Courtesy Joshua MellinCasino Point Dive Park at dusk.
Catalina Island is by no means a hidden gem. Jacques Cousteau conducted much of his research just off the shore. And when scuba was mainstreamed in the 1950s, Casino Point Dive Park became one of the first underwater parks in the world. One needs to look no further than the Avalon Diving History Exhibit, stuffed with gear stretching back to the advent of diving, to feel the sport’s connection to the island.
But it’s easy to overlook colder water diving locations while chasing your next tropical high—meaning that too many divers skip over one of the most accessible dive sites in the U.S. For divers on the West Coast the commute to Catalina is particularly easy: transit from Dana Point, San Pedro or Long Beach only takes an hour via the Catalina Express Ferry, making it an obvious choice for a day trip or weekend getaway.
Locals know their clientele. Hotel Atwater offers luggage concierge to and from the ferry to help transport bulky dive cases, and Seaport Village Inn has a designated area to rinse scuba equipment. It’s worth noting that both hotels are located within walking distance to both Casino Point Dive Park and Original Antonio’s—a spot which field research has proven makes the best post-dive pizza slice on the island.
The big question for the cold-water curious remains: is diving really worth it without coral reefs and prismatic schools of tropical fish? The short answer—absolutely. Read on to learn how to get the most out of your Catalina dives.
Related Reading: How Do I Stay Comfortable in Cold Water?
What it Takes to Get in Cold Water
PADIDivers explore the underwater kelp forest surrounding Catalina Island, with a Garibaldi fish.
If you’re sensitive to cold water, rest assured—you can and will enjoy the experience. Catalina water temperatures hover between 57.9°F (14.4°C) and 66.9°F (19.4°C) , so jumping in will take some preparation. If you’re not dry suit certified, start by wiggling your way by any means necessary into a 7mm wetsuit, hood and gloves. If you don’t own these, your rental sites like Catalina Divers Supply will have them available. Prepare to carry more weight—all that bountiful neoprene means you’ll probably be adding extra weight, along with the heft of a steel tank.
The extra lead and colder temperatures will affect your buoyancy and potentially affect your air consumption—but it can be overcome with practice and sound technique. Concentrate on relaxed breathing before and during your time in the water. Sticking your face in the water before you fully submerge is also a great way to overcome the initial shock, regain your will to live and give yourself a visual preview of the adventure to come. Between dives, concentrate on staying warm with direct sunlight, layered clothes and hot drinks.
Related Reading: How Can I Improve My Air Consumption?
PADI
Why You’ll Fall in Love
The colder temperature water creates an average visibility of 35 feet, which on clear days can stretch to 80 feet.
The big attraction is the Catalina kelp forests, a dense biodiverse landscape that grows up two feet per day, and provides a mermaid-like atmosphere—particularly on sunny days.
There’s plenty hiding in the biosphere. Keep your eyes close to the ground to spot a rainbow’s worth of tiny nudibranch and oversized black blobs of sea hare. Supersized crabs and lobsters hang on the sandy bottom, and sometimes catch a ride on a fluttering piece of kelp.
The orange flashes are Garibaldi aka “Catalina goldfish”—whose pinched faces look like the grumpy Oompa Loompa of the seas. And if you’re lucky you might see seals, who have been known to “play” with divers by mimicking their movements, or spot the giant sea bass, an endangered species that can grow to be over seven feet long, and visits from April to early fall—making them a seasonal celebrity.
Related Reading: VIDEO Great White Shark Surprises Scuba Divers
PADIA giant sea bass lurks in the kelp forests.
Where to Dive at Catalina Island
Casino Point Dive Park is the indisputable star of the show. With a stair shore-entry, and points of interest at every depth, the 2.5-acre dive park is a great starting point for beginning divers, or anyone looking for a relaxing day in the water. Ask your dive guide to point out the Jacques Cousteau memorial plaque located at 40 feet. Explore the east end to find the remains of a wooden motor boat wreck-turned artificial reef.
Advanced divers will appreciate the deep drop-offs and walls of dazzling color at Little Farnsworth, located five miles to the southwest of Catalina Island. (Just be prepared for a significant current.)
Located to the East side of Isthmus Cove is Blue Cavern Point, a notable drift dive, with anchoring logistics that keep dive traffic to a minimum. (Check out Love Catalina for a list of available charter boats.) It’s also a strictly controlled nature preserve, which means pristine wildlife.
Catalina Dive Operators
Catalina Divers Supply - PADI 5 Star facility located at the Catalina Casino, offering a range of PADI courses, gear rentals and guided dives.
Scuba by Design – Offers fully customizable half-and-full day custom private dives, allowing you to set the pace. They also offer adaptive diving to assist those with physical or cognitive differences.
Lost Winds – For both introductory and advanced PADI freedive courses.
Catalina Island Mermaids – For those looking to take a different approach to freediving, Catalina Island Mermaids offers PADI Mermaid, Advanced Mermaid, and photo shoots.
