The Underwater Park
Casino Point
Avalon, Catalina Island, CA

Dove (most of the time) With Ed

I was invited to come diving in Catalina by Nick’s instructor.

We took the Catalina Express out at 9:15 AM.

The Casino Point Dive Park entrance.

We got in the water about 11:30 AM.

Initially it was Ed and I.

The rest of them — Instructor Mike, Nick and a 12 year old and his father — went snorkeling at first.

From the top, the underwater park looks very small, but the edge, marked by buoys goes down to 100 feet.

Ed and I went down to 40 feet ininitially.

The visibility was excellent — 50 feet or more.

Kelp, big fish were everywhere.

This is a game preserve so no hunting!

I saw a 20 pound sheephead that was making me hungry.

We continued to go down to 75 feet and accidentally went past the boundary of the park.

Ed surfaced; me right behind him.

Ed complained that he couldn’t equalize at depth.

I got a little dizzy coming up, but I stopped and regained my equilibrium.

We swam back to the stairs; Ed went on shore.

I tried looking for Nick since I had my camera.

I had 1000 psi left and couldn’t find him; I decided to go back in.

While on my way in, Nick was coming out with his instructor.

I waited until he was in the water.

He submerged and I followed, taking the first pictures of him SCUBA diving for the first time.

I had a hard time sinking and followed one of the buoy lines down.

At 500 psi I went back to shore.

I with: 3100 psi
Out With: 500 psi
Max depth: 75 feet
Visibility: 50 + feet
Waves: 1 foot
Temperature: Cool

Long Point, CA 8 AM
(aka The Old Marineland)

Solo Diving

I entered the water about 8:30 AM.

The water was almost as smooth as glass.

Entering was no problem.

Swimming out was very clear; I saw the bottom almost all the way out.

I went to the small caves where I saw lobsters last time.

It is indeed straight out from the tip of the point about 35 feet down.

I brought my flashlight and looked in many crevices for lobster; I didn’t find any.

I navigated back to the same spot I submerged from.

Total time underwater was about 45 minutes.

In with: 2800 psi
Out with: 600 psi
Max depth: 45 feet
Waves: 1 foot
Water Temperature: Cold
Visability: 20 feet and clear

I came back to the shore with no problem.

Ed and his dogs were there.