Blue Caverns is one of Catalina Island’s premier dive sites, renowned for its stunning underwater rock formations and vibrant marine life. Located on the island’s front side, this site is more accessible than some others, but conditions like currents and visibility can vary, making it best suited for Intermediate to Advanced Certified Divers with 15+ dives. The caverns feature dramatic swim-throughs and walls, with depths ranging from 30ft/9m to 80ft/24m.
The area is teeming with marine life, including schools of fish, sea fans, and occasional sightings of playful sea lions. The clear waters and unique cavern structures offer exceptional photo opportunities, especially when sunlight filters through the openings, creating a blue glow.
Join us for three incredible dives at Blue Cavern, one of Santa Catalina Island’s most iconic and breathtaking dive sites, aboard the spacious and fast Pacific Star.
Located on the East Side of Ismus Cove Catalina, Blue Cavern is famous for its dramatic swim-throughs, towering walls, dense kelp forests, and the chance to encounter giant sea bass, sea lions, schools of barracuda, and vibrant reef life. This is Southern California diving at its absolute best — clear water, epic structure, and unforgettable marine encounters.
Dive Site Details:
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Shallow reef & kelp: 25–40 feet
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Main cavern & swim-throughs: 40–70 feet
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Outer walls & deeper structure: 70–100+ feet
Most recreational dive profiles at Blue Cavern are typically conducted in the 45–80 foot range, depending on conditions and diver comfort.
What This Means for Divers:
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Perfect for Advanced Open Water divers
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Excellent Site for showing off trimmed out buoyancy while observing an abundance of wildlife.
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Plenty of structure and marine life in recreational limits
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Dramatic topography with vertical walls dropping into deeper water
The Pacific Star is a 65ft x 22ft dive vessel featuring:
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Spacious dive deck
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Bunk room
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Full galley & kitchen
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Warm freshwater showers
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Sun deck for surface interval relaxation
Departure: 7:00 AM
Return: Approximately 5:30 PM
Arrival Time: Please arrive by 6:00 AM for boarding and registration.
This vessel cruises quickly across the channel (8–12 knots), so if you’re prone to seasickness, plan accordingly.
Comfortable load of 28 divers, ensuring plenty of deck space and room to gear up comfortably.
Trip Includes
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Tank air fills
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Breakfast
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Lunch
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Snacks & drinks
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Professional crew
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Hot showers
Please Bring
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All personal dive gear
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Tanks & weights
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Windbreaker
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Towel
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Sunscreen
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Motion sickness medication (if needed)
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$20–$30 cash for crew gratuity
Gratuity is not included and typically $20 per diver for the exceptional crew.
Requirements
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Advanced certified recommended
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Comfortable in California cold-water conditions
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Recent diving experience encouraged
Please secure your equipment carefully — we’ll be traveling across open channel waters.
Get ready for an unforgettable day of kelp forests, swim-throughs, and classic Catalina magic. Blue Cavern never disappoints
Buying Tickets
Each diver must purchase their own ticket online, by calling 310-398-5759, or in person at the dive center in advance. For multiple divers, please make separate online transactions to provide unique contact info for online waivers.
Boarding
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Arrive 45 minutes to 1 hour before departure, typically 7am, so plan to be there between 6am and 6:15am.
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Check in with the divemaster on board and complete required documentation.
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Present your certification; proof of recent diving (e.g., log book from the last 12 months) may be requested.
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Bring all required dive equipment—no rentals are available on departure day.
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Notify the divemaster if you need a dive buddy. There’s no in-water guide, only a surface divemaster for briefings. Plan your dive with a certified buddy. (Call ahead to hire a private guide if desired.)
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Solo diving requires solo diver certification and appropriate equipment.
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No spearfishing, but responsible lobster catching is allowed with a valid CA license. Leave large lobsters for reproductive health.
Cancellations
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7-day Policy: No cancellations or rescheduling within 7 days of departure, but tickets can be transferred to another diver with a name change notification.
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Weather cancellations, though rare, may occur. We’ll notify you as early as possible, and rain checks will be issued for future trips.
What to Expect
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Seasickness: Consider motion sickness medication if prone to seasickness (recommended).
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Meals: Bring your own food and drinks.
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Dive Sites: The captain selects the best anchoring spot based on visibility, tides, currents, and weather.
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Gratuity: $20-$30 per person is standard. Exceptional service warrants a larger tip.
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Equipment: Bring all personal dive gear. No rentals, including tanks or weights, are available on the boat.
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Rental: Rent equipment from a local dive shop the day before if needed.
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Waivers: Mandatory online waivers must be completed.
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Minors: Divers under 18 require a parent or guardian at check-in for waivers and supervision during the trip.
