This is a report of a trip taken in August 1995 to the Catalina Islands off Southern California. The post did this trip two years in a row, although the 1994 group had all left the post by the following winter, so it felt like we were started over with a new post.

We were trying to stay with a pretty tight budget on this trip, so we drove down to Los Angeles. But we had a good time on the way and stopped in Las Vegas for a buffet lunch and a ride. About dusk we arrived in Long Beach at the docks and got our gear on board. It seemed to take most of the evening before everyone had arrived.

Our boat is called the Sand Dollar. It holds about 25 divers plus the crew. You can see in this photo that there is a section in the center of the boat with four windows. That's the main galley (kitchen) and eating area. In the back of the boat are benches down both sides, with racks for your tanks. You can sit to get your gear on then walk right off the back of the boat. Below this area are bunks, and below the eating area are more bunks. Our bunks were in the back section. You go down a few stairs and there's a small area where you can stand, surrounded by bunks. The bunk beds are three high and deep enough for two people. There's a little curtain on the front of each bunk for some privacy. It's really cramped, but then, the only time you are in there is when you're sleeping.

So, about midnight we took off from Long Beach and headed out toward the Catalina Islands. Everyone went to bed, and in the morning woke up to a cool, foggy morning. We could hear the sea lions barking over on the island. We were anchored a few hundred yards off Santa Barbara Island. On our first dive we discovered how friendly and curious sea lions are. They dart in and out, and are so fast in the water. The kelp beds are also fun to swim through - but don't get it tangled in your gear.

Water temperatures were about 60 degrees and visibility around 35 feet or so. For many in our group this was our first ocean diving so we were excited. There were some divers with spear guns who got some pretty big fish. Someone brought up an abalone and the cook fried some up for the whole group.

After every dive we would peel off the wetsuit, rinse off in the warm fresh water showers on either side of the boat, and then go check the serving counter. There was always something new to eat. Three meals a day plus snacks after every dive. The food was great! We moved a couple of times to new sites, and in the evening did a fun night dive. Jumping off a boat in total blackness into the dark ocean is pretty exciting.

The second morning was more diving, a move, more diving, then finally about mid afternoon it was time to quit. The boat turned toward home and it took us about 2 hours to get back to the docks at Long Beach. As we pulled in the cook served a hot lunch, just to be sure no one went home hungry. It was a great trip with plenty of diving and very good food.