Avalon Underwater Dive Park

For some, it's the enchanting beauty of the underwater world and the marine life that inhabit it. For others, it's the thrill of discovery and exploration. And for some, it’s the peace and tranquility of a world far removed from the everyday hustle and bustle of life. Whatever the reason, most people would agree that it all comes back to the unique experience scuba diving has to offer.
Catalina Snorkel and Scuba offers a variety of alluring scuba diving experiences, from Introductory Dives to more advanced Night Dives at the world famous Casino Underwater Dive Park.

First established in 1964, the Underwater Dive Park is the first non-profit underwater park in the country, and has become a Mecca to divers worldwide with some of the best shore diving in California. Those who come to enjoy our clean, clear waters and abundant sea life find it blissfully free of mainland pollution and surf. The depth ranges from the rocky shore to 95 feet deep. The park's bottom contour reveals rock walls, pinnacles and a sandy plane on its outer edges, which is truly representative of Catalina Island's different characteristics.

Water temperatures ranges from 55-61 degrees in the winter to 70-74 degrees in summer, with August to mid- September being the warmest. Because of strict local laws prohibiting the taking of game or salvaging artifacts, the park has become a home for a large variety of marine life. Multi-colored plant life abounds, from the giant kelp to the smallest algae. Living within the rocky reef are Lobsters, Abalone, Octopus, small fish, and Moray Eels, including our friendly "Fang" or the large Sheephead “Oscar”. Numerous mollusks and nudibranches also make their homes on the reef.

Swimming freely in the kelp forest are fish of multiple colors and sizes, including Kelp Bass, Senorita, Sheephead, Opaleye, Blacksmith, and Garibaldi. Where the rocky reef ends and sandy bottom begins, one may also find Angel Sharks, Bat Rays, Banded Guitar Fish and Halibut. Numerous wrecks can be found in the sandy areas as well, which have become home to many types of marine life. The newest addition to the dive park is an archaeological site, constructed by Sea-Lab Catalina.