.....
It would have been nice to meet you, but I now it's tough to get away. I had a Great time, and can't wait till my next dive. I can see why you live there.

Actually the reason I couldn't dive that day was because I was editing down my giant sea bass DVD since I was on a schedule to deliver it Friday. Worked all morning on that, but did want to come down and say hi... until I remembered the appointment.

Yep, it's a pretty nice place to live considering.

Edited by drbill, 18 January 2006 - 12:08 PM.