If you’re reading this, you must already know that Catalina is a premier place–not just in California, but in the world–for scuba diving. Legendary ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau used to conduct research and film in the waters around the island. Even before scuba diving technology was invented, back in the 1920s and 1930s, skin divers and spear fishers would come to Catalina’s clear waters in search of fish, abalone, and lobster. Then, in the 1960s, the Casino Point Dive Par

There is no place quite like Catalina Island–especially for scuba aficionados. One of the 8 Channel Islands off the coast of California, Catalina is one of the few places in the world where scuba diving happens all year round. With changing conditions, and a wide variety of marine life, each season–and each day–of scuba diving brings something different to see under the surface. Fortunately the dive experts at Catalina Divers Supply, the island’s premier dive center, can offe

In February hundreds of divers head to Catalina Island for the Avalon Harbor Underwater Cleanup. This special event is the only time that scuba diving is allowed in Avalon Harbor, and it’s all for a great cause. This event is co-hosted by Catalina Divers Supply and the Avalon Rotary Club Foundation and proceeds benefit the USC Hyperbaric Chamber, the Avalon Rotary Club Foundation, and Avalon Beautiful’s Casino Dive Park improvement project. If you’ve never done the Underwater

Discover the answers to 10 FAQs about getting your PADI Certification on Catalina Island.

How can you help to keep the ocean healthy—even when you’re on an island getaway? Read on to learn 9 ways that you can reduce your environmental impact on Catalina Island.

Any time of year on Catalina is beautiful, but there’s something special about sneaking over to enjoy an island adventure just after summer ends. Fall is the perfect time of year to get yourself to Catalina Island for a weekend of diving. The temps are still warm and the crowds have started to disperse in the harbor and the island town of Avalon. The island offers excellent dive sites for divers of all levels. The Casino Point Dive Park is a renowned shore diving site, and it

The ocean connects us all, and scuba diving in the ocean is a great way to connect as a family. Catalina Island continues to be the perfect place for scuba divers of all age and skills levels. The clear waters and abundant marine life make it a fantastic setting for your first-time divers to see some really amazing sea life. Are you about to dive into the world of scuba with your children? Read on to learn the answers to 9 FAQs about kids scuba diving. 1.) How old do kids

Marine debris threatens marine life, damages sensitive ecosystems, and even enters the food chain, impacting human health.

Get ready to explore amazing dive sites around the island. Learn more about why Catalina has been named the best place to scuba dive in the US.

The main town on Catalina Island—Avalon—measures just a bit larger than 2.8 square miles. You would think that a day-long getaway on Catalina would be enough time to see all the sites around the island. But once you get into the laid-back island lifestyle, living life on island time, and exploring more of the land and sea around you, you’ll find that just 24 hours on Catalina is not long enough. In total, Catalina is approximately 76 square miles in area. It spans 22 miles lo

Snorkeling on Catalina is unparalleled. You don’t need any prior snorkel skills to participate; you just need to be able to swim.

If you’re coming to Catalina as a visitor, chances are, you’re an ocean-lover. In an island locale like Catalina, we depend on and appreciate the ocean deeply. From our oceans, we get fresh seafood, clean oxygen in our air, a place to boat and swim, and a whole underwater world to explore while scuba diving. Things like pollution and littering, destruction of habitats, climate change, and overfishing can cause problems for the ocean environment. It is so important that we tr

There are so many great dive spots around Catalina Island, but did you know that you can’t scuba dive in Avalon Harbor? 364 days a year, scuba diving in Avalon Harbor is not allowed. But on one particular date, you can get your gear on and scuba dive throughout Avalon Harbor. The Avalon Harbor Underwater Cleanup happens once a year, and it’s the only time that scuba divers can explore Avalon Harbor. On this special day, it’s diving with a purpose. This event attracts hundreds

Read on to learn more about why you should dive Catalina Island.

From cute little senorita fish to giant white sea bass, there are so many fish in the sea to see when you go snorkeling around Catalina Island. Catalina, with its phenomenal kelp forests, clear waters, and abundant marine life , stands out as one of the best places to snorkel in all of Southern California. Some of the coolest things about snorkeling: you don’t need a special certification to get in the water and see amazing animals, and you don’t need a ton of heavy gear to h

Sunbathe. Shop. Sip. Stroll. Sightsee. There are plenty of on-land activities to do while you’re visiting Catalina Island. Avalon is such a charming island town, and it truly has a little something for everyone. If you’re more of a water lover, there is so much to explore all around the clear Pacific Ocean waters. Whether you’re an expert underwater or you’re looking to try something new, you’ll have a lot of different options to choose from. Read on to learn about 7 Catalina

There is nothing like scuba diving. The ocean is a big, beautiful place, and getting to explore it underwater is an amazing,...

In the 1966 film The Glass Bottom Boat, Doris Day stars as a part-time mermaid who occasionally helps her father’s boat business. She dazzles audiences by swimming beneath the glass bottom boat, wearing a glittery top and tail in the waters around Catalina Island. While the film is actually more of a spy caper, viewers get a glimpse of the lovely scenery around Avalon, including the Holly Hill House and the Casino. You even see the star mermaid get reeled in by a fisherman ri

When you think of diving under the surface of the ocean, do you think of forests? The giant kelp forests abound all around the waters...

For thousands of years, humans have explored the waters all around Catalina Island. The first native populations of Catalina would hunt...