Catalina Island, just a short trip by boat away from Dana Point or Los Angeles' San Pedro or Long Beach ferry terminals, is like a world apart from the rest of California. Beautiful beaches and plenty of topside fun keeps non-divers completely entertained, while the clear water and abundant marine life surrounding the island is simply fantastic. One of the best places to dive in Catalina is the Underwater Park just off Casino Point.
Outstanding Features
Located along the northern wall of the Avalon Harbor breakwater, Casino Point Park is the only place within the city of Avalon where diving is permitted, and as there are so many pleasure boats around the city most of the time, it is also the only truly safe site for diving within Avalon city limits. Extending for a distance of about 100 yards seaward and 200 yards along the shoreline, the underwater park's boundaries are clearly marked with a line of marker buoys.
There is a large diving staging area with concrete steps and handrails that leads right into the water, where the rocks quickly drop away to a depth of about 15 feet. After that, you can head to the east or west. Once you get away from the entry area, where dive classes are often held, visibility should open right up. Average visibility is between 40 and 60 feet, but in the autumn months, you can sometimes enjoy visibility of up to 80 feet.
In the shallows, you'll find stands of elkhorn and feather boa kelp, and at depths beyond 25 feet, giant kelp takes over. In addition to the black and white bass, yellowtail, rock wrasse, senoritas, and of course the garibaldis, you'll encounter seals and sea lions here most of the time, and if you are lucky, you'll spot angel sharks and horn sharks, as well as huge sheepsheads. Invertebrates are plentiful; against a colorful backdrop of gorgonians, anemones, and hydroids, you'll find beautiful brittle stars and large sea cucumbers, not to mention crabs, lobsters, sea urchins, and lots of nudibranchs.
In addition to the plentiful marine life, Avalon's underwater park features several small wrecks, including the Sue-Jac, which is the wreck of a cement hulled schooner, a glass bottomed boat, a small wooden boat, and others, including a replica of a 17th century galleon. There are mini-walls and small pinnacles to explore here, as well; in fact, there's enough to keep you busy for at least two or three dives! Maximum depth is about 60 feet along the outside edge of the park.
As you might imagine, the Avalon Underwater park can be a very busy place. To enjoy it at its best, try to visit on a weekday, and try to arrive early, especially if you're planning to visit Catalina during the summer months. It's advisable to book lodging well in advance during the high season, and if you want to dine at a specific restaurant, make reservations. For additional opportunities to dive Catalina and the rest of the Channel Islands, just contact one of the many southern California dive operators that offer regular trips to the area. Whether you're a new diver or if you've been diving for years, you'll find plenty to see at Catalina and beyond.