Catalina Island - Avaion Underwater Dive Park @ Casino Point - Gator Diver

Gatordive · Oct 1, 2012

My girlfriend and I are headed out from Florida to stay on Catalina Island and doing some diving. Any suggestions on shore diving locations?.... How would you rate Avaion Underwater Dive Park @ Casino Point.... It's looking like reserving a boat is a little difficult due to min people requirements... (It's just the two of us).... headed out in a couple of weeks.

fisheater · Oct 1, 2012

The Avalon dive park is THE place to shore dive.

scuba5544 · Oct 1, 2012

I just came back from my first trip to Catalina. The diving was fantastic. There was an easy 40' visability at Casino Point. There is an outfit located at Casino Point called Catalina Diver Supply that you can get your gear from if needed. Additionally, they can offer great directions to some of the sunken treasures this location has to offer. The entry and exit are very easy but be mindfull that they can be slippery and that the bottom drops off quickly. I also found the entry/ exit were easier in the mornings as the surface conditions were rougher in the afternoons (not sure it is always like that). While there, we went out on the King Neptune (through Scuba Luv) for the opening of lobster season. Everyone involved with the operation/ boat were fantastic.

drbill · Oct 2, 2012

I've done a few thousand dives in the Casino Point Dive Park and for some strange reason (Groundhog Day Disorder?) I don't seem to tire of it. You will undoubtedly be too late to see the giant sea bass, but there is plenty of marine life there (it has been treated as a no-take zone for 50 years and officially became one this year). Do a night dive if you're up for it... quite different from daytime as many of the fish and inverts that are out during the day are asleep or hiding at night and new species come out to feed and mate at night.

Lorenzoid · Oct 2, 2012

Last October I was in the same boat (or not!) as you. My wife and I made our first trip to Catalina, but after weeks of corresponding with the dive ops there, none of them had enough people signed up to justify a boat trip when we arrived. We spent two days diving the Casino Point Dive Park and enjoying Catalina. It was a great trip! Where else can you walk down some steps and find yourself in a kelp forest where the critters are protected? We DID see a giant sea bass, which was a real highlight.

TSandM · Oct 2, 2012

I just got home from Catalina. My husband and I dragged 200 lbs of dive gear down from Seattle for two half days of diving -- I guess that says we think it's pretty cool!

This picture, by my friend Kelly Rodgers, gives you an idea of how lush and beautiful the underwater scenery is there. When you add a nice stairway with a railing for entries and exits, and a fill station on site, you have a pretty nice setup for divers.

drbill · Oct 2, 2012

Sigh... nice photo, Lynne. Good to see you and Peter out here albeit for just a hello! Unfortunately much of that lushness is our nasty invasive alga from Japan (Sargassum horneri). I expect one bad year this winter based on prevailing conditions although it looks like Fish & Game may be willing to issue us a permit to remove it.

promocop · Oct 2, 2012

GREAT SHOT!!! Camera??

tracydr · Oct 2, 2012

I saw a big shark and several giant sea bass on a night dive in the dive park.
I could dive the park all day for at least a week and not get bored. Can't wait for another trip.
Have fun!

blue steal · Oct 3, 2012

Another option for diving Catalina is to use one of the charter boats for a day trip. They do 3 tank dives and include food and fills.
Check out the Magician or Sundiver.
I enjoy the dive park. I have noticed that on Tuesdays the Carinal cruise ship is anchored just outside of Avalon harbor and there are a handful of divers that come from that ship.
Have fun.

Catalina Island - Avaion Underwater Dive Park @ Casino Point - Gator Diver

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