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Why Fall Is Catalina's Best-Kept Diving Secret
A Catalina summer trip is hard to beat. The town is bustling; the harbor is full of boats. There is warmth and energy and lots of fun to be had in the summertime. And then comes the secret season: fall. Once the crowds of summer have dissipated, the island settles into a quieter rhythm. The weather remains warm and mild with temps in the seventies during the daytime. Fall evenings are quite pleasant too, allowing visitors to hike in the cool mornings and stroll downtown after dinner. On Catalina, fall is also festival season. From Buccaneer Days to JazzTrax, there is a lot to celebrate during autumn on the island.
Throughout the fall, there are plenty of fantastic coastal outdoor adventures to be had as well. Take a walk up to the Wrigley Memorial. Hike a trail in the island’s interior. Get out on the water in a kayak or on a paddleboard. Or do our favorite fall thing to do at Catalina Divers Supply: scuba dive. From great visibility, to fewer crowds to comfortable water temps, read on to discover more about why fall is Catalina’s best kept diving secret.
The water is the warmest. One might think that June, July, and August boast the highest water temperatures. However the waters around Catalina tend to reach peak warmth in the late summer and early fall. Temps reach up to 70 degrees at the surface. Wetsuits are still ideal during this time, and you can get all your dive gear needs–rental or purchase–from the Dive Shop at Catalina Divers Supply.
You can see clearly now. During MOST of the time in the fall, the ocean swell is calmer around Catalina. This helps to make the visibility under water crystal clear. When scuba diving around Catalina in the fall, divers can often see up to 40 to 60 feet.
Calmer seas and better weather. Have you ever heard of May gray and June gloom? What about Gray Sky July? Catalina Fall has never heard of those cool weather phenomenons because Southern California falls tend to be sunny and mild. The fall season also arrives with offshore winds that are lighter and a minimal ocean surge. All of these conditions are a boon to divers around Catalina. They help to make surfacing, entries, and exits all smoother and safer for scuba divers.
Life under the sea is thriving. Catalina’s giant kelp forests are famous, and in the fall, they’re fully grown and gorgeous. With the good fall weather, conditions often create beautiful underwater golden canopies with sunlight and shades of amber. And that’s just the backdrop. All around you as you scuba dive, you’ll have the chance to see bright colors of Garibaldi, lobster, opal eye, sheephead, senoritas, and more. In the fall giant sea bass like to hang around the rocky reefs near Catalina, and sea lions are often at play. Ask the experts at Catalina Divers Supply to help you identify some cool species like the California two-spot octopus, horn sharks, and bat rays. There is so much to see.
Getting in the water is easy with Catalina Divers Supply. Catalina Divers Supply has a very convenient location close to the Casino Point Dive Park. The concrete steps have sturdy handrails, making ocean access super easy and convenient. Here, you can rent your gear, gear up, do your dive, and then return your tanks all in the same convenient place. Another bonus: there’s no heavy beach surf. The harbors and protected coves of Catalina cut down on boat traffic and fishing, helping to make scuba diving a calm and relaxing experience.
Dive with the experts. Diving with Catalina Divers Supply during the fall is one of the best ways to experience the waters around Catalina Island. As the island’s premier dive operator, we’re a one stop shop. We offer gear rentals, tank fills, guided dives, classes, and even dive boat charters.
Have some more fall fun. After a day of diving, catch a show in the Avalon Theatre. Have dinner downtown. Take a stroll for a morning coffee. And then come back to Catalina Divers Supply for more adventures. If you’ve done a day dive, why not book a night dive? Want to get out on the water? Make plans to take a Wildlife Cruise. Watch for whales and dolphins–and even eagles and sea lions–all around Catalina as you get views of the untouched coastline and the island’s mountain ridges–all from the comfort of our boat.
Catalina is a top dive destination. This fall, come and see why it’s the best Catalina diving season. Book your dive trip with Catalina Divers Supply. We’ve been in the business of helping divers to have fun in the waters around Catalina Island for more than 60 years. To learn more, check out our website, or give us a call at 310-510-0330.
