The First Timer's Guide to the Avalon Harbor Underwater Cleanup
- Diver
- Dec 19, 2025
- 4 min read
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 Cleanup in Avalon, get ready for one of the most popular dive events on the West Coast! Read on to discover the First Timer’s Guide to the Avalon Harbor Underwater Cleanup.
Mark your calendar: The Avalon Harbor Underwater Cleanup is on Saturday, February 21, 2026. Plan for an all-day event, complete with an early morning check-in, the dive, and an afternoon awards ceremony.
Make your travel plans: Despite it being the slower, winter season, you’ll want to book your transportation and accommodations for the Cleanup ahead of time. More than 600 divers have joined the dive in previous years, so being prepared is key. One of the most common ways to get to Catalina is on the ferries run by Catalina Express. There are options to travel from Long Beach, Dana Point, or San Pedro to Avalon. If you’re coming over on your own boat, you must make arrangements for a mooring with the Avalon Harbor Master upon arrival. Lovecatalina.com is a great resource for on-island accommodations and restaurants.
Be sure to register: Registration for the Cleanup is available now at this website. While you can register on the day of the event, advance registration will make everything smoother for everyone. Day of registration is open from 7:30am to 8:45am at the Wrigley Stage in Avalon. On the day of the event, once you present your registration forms at your dive site, you’ll get a wristband. This wristband is to be worn for the dive, and after exiting the water, it must be punched by a divemaster.
There are t-shirts! All participants are able to get an event t-shirt. Divers must have their wristband punched to get theirs. Additional T-shirts are also available $30.
Sign up with some friends: You can register more than one diver when you sign up. There’s also an option to register a group as a Club. To add a club, reach out to the organizers at Catalina Divers Supply by emailing: admin@catalinadiverssupply.com. It is necessary to have a dive buddy, so be sure to plan for this. It is possible to get paired with a dive buddy on the day of the event; speak with the dive master when you register.
Know where to go: There are a few different points of entry for the Cleanup dive. The easiest way to enter is at the Green Pier in Avalon, which is a beach entry. Other options include Step Beach and Casino Point. Step Beach is stair entry, and Casino Point is stair or wall entry. Many divers have asked about diving from boats: this is not allowed. All divers are required to check in and out of the water from land; there are no exceptions.
Get the right gear: Catalina Divers Supply is the best place on Catalina to get all of the scuba equipment you might need for a day of diving. From tanks to suits to weight belts—it’s all available on the island. However, it is advised that you reserve scuba gear in advance. The dive happens in an active harbor where tracking is necessary, so rebreathers are not allowed. Only open circuit diving is allowed, and divers need to be tracked at all times. In addition to dive gear, you’ll want to bring along a game bag or something similar. Check out our website for rentals and info.
Help is available: If you’re bringing your dive gear, great! Volunteers will be around the day of the dive to help transport gear from the ferry terminal -- which is officially called the Cabrillo Mole -- to the various dive locations. Catalina Taxi and Tours can also be hired for transportation help.
You might find some pretty interesting items: If you find something that can be returned to its owner—like a credit card or engraved jewelry—it would be great to make an effort to do so. However, any items of interest that you find, you’re welcome to keep. An exception to this would be living sea creatures! Be sure to leave any animals as you found them, and if you need assistance with removing litter from sea life, ask a volunteer.
Frequently asked questions:
How can I win a prize?
The Avalon Harbor Underwater Cleanup Raffle is famous for its great prizes – Purchase raffle tickets the day of the event on Wrigley Stage from 7:00am - 1:00pm
What if it rains?
We plan to dive rain or shine. Only the Harbor Master can postpone the dive for safety reasons.
Is there a maximum depth and range for the dive?
Maximum depth is 40 feet. Please read the safe diving practices form for detailed safety instructions and attend the mandatory safety briefing prior to the dive the day of the event (9:00am at your dive site).
Will there be diver masters or volunteers to assist?
Yes, there will be volunteer staff, including divemasters, at each entry point.
How can I support the event if I can't attend or wish to do more?
Become a sponsor – Download and fill out the sponsor form.
Make a cash donation – Download and fill out the sponsor form.
Purchase swag
If you have any other questions please email us at:
