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Gear Up for Winter: Wetsuit & Equipment Tips for Cold-Water Catalina Diving
Ocean activities sometimes seem like they’re solely a summer thing. But on Catalina Island, that’s just not true. Not only is there amazing visibility all around the majestic kelp forests, there are many distinct advantages to winter diving around Catalina. When it’s summer at Casino Point, there are often crowds of people, piles of gear, and lots of bubble trails all around the dive park.
Winter is for true fans of scuba, and winter diving often comes with easier access to Catalina’s underwater dive park. The cold water season is also the season for California lobster. These spiny, cool-water creatures tend to creep out onto rocks and reefs in the winter. Be on the lookout for sea lions, and harbor seals on your dives too. In the winter, the town of Avalon becomes a more peaceful and laid-back place. Don’t think of winter as the off season; think of it as your season to come and explore more on some cold water dives. Catalina Divers Supply can help get you all geared up. Read on to learn more about how to gear up for winter, and discover some wetsuit and equipment tips for cold-water Catalina diving.
Cool water, warm wetsuits. During the winter months of December through March, the water temperatures around Avalon can dip into the range of 55 to 65 degrees. Occasionally, when there’s an upwelling, the water might be as cold as the lower 50s. While the winter ocean waters are cooler, there is some of the best visibility at this time of year; it can be clear from 40 to 60 feet regularly during the winter. You’ll want to get in the water, and you’ll want to have the best gear too. This is where Catalina Divers Supply comes in, with gear rental for all levels of scuba (and snorkeling too).
Dry suit divers. If you’re certified to dive with a drysuit, Catalina Divers Supply offers rentals. Catalina wintertime is prime time for dry diving and maintaining maximum warmth. Having proper thermal protection is so important for your winter dives. Catalina Divers Supply offers packages for gear rental or a la carte options for renting wetsuits,drysuits, hoods, gloves, and booties–all great items for a winter dive. Don’t have a dry suit certification? We can help with that. Our roster of classes includes dry suits.
Reserve ahead of time. Whether you need suits, hoods, weights, tanks, regulators, or buoyancy compensators, it’s always a good idea to make a gear reservation ahead of time–even in the less-busy winter. This can be done online through the Catalina Divers Supply website. Want to reserve in person? Head to our dive shop at the Casino building or to our other location on the Green Pleasure Pier.
Consider capturing the moment. Use the winter months to learn a new underwater skill. The winter often creates conditions for ideal underwater photography opportunities. Because there are often fewer plankton blooms in the winter, there is a lot more clarity in the water. Winter can help with more high-contrast in underwater photos. In the winter, keep a lookout in order to get some great pics of horn sharks, swell sharks, octopus, and colorful nudibranchs. Catalina Divers Supply offers an Underwater Digital Photographer Specialty course. An open water certification is required, as is scuba and an underwater digital camera.
Stay warm when you’re out of the water. Visit Catalina Diver Supply’s dive shop at the Casino. There are hoodies, beanies, long sleeved shirts, and even some poncho-style towels that divers can keep warm in pre and post-dive. We also offer the helpful amenity of warm showers on site so you can head out to Avalon after your day of diving.
Let there be light. It might seem counterintuitive to bring a dive light on a daytime dive, but winter sunlight–while beautiful–can sometimes be blocked by the abundant kelp forest in the winter time. Using a dive light can help you to see the beautiful underwater colors of sea fans, garibaldi, and lots of other sea life that might be tucked into reefs and rocks. Check out the dive shop at Catalina Divers Supply to see what they offer.
Stay regulated. Winter sea conditions like cooler water temps can often place higher demands on dive gear like regulators. Fortunately, Catalina Divers Supply has repair technicians on site that can help to service your gear on the spot.
Call Catalina Divers Supply. Having the right outfitter for your winter scuba adventures can help make your experience so much more enjoyable. Our prime waterfront location right at Casino Point places divers in one of the best dive spots in the world. Our wide inventory of rental gear is ready for you to reserve so you can stay warm during your dive; stay warm after your dive with a post-die shower. In addition, Catalina Divers Supply has divemasters and instructors with year-round local experience are on staff to help you during your dive trip. Check out all that Catalina Divers Supply has to offer on our website, and give us a call at 310-510-0330 to book the best winter dive trip for you.
