Dive Santa Catalina Island, California

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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! Swimming freely in the kelp forest are calico bass, senorita fish, sheephead, opaleye, blacksmith and garibaldi. The Underwater Dive Park is located next to the world famous Casino Building. First established in 1964, this park is the first nonprofit underwater park in the country (and maybe the world), and offers some of the best shore diving in California! 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. Water temperatures ranges from 57-61 degrees in the winter to 70-74 degrees in summer, with August to mid September being the warmest. 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!

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