USPacific:Chapbook99

For Divers since 1975 The Private, Exclusive Guide for Serious Divers Since 1975

Members' Area

"Best of the Web: scuba tips no other
source dares to publish" -- Forbes

1999 Chapbook

U.S.A. Pacific

California

California's coastal waters can be divided into two distinct regions. North of Pt. Conception (a hundred-mile drive from L.A.), temperatures drop into the low 50s above the thermocline, visibility ranges from 10 to 60 feet, and animals closely resemble those of Puget Sound and British Columbia. Shore diving in this region requires surf entry, and each year unskilled divers are killed trying to enter or exit. Abalone are allowed only to free divers.... South of Pt. Conception, surface temperatures may reach the 70s in summer, though temperatures below the thermocline remain in the low 50s year-round with visibility ranging from 20 100 feet. Animals and plants in this region resemble those in northern Mexico. There's beautiful kelp and good fish life around the Channel Islands, which are accessible by boat from Santa Barbara and Los Angeles.... The best time of year for diving is in late summer or early fall, when plankton blooms cease and winter storms have yet to begin.... A 1/4" wetsuit or a drysuit is needed everywhere in California regardless of the season.... There's roughly one great white shark attack annually north of Monterey; free divers are most at risk, followed by surfers and scuba divers....

For full reviews of the following California destinations, see:
"Catalina, Farnsworth Bank, and the Channel Islands - California", Undercurrent- March 1999
"Scuba Outpost, Santa Catalina", In Depth- May 1996

One Eyed Jacks/HydroDiver/San Diego Shark Expeditions, October 1997. Tom Rath and Linda Lacey, Quincy, CA. Contacted Jay of One Eyed Jacks in September to arrange for a day trip to the Coronados and the kelp beds. He insisted I give him a credit card number to hold my place. I talked to him a week later to confirm the trip was still on and he said 80% it was. The week before we left I called twice and left voice messages trying to confirm. After no response, I called again the day before we left for San Diego and spoke with a woman who told us everything was a go, but to check in when we arrived in San Diego. We located the shop the day we arrived in San Diego (two days before the dive), but no one was there so. Went back the next day no one was there. Called later that day (the day before we were to go out) and were told the weather would not allow us to go to the Coronados, but he would take us to the kelp beds. That night when we returned to our room there was a message from Jay that the trip was canceled. We tried to contact him but to no avail. . . . When One Eyed Jack canceled we called Jim, the owner of Hydrospace, who said he was busy the next day, but told us to contact Paul who owns San Diego Shark Expeditions and often skippers his boat. Paul took us out. He's a wonderful conversationist, very knowledgeable about underwater life. Then went with Jim who owns Hydrospace and everything was as promised. Did two dives during the day and he gave us our choice of sites, was full of information, ran a safe operation, was friendly and helpful. Had a great night dive, as well. Both Paul and Jim were extremely courteous, honest, real people.

Catalina Island

Scuba Luv/Pavilion, April 1998, Mike Saffas & Lori Falls, N. Las Vegas, NV. Hotel great. Dove off King Neptune. Kelp sparse (caused by El Niño). Sighted 10 ft. white shark at Pirates Cove, a rare sight! Once in a lifetime. King Neptune is a nice dive boat. Other than the cold water and lack of kelp, shark sighting made trip worthwhile! Vis: 25-40 ft. Water: 57-58 degrees. No dive restrictions enforced. Use common sense when diving. Would recommend the Pavilion Lodge Dive Package. (Ph: 818-346-4799)

Scuba Luv, July 1998, Wade Norton, Tualatin, OR. Tina at Catalina Diving Resorts arranged lodging (Atwater Hotel), ferry crossing (Catalina Express) and diving (Prince Neptune and King Neptune.) True "Divers Hotel." Upgrade to a better room. Saw many sharks! Six foot Leopard Shark and many smaller horn sharks. Batrays, Garibaldi, an arrow crab (brought up by El Niño), Vis: 30-60 ft, water: 55-65 degrees.

Previous Year's Chapbook

Copyright © 1999, 1998 by DSDL, Inc., publisher of Undercurrent. All rights reserved. No portions of this report may be reproduced in any way, including photocopying and electronic data storage, without prior written permission from the publisher. For more information, contact DSDL, Inc., P.O. Box 1658, Sausalito, CA 94966.