What you should know about diving Catalina in every season
- Mar 7
- 3 min read
There is no place quite like Catalina Island–especially for scuba aficionados. One of the 8 Channel Islands off the coast of California, Catalina is one of the few places in the world where scuba diving happens all year round. With changing conditions, and a wide variety of marine life, each season–and each day–of scuba diving brings something different to see under the surface. Fortunately the dive experts at Catalina Divers Supply, the island’s premier dive center, can offer guidance and amenities for your diving days. Whether you’re headed to the island for spring break, a summer vacation, a fall getaway, or a winter retreat, Catalina Divers Supply can help outfit and guide you at some favorite local dive sites around Catalina. Read on to learn more about what you should know about diving Catalina in every season.
Logistics for every season: No matter when you go to Catalina, you’ll need to take care of the basics like travel and accommodations, as well as your dive plans.
Transportation: Because of its unique across-the-sea location, Catalina requires a little planning for getting there.
By sea: Travel to Catalina is available by ferry; you can book tickets on the Catalina Express or the Catalina Flyer. There are ferry boat ports in Long Beach, San Pedro, Dana Point, and Newport Beach. Be sure to book your boat tickets in advance, even during the slower travel season.
By air: Maverick Helicopters offers flights to Catalina from Long Beach or Santa Monica; you’ll arrive on the island in less than half an hour!
Private transport: If you or your friends have a boat or a plane, you can fly, sail, or motor over to the island. Just be sure to book with the Airport in the Sky, or make a mooring reservation.
Accommodations: Catalina is home to plenty of great hotels as well as a lot of condos and other rental properties.
Gear: There’s no need to pack your tanks and weights–or even wetsuits–in your luggage. Catalina Divers Supply can help with all of your dive gear needs all year round.
Adventures: Catalina Divers Supply offers some fun options for different diving adventures. Try Avelo–a lighter, more streamlined way to explore under the sea. Go out on a custom excursion aboard the Scuba Cat, the Catalina Divers Supply boat, which can take you to some special dive spots around the island. Go on a guided dive, or even take a dive class.
Spring scuba: From March to May, the water temps around Catalina hang from around 56 to 62 degrees F. Because of upwelling, the water can actually feel cooler in the spring than in the winter. Visibility and clarity can also vary. Spring sea life may feature young sea life like juvenile Garibaldi–with their unmistakable fluorescent blue spots. Be sure to gear up with good wetsuits; Catalina Divers Supply can help with those.
Summer time diving: Summer is when the island is at its busiest, and the water is the warmest, with high temperatures in the 60s to even the low 70s F. Be aware of plankton blooms, which can get in the way of visibility at times. Keep your eyes open for fun sea creatures like the Giant Black Seabass, leopard sharks, or bat rays.
Fall scuba season: Many locals know that fall is one of the most favorite times on Catalina. The water stays warm–around 65-70 F, and visibility is quite clear. You might see schools of sardines or mackerel, or even spot a harbor seal while diving. With calmer waters in the fall, boat dives are a great idea.
Winter water land: Catalina winters can be mild, but the water does dip down to the 50s, around 54-59 F. Despite the cooler temps, waters can be super clear and blue, making it a great time to explore the kelp forests. Ensure that you stay warm with gear like hoods or even a dry suit.
Ready to book your Catalina dive trip? Catalina Divers Supply has been helping people discover the gorgeous kelp forests and underwater worlds around the island for more than 60 years. Head to our booking page, or give us a call at 310-510-0330.
