Posted by Dick Analog on April 25, 2005 at 21:51:07:
In Reply to: Catalina/ Avalon Landing posted by Little Tank on April 25, 2005 at 19:15:48:
If your gear is packed in something that rolls easily, it's a 20min. walk from the Cat Express docks to the dive park. Tanks (and air fills) are available on Sat. and Sun. at the entrance to the dive park from 8am to 4pm, and 12pm to 4pm on Friday afternoons (personally I like renting - it's nice not to have to lug your tanks on and off the boat). Tanks cost $5 ea. to rent for a day, and each air fill is $5. You'll need a cert. card for rentals and and/or fills.
It's about a $12 taxi ride (for 2 people) from the boat landing to the dive park. There is also a baggage handling service at the dock facility that will transport your gear to and from Casino Point for $8 per person (both ways included), though the transit times and pickups are a somewhat unpredictable.
Visibility has been a sub-par at Avalon and some other Channel Island dive sites for the past few weeks; 10-20ft at Avalon for the weekends of April 9th and April 16th. Hopefully things will improve.
Even with less than ideal visibility, it's a great place to dive. There is a remarkable variety of underwater terrain; in fact, it's easy to get deep faster than you might realize. Just during the past winter I've witnessed several diver rescues, so it's a place that demands a lot of respect. If you haven't gone diving for a year or more, it might be a good idea to arrange for a professionally-led refresher dive. There are at least a couple of dive shops in Avalon that would be able to help you out there.
Best wishes for safe and happy diving!