9 Reasons to Extend Your Catalina Day of Diving Into A Longer Stay

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 long and about 8 miles wide at the widest point. You can discover more of Catalina with the experts at Catalina Divers Supply. Read on to discover 9 reasons to extend your Catalina day of diving into a longer stay.

1.)   There’s another town to explore! Most ferries and boats dock in the welcoming city of Avalon where visitors spend most of their vacation. The town of Two Harbors is just a boat ride up the coastline from Avalon, on the west end of the island. Catalina Divers Supply can take you there. Two Harbors is known for its population of friendly leopard sharks, as well as its true island way of life. It’s a simple town that thrives on simple pleasures: fishing, boating, diving, kayaking, swimming, sunning, hiking, and—if you need refreshments—eating and drinking too. Charter the Scuba Cat with a full-service crew for a day trip to snorkel or dive around Two Harbors.

2.) Get the best souvenirs. When you dive with Catalina Divers Supply, you have the option to book an underwater photographer during your dive session. The best kind of souvenirs are the ones that capture personal memories. Relive your underwater adventures seeing all the sea life at the Casino Dive Park with photos from your scuba session.  

3.)   Book a boat dive. You may have been to Lover’s Cove or Casino Dive Park, but there are plenty more places to dive around the island. Book a chartered boat dive on the Scuba Cat. It’s equipped with a sun deck, hot water shower heads, easy-exit ladders, camera tables, fresh water equipment, a camera rinse tank, and a restroom. The Captain and crew can lead you and your group on an unforgettable underwater adventure. Smaller groups of divers can book the Scrambler, a boat that’s ideal for smaller dive groups.

4.)   Take a wildlife cruise. At Catalina Divers Supply, we love life under the sea, but there’s plenty to see above the surface as well. Catalina is home to many species of sea birds and bald eagles, which are visible from the coastline. You can also be on the lookout for dolphins, whales, sea lions, seals, and the famous flying fish around Catalina.

5.)   Be a happy camper. Get fully immersed in the outdoor world of Catalina on the Catalina Divers Supply Tents and Tanks Scuba adventure. This 2 ½ day program is available for certified

divers; divers can stay at the Hermit Gulch Campground in Avalon by night, and explore the Casino Dive Park by day with unlimited day diving. The next day’s adventure is aboard the Scuba Cat for a two-tank boat dive. ​

6.)   Go for a snorkel instead. Only in Catalina are you able to see kelp forests and so many colorful species on a simple snorkel adventure. If you’ve already done a day of diving, a snorkel day through crystal clear waters can be a nice way to mix things up. Catalina Divers Supply offers a Snorkeling Eco Adventure led by a knowledgeable guide. Snorkel gear—including a mask, snorkel, fins, and a wetsuit—are all included.

7.)    Try a new, lighter way to dive. At Catalina Divers Supply, you can get certified in the newest dive technology: the Avelo System. Avelo is an open circuit diving system in which the buoyancy control device is the tank itself. At half the weight of standard scuba equipment, Avelo truly redefines the diving experience.

8.)   Do a night dive. It’s no secret that Catalina’s waters have abundant, beautiful marine life. But did you know that the sights at night can be quite different than those on a daytime dive? Take a night dive with Catalina Divers Supply, and see firsthand what bioluminescence and Catalina’s underwater night life look like. 

9.)   Be a land lubber. Once you’ve enjoyed ocean time around Catalina, you can take a private tour to see more of the untouched island terrain. Catalina Taxi and Tours offers adventures that will take you into the interior of the island where you’ll get to see majestic views and maybe even some local wildlife like bison or the Catalina Island fox.

Just one day is not enough to experience all the treasures around Catalina Island. Catalina Divers Supply has been helping divers enjoy the island’s waters for more than 60 years. Check out our website to learn more. Give us a call at 310-510-0330 to book the best kind of island adventures for you and your crew.