Catalina Island Kelp Forest Diving: What to Expect

Photo by Explorers Photography

One of the things people praise California for the most is its abundant natural beauty. There are the majestic giant redwoods, the magical deserts, the gorgeous cliffs at Big Sur, and off the coast is one of the world's most intriguing ecosystems. California’s kelp forests extend from the northern part of the state all the way down to Baja. Monterey Bay, La Jolla, and Catalina Island are three of the most well known areas that are home to sizable kelp forests–unique ecosystems that need cool, nutrient-dense water to thrive. Giant kelp is the world’s largest marine algae, and it can grow up to two feet per day. 

Of all the kelp forests in California, there’s something special about Catalina’s underwater gardens that make it a favorite for scuba divers. Diving through the amber stalks of kelp–especially when the sun shines through the water–is an ethereal, unmatched experience. Coming face-to-face with marvelous marine life is also an other worldly experience; you’re a visitor to this environment, after all. Are you planning for a memorable dive trip soon? Catalina Divers Supply can help. Read on to learn more about what to expect when you’re kelp forest diving around Catalina Island.  

Diving here is dynamic. You can scuba in the same location around Catalina several times, and the experience will never be the same. The kelp forests are always moving with the surge of ocean water, and the stalks of the kelp create a new maze of diving pathways every time. 

Proceed with caution. In the marine protected areas around Catalina Island, divers need to navigate carefully. There are clearings in the kelp forests that you can typically swim through. In dense patches, be sure to move slowly. It is essential that you keep your dive gear from getting caught on or tangled in the kelp.

Buoyancy is your best friend. Divers are nature lovers by nature, and caring for the delicate ocean ecosystems is an inherent responsibility. Finding a balanced buoyancy–staying off the sea floor and away from the surface canopy of kelp–is key to a successful scuba dive. Catalina Divers Supply can help with divers’ buoyancy. Consider doing a dive using the Avelo system, which is nearly half the weight of standard scuba equipment. Through its special technology, Avelo helps to provide perfect, stable neutral buoyancy throughout your dive.

Explore the sunlight zone. The kelp forests around Catalina are home to hundreds of species. Here are just a few of the ones you may encounter: 

• California’s state marine fish: The Garibaldi are unmistakable local residents, easy to spot with their bright orange color. Juveniles seem to glow with iridescent blue-violet on their scales. 

• Masters of disguise: Kelp bass, octopus, and eels are just a few of the sea creatures that you might see–if you look closely–in the kelp forest. The camouflaged kelp bass often hang among kelp stalks, and octopus and eels are known to hide in the crevices of rocks and reefs. 

• More colorful fish: From California sheephead to opaleye, there are fish of many colors and some silvery ones too. 

• Meet some mammals: Around Catalina, sea lions and harbor seals love to dart in and out of the kelp forest.

It can be a spiritual experience. Some divers have described the view of a daytime dive in the kelp forest as the “cathedral effect.” You’ll see why. When sunlight beams through a canopy of kelp,a golden glow occurs–much like light shining through stained glass in a church window. The combination of deeper water and light from the sun make for an array of shifting shadows and amazing contrasts. As a marine protected area, the Casino Dive Park is truly a sanctuary. 

Scuba is a year round sport. Around Catalina, the water temperatures can range from the mid-50s to the low-70s, depending on the season. Catalina Divers Supply has wetsuits to help keep you comfortable on your dives, no matter the temperature. 

Boats are an option. Maybe you’ve spent a day exploring the Casino Dive Park already, and you’re looking for another kind of underwater adventure. Catalina Divers Supply runs boat dives aboard the Scuba Cat, and they can transport you to some of the more remote kelp forests in other areas around the island. Exploring on a boat dive gives you the opportunity to possibly see some schools of pelagic fish like yellowtail or barracuda and other wildlife around the island. 

Catalina Divers Supply is the best place to get started when you’re diving the Catalina Island kelp forests. Learn something new in one of our dive classes, or plan a custom scuba adventure. From our convenient location to our plentiful amenities, we can help you with your days of diving on Catalina, from start to finish. 

Book a dive today! Check out our website to discover all the adventure options we offer. Book an experience online, or give us a call at 310-510-0330 to learn more.