Location: 26 Miles from Long Beach & San Pedro Harbor
Access: Dive boats and limited shore entry. Easy boat diving (best option)
Depths: All depth ranges. 20 ft to 130ft+
Photography: Easy to Advanced
How to Book Trips:
See our boat schedule here or call us at the shop 310-398-5759
Catalina Island Details:
Catalina Island is a favorite destination for many divers world wide. Just two hours from San Pedro Harbor, this island offers healthy Kelp beds, a variety of sea life, pinnacles, walls and much more! The "front side" is the leeward (sheltered side) of the island and offers some of the best water clarity 30'-100'+. Catalina Island provides some of, if not the best diving conditions in Southern California. Currents are generally mild and there's always a calm and clear site to dive.
Farnsworth Bank 
Farnsworth is one of the most sought-after dive spots in California. Weather conditions have to be just right to reach it, because it's on Catalina's exposed backside, but the marine life here is very rich and abundant. Several different sea pinnacles make up this dive site; the shallowest coming to within 60ft/18m of the surface. Diving here is for Advanced Certified Divers and up, due to the depth and current at this location.
Farnsworth is home to the rare Purple Hydrocoral (Allopora californica). Purple Hydrocoral is one of the few species of Hard Corals that exists in our cold waters. The pinnacle is covered with the coral and makes great picture opportunities. Some experts suggest that this coral variety is a distinct species that is unique only to this site.
Look but don't touch as the coral is protected!
Avalon Dive Park, “Casino Point”
Marked by buoys and rope . Numerous wrecks and marine life scatter this protected site! When diving Casino Point it is recommended to stay within the bounds negated by the Dive location.
Casino Point is full of Healthy Kelp beds and many residents unique to this location, including bright orange garibaldi, señoritas, and perch. Even the large, tri-colored male sheephead, usually wary, are welcoming. Large and bold calico bass (a.k.a. kelp bass) are commonly seen, and in late spring and summer, huge black sea bass patrol the outer edges of the kelp forest. Casino Point is definitely a rewarding dive location for all!
Most Popular Dive Sites at Catalina Island:
- Indian Rock
- Eel Cove
- Big Gieger
- Little Gieger
- Blue Caverns
- Isthmus Reef
- Farnsworth Bank
- Little Farnsworth
- Church Rock
- Seal Rocks
- Lion's Head
- Eagle Reef
- Ship Rock
