The Ultimate Itinerary for a Weekend Dive Trip 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 its accessibility makes it a favorite for many divers—even beginners! This Marine Protected Area has helped to preserve the health and abundance of marine life around Catalina; it is home to gorgeous kelp forests and plenty of fascinating sea creatures. Need help planning your dive weekend on Catalina? Catalina Divers Supply can help. Read on to discover the ultimate itinerary for a weekend dive trip on Catalina Island.  

Day 1: 

Arrival—By the time you arrive on Catalina, you’ve already had an adventure—whether you’ve traveled by boat, private plane or helicopter. Get familiar with the layout of the town as you stroll or ride to your accommodations.

Let’s do lunch—If you’re maximizing the hours in your day, opt for a quick bite on the Green Pleasure Pier in Avalon. Local favorite Avalon Seafood offers fare like fish and chips, fish tacos, clam chowder, and swordfish sandwiches. Owned by a local businessman and commercial fisherman, it’s also a great place for craft beers and microbrews after a long day out on the water.  

Dive in—Once you’re fueled for an excursion, stop by the Catalina Divers Supply location on the green pier. There, you can get your rentals and manage reservations for the trip. While booking in advance is recommended, we can usually accommodate you once you’re on the island. Our full-service dive center is located at the iconic Catalina Casino building.

Start with a snorkel—Whether you’re an experienced scuba diver or a first-timer, you can ease into your dive weekend with a snorkel adventure. Catalina is an absolute paradise for snorkeling. Beautiful marine life and clear waters make exploring the ocean this way an unforgettable event. Catalina Divers Supply offers a Snorkeling Eco Adventure with a friendly, knowledgeable guide. Check out Catalina’s gorgeous kelp forest and all its inhabitants as you snorkel through the Casino Dive Park. This snorkel adventure includes a mask, snorkel, fins, and wetsuit, and it’s available every day at noon and 2 p.m.  Plan for about 1 ½ to 2 hours to find fish, flora, and other fun sights under the sea.  

Out on the town—Once you’ve finished your snorkel, shower up, get dressed, and head to dinner in Avalon. There are all kinds of cuisines to choose from—Mexican, Italian, Asian, steaks, seafood and more. After the sun goes down, you can opt for a night cap at a local bar, or head to bed early for your full day tomorrow. 

Day 2: 

Wake up—Take a nice morning walk through downtown Avalon just as the town is waking up. Grab some good coffee and breakfast from Catalina Coffee and Cookie Company or Catalina Island Brew House before you head out on your next exciting activity.  

Get out on the water—It’s time to dive. Since you’ve already explored the underwater park in Avalon, why not venture out to some fantastic dive spots? Catalina Divers Supply can get you there. For today, book a boat dive aboard the Scuba Cat, Avalon’s only boat that’s custom built for snorkel and dive excursions around Catalina. You’re in for a fun day on this 46’ vessel, complete with a full-service crew, a sun-deck, hot water shower heads, camera tables, fresh water equipment, a camera rinse tank, a head, and a sink. Our dive masters and instructors can help to make your boat dive a memorable one.

Catch an early dinner—After a day-long adventure on the ocean, you’re going to be hungry. Get cleaned up and have a pizza picnic on the beach or a fancy meal in Avalon. Afterwards, save room for a dessert. From saltwater taffy to tasty ice cream cones, there are plenty of options for sweet treats around Catalina. Treat yourself--You earned it!

Day 3: 

Get your souvenirs—Once you’ve had some breakfast and coffee, head on over to our dive shop located at the Casino building. There, you can get some cool Catalina Divers Supply mementos to take home.  

See the sights—If you have time before you head home, take a tour of Avalon or the island’s interior, or take a hike to see some majestic views from some of the Catalina’s best view points.  

Pack up and plan for next time—Surely, you’ll want to come back to Catalina after a quick weekend trip. Maybe you’ll try something new like Avelo, the latest innovation in scuba diving or snuba, a fun combination between scuba and snorkeling.  We can help you to plan a custom diving adventure for your next visit.

Make your dive vacation dreams come true! Reach out to the team at Catalina Divers Supply to book any of our scuba adventures. Give us a call at 310-510-0330, or peruse our website to learn more.