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 Catalina
is one of the most popular dive destinations in California. In addition
to excellent visibility, the Island offers sheltered coves,underwater
cliffs and caves, kelp forests, a variety of ship wrecks, and a
vibrant variety of marine life.
Catalina's water temperatures vary seasonally,
from a low of 56 degrees to a high in the lower to mid 70s.
Scuba
Diving
III Snorkeling
III Images of Catalina's
Marine Life
Where to Dive - Guide to Diving Catalina
Island III Diver-friendly
Hotels
Volunteer Opportunities III
Dive Packages
Catalina
offers dozens of great dive destinations. The services below can
make informed recommendations based on your interests and experience.
Catalina
Dive Shop
On site at Lover's Cove. Call toll free 1-877-SNORKEL or 1-87-SCUBA
DIVE.
Catalina
Diver's Supply & Dive Shop
Offering introductory scuba dives with no experience, guided scuba
tours, and certification classes from open water through rescue
diver. Two locations for full service rental, sales and air fills.
Boat trips are always available! Call 310.510.0330 for reservations.
Catalina
Diving Resorts
Catalina Diving Resorts has been packaging dive excursions to the
island for the past 20 years. We have found the diver friendly
hotels to make ones vacations easy and hassle-free. Our "one call
does it all" has been a favorite for dive shops, clubs, dive instructors
and students, and honeymooners as well. Let us set up your ferry
times, hotel accommodations, boat diving, shore diving, dive rentals
and dive classes. You're just a phone call or email away for planning
a dive vacation on Santa Catalina Island!
Catalina
Island Expeditions
Rents Scrambler XT kayaks, specially designed for scuba use. Also
guided kayak expeditions. 310-510-1226
Catalina
Scuba Luv
Full service dive center. Intro dives, advanced training, boat charters,
gear rentals. 800-262-DIVE
Catalina
Snorkel & Scuba Adventures
On-site at Lover's Cove. Call toll free 1-877-SNORKEL
Catalina
West End Dive Center
Two Harbors has a full service, PADI certified dive shop. Offering
boat dives, instruction at all levels, guided underwater tours,
guided kayaking tours and equipment rentals. Call 310.510.4272
Lover's
Cove, a short walk east from Avalon, is an excellent area for snorkeling.
It is a protected marine preserve, with no fishing (including spear
fishing) or scuba diving allowed. The glass bottom boats cruise
there and feed the fish, so they are plentiful and tame. In the
summer snorkels and fins can be rented, and fish food purchased,
at the Cove Cooler.
Descanso
Beach, just past the Casino, is also a good snorkeling area. Equipment
can be rented there, and the Descanso Beach Club (open April to
October) offers excellent food and drinks.
Catalina
Dive Shop
On site at Lover's Cove. Call toll free 1-877-SNORKEL or 1-87-SCUBA
DIVE.
Catalina
Diver's Supply & Dive Shop
Snorkel tours available for 2 or more persons, includes all equipment,
fish food and a guide for one low price! Rental and sales of snorkel
equipment. Boat trips are available! Call 310.510.0330 for reservations.
Catalina
Scuba Luv
Snorkel gear rental, guided tours, charters. 800-262-DIVE
Catalina
Snorkel & Scuba Adventures
On-site at Lover's Cove. Call toll free 1-877-SNORKEL
Descanso
Beach Ocean Sports
Rent snorkels, masks & fins at the Descanso Beach Club. Also
kayaks & view rafts. 310-510-1226
Catalina
Kayak Adventures
Avalon and Little Harbor. Rent snorkel gear, kayaks, beach equipment
by the hour or day. Introductory 2 hour snorkel trip to marine preserve.
310 510-2229
Catalina
West End Dive Center
Offers rental of equipment, as well as guided boat and kayak tours.
Two Harbors has a full service, PADI certified dive shop. Offering
boat dives, instruction at all levels, guided underwater tours,
guided kayaking tours and equipment rentals. Call 310.510.4272.
Local
dive photographer Erik Erikson has spent years seeking exotic creatures
and great shots. His page, Images of
Catalina Marine Life, is a treat for those who appreciate nature
and stunning photography.
Guide
to Diving Catalina Island provides
maps, photos and descriptions of 49 of Catalina's best dive sites.
This detailed 110 page guide also includes info on marine life,
wrecks,game cooking and more. Take a look at some selections from
the book:
Hotel
Atwater
Group and discount rates, baggage service to boat. Packages available.
800-626-0720.
Banning
House Lodge
Located at Two Harbors Call 310.510.4272.
La
Paloma and Las Flores
Shuttle from boat, wash down area, storage, showers available after
checkout. Call 800-310-1505.
Pavilion
Lodge
Baggage service to boat. Packages available. 800-626-1496.
Seaport
Village Inn
Features dive gear transport from boat landing, group rates, gear
wash down area, heated patio spa, BBQ picnic area and classroom
gear storage. Call 310-510-0344.
Avalon
Harbor Underwater Cleanup
Takes place annually in late February. Sponsored by the Catalina
Conservancy Divers, funds benefit the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber.
Catalina
Conservancy Divers
Active 200-member volunteer organization, assisting with abalone
planting, ocean thermograph research, the scuba trail at Casino
Point Marine Park, kelp growth surveys, and the Catalina marine
life biodiversity project. Check out their Web site at http://www.ccd.org.
USC
Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber
The Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber runs Hyperbaric Chamber Operations
classes to train people interested in joining the chamber's Volunteer
Crew. Twice each year they also offer Emergency
Diving Accident Management (EDAM) and Emergency Response Diver (ERD)
programs. Contact Karl E. Huggins at (310) 510-0811 or e-mail:
huggins@mizar.usc.edu
Pavilion
Lodge Dive Packages
One call arranges everything: Pavilion Lodge Accommodations, Cross-channel
boat, Boat Diving on King Neptune
or Prince Neptune, Casino Point Shore Diving at Avalon's Underwater
Park
Catalina
Divers Supply & Dive Shop -The SCUBA CAT boat
dive package includes round-trip ferry, hotel stay, one
day boat dive, and air fill &
weight coupon. Call early for best prices! Call 310-510-0330.
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