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Scuba
Diving on Catalina Island
Catalina Island’s naturally clean and clear waters, abundant
marine life, giant kelp forests, and diver-friendly services have
made the island one of the top dive destinations in the world. In
fact, a recent issue of Rodale’s Scuba Diving magazine ranked
Catalina Island the #1 Dive Destination in North America in the
annual Reader’s Choice Awards of the top 100 dive destinations
in the world!
Several
dive shops on the island offer everything from introductory dives
and refresher courses to certification. Introductory dives are led
by certified instructors and are designed to make your first diving
experience a safe one. Offshore diving and charter boat excursions
are also available, as well as equipment rentals and sales.
Annual
Special Event for Divers
Each year in February, as many as 500 divers attend the Annual Avalon
Harbor Underwater Clean-up. This is the only day of the year scuba
diving is permitted in Catalina Island’s beautiful Avalon
Bay!
The
exception is made for a good cause, to clean up the bay. In the
past, divers from all over California, the western states and as
far as Europe have traveled to Catalina Island to participate.
The
refuse found in the bay will be collected over a two-hour period,
sorted, and recycled by volunteers. An awards ceremony follows with
awards given out for exemplary trash, most unusual trash, biggest
piece of trash, and the annual “B.S.” Award, where contestants
are invited to display their “booty” and tell their
“story” about the origin of a particular item.
The
Underwater Clean-up is a fund-raiser benefiting the Santa Catalina
Island Conservancy Divers and the USC Hyperberic Chamber on Catalina
Island. The USC Hyperberic Chamber is the closest life support recompression
chamber to thousands of divers who scuba dive in the nearby waters.
For
more information, call the Catalina Conservancy Divers at (310)
348-4750.
Casino
Point Marine Park
Located at the edge of the Casino Building, Casino Point Marine
Park is Southern California’s first city-designated underwater
park. Established in 1965 by the City of Avalon as a reserve, Casino
Point is the only spot within Avalon’s city limits where diving
is permitted and has recently undergone improvements.
Because
it is protected, an abundance of marine life dwells there and several
wrecks and artificial reefs have been established to provide additional
habitats. Giant kelp forests also flourish in the park.
For
listings of Catalina Island Dive Services, see the Activities section.
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