Catalina Island Named Best Place To Scuba Dive in US

Big news has hit the little island of Catalina this summer: the Professional Association of Diving Instructors—PADI—has determined that Catalina Island is the best place to scuba dive in the United States. Forget Florida and Hawaii. The island’s new accolade has been mentioned in such prestigious publications as Travel and Leisure magazine, with an article detailing what a day of diving around Catalina can be like. But truly, there is nothing like getting into the water and seeing Catalina’s natural wonders for yourself. Get ready to explore places like Casino Point Dive Park, Catalina’s kelp forests, and other amazing dive sites around the island. Read on to learn more about why Catalina has been named the best place to scuba dive in the US.

 It’s a great place to start. If you’re just dipping your toes in the waters of the scuba diving world, Catalina Island is the ultimate place to learn. Not only is there a brilliant marine environment to explore, it’s an accessible starting point for beginners. In fact, the island is the perfect place for divers of all experience levels.

There’s a variety of dive sites. All skill levels are able to dive around Catalina. Casino Point Dive Park in Avalon is well known for its easy access and its gorgeous sea gardens. Seeking a more advanced site to dive? Book a boat dive with Catalina Divers Supply to Farnsworth Banks, Ship Rock, Blue Cavern Point, or Eagle Reef. Catalina’s rocky reefs and deeper waters can lead to some amazing underwater sightings. Catalina Divers Supply’s Scuba Cat is the only vessel in Avalon that is built for dive excursions around the island.

There is nothing like the kelp forests. Catalina’s magnificent kelp forests are so majestic, they’ve been depicted in paintings and on Catalina tile murals like the one along Casino Way. See them for yourself when you take a dive with Catalina Divers Supply to see up close how sunlight glows through the translucent fronds. These forests provide a large, welcoming habitat for a wide array of sea creatures.

The biodiversity around Catalina is unmatched. The waters around Catalina are influenced by two major currents: the California Current—colder, fresher water—and the Southern California Countercurrent—warmer, saltier water. During the spring and summer months, a phenomenon called upwelling can occur, in which cold, nutrient-rich waters can rise to the surface. This supports an environment with rich biodiversity. When scuba diving around Catalina, you’re likely to see so many fish like bright orange Garibaldi, sheepshead, bass, and opaleye, among others. Horn sharks and leopard sharks, beautiful bat rays, spiny lobsters, crabs, octopus, and even eels all live in these waters.  

You can see clearly here. When you scuba dive around Avalon, the visibility often ranges from 30 to 40 feet, and it can reach up to 70 or 80 feet when conditions are ideal. Some of the best times of the year to dive are late summer and early fall.

Temperatures are just right. You will likely want to wear a wetsuit when you’re scuba diving in the best place to scuba dive in the US. Temperatures remain relatively comfortable all year round; winter average is in the mid 50s while summer average is around 74 degrees. September to mid-October tend to have the warmest waters.

The waters are protected. When you arrive on Catalina Island, you notice something different about the water. The ocean reflects brighter blue and green colors. The water is clearer. Many of the areas around Catalina are known as Marine Protected Areas or MPAs. These protected zones play a key part in helping to conserve and protect marine life. The bonus: an enhanced diving experience with abundant opportunities for observing ocean creatures and plants.

Catalina has so much to offer. Catalina is such a great getaway for diving, and when you’re out of the water, it’s a sweet vacation. After your dives, enjoy the local shops, restaurants, beaches, accommodations, and activities on land.

Come and dive with the experts on Catalina Island. The team at Catalina Divers Supply has been helping divers to explore Catalina’s natural underwater beauty for more than 6 decades. As a PADI 5-star dive center, we offer a wide range of services. Our classes give divers ocean experience with highly qualified instructors, helping to develop diving skills. You can go on guided dives with dive masters, or even venture out on a guided night dive. When you make your way to the best place to scuba dive in the US, seek out Catalina Divers Supply at our full-service dive center at the Catalina Casino or at our location on the Green Pleasure Pier. We can help you with whatever you might need for your dive trip, but be sure to explore our website to discover and book the best dive plans for you.