Spectacular Catalina Island Scuba Diving
Why not plunge into the ocean scuba diving when you visit the inviting waters of Catalina Island? The first thing to understand about the area is that the water is very clear, in contrast to the mainland. Inside the ocean you can expect to see a variety of marine life like fish, rays, kelp, seals, sea lions and sharks. What’s that, sharks you say? Not to worry, all of the sharks in the shallow waters are harmless. Above all, the great thing about Catalina Island scuba diving is that all of your favorite diving locations are within walking distance from the shoreline.
Getting Started
If you have never scuba dived before then the first step will be to take a course for certification. These courses are like tours; the teachers show newcomers how to safely dive, and do so in a protected environment. If you are looking for diving instruction then look up diving shops like the Catalina Divers Supply in one of its three locations. This company offers certification, introductory dives and rentals. After this step, new divers can decide if they wish to dive with an experienced dive master, take a workshop class, do a night dive or a deep dive. They have a variety of diving experiences and classes.
Experience great Catalina Island scuba diving
If you are looking to go diving, Dive Catalina operates the “Catalina Grace” diving boat. This vessel is 36 feet long and carries a capacity of 11 divers. Your day diving experience leaves around 9:00 am and returns approximately at 3:00 pm. You will be provided a two tank dive and all dive trips include your tanks, weights, lunch and drinks. Dive Catalina provides introductory dives, dive classes, guided dives and much more.
Another great company is Diving Catalina which offers many family-friendly options. They offer a choice of snorkeling or scuba with no experience required.
The Catalina Chamber hosts the Annual Avalon Harbor Underwater Cleanup. The event provides an excellent time to dive and volunteer in cleaning up the underwater debris around the harbor. The Casino Point Marine Dive Park, located next to the Catalina Casino is about 2.5 acres in size. This is very popular for its bottom contours which have rock walls, outcroppings, boulders, and pinnacles. There is a beautiful sandy sea floor to explore. Other great spots for Catalina Island scuba diving include Descanso Beach and Little Farnsworth. Don’t be satisfied just peering in—jump into the beautiful Pacific waters of Catalina Island!
Two Harbors Diving
Some of the best Catalina Island Scuba Diving can be found in Two Harbors. In fact, this area is actually considered on of the world’s best; Scuba Magazine voted it the “World’s Healthiest Marine Environment”. Visibility ranges from 40 to 100 feet and the water is clean and clear.
Here, the place to start is the Two Harbors Dive & Recreation Center offering a full array of recreational options in addition to scuba diving. You can find snorkel gear, paddle boards, kayaks, mountain bikes and all sorts of other recreation equipment. Guided tours are also available for biking and kayaking.
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- A simple lined notebook with room to fill in your thoughts, process life, and jot down adventures
- 147 lined pages to fill with musings on your journey
- Original watercolor and ink painting featuring the beautiful Avalon harbor of Catalina Island is the backdrop to this practical notepad
- Santa Catalina Island is one of the West Coast's great nearby escapes, an hour's boat ride from Los Angeles and Long Beach for one million annual tourists
- The island's seventy-six square miles contain two communities--Avalon and Two Harbors--and extremely rugged seashores and interior wild lands
- Here, the history has been carved by pirates, smugglers, prospectors and squatters and set down by seafaring scribes and Hollywood fabricators
- A comprehensive guide to this amazing island off the Orange County coast
- This is a shaded relief topographic map
- It shows dirt roads, dive sites, snorkel sites, moorings, campground, anchorages and more