Diving Through The Kelp Forests Of Catalina Is A Magical Southern California Adventure That Will Light Up Your Soul
By Natasha Kayes|Published January 31, 2023
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Natasha Kayes
Author
I was born and raised in sunny Southern California and will never tire of the West Coast, although I spent several years living in Southeast Asia, about as far from California as you can get. Wherever I am in the world, I love straying from the beaten path, experiencing local life, and discovering hidden gems - camera in hand. The beach is my happy place and when I am not there (or writing), you will usually find me baking, watching movies, and cuddling my pugs. I have traveled around the country and around the world, and it never, ever gets old. Being able to combine my passion for travel and my love of writing is nothing short of a dream.
Catalina Island’s Avalon Bay, just 22 miles off the coast of California, is known for its gorgeous turquoise waters. From kayaking and sailing to snorkeling and glass bottom boat tours, visitors love taking to the water off the island’s shore. What many don’t know is that the best dive site in Southern California lies right near Avalon’s famous Casino building.
There are several coves and areas that are good for snorkeling, but the Casino Point Dive Park offers a truly enchanting dive spot that does not disappoint.
If you would like to get your diving certification, have an expert guide show you the way, or rent quality scuba gear, we recommend visiting Diving Catalina. They even rent Go-Pro cameras to film your adventure.
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The clear blue waters of Casino Point reach as deep as 95 feet below the surface and are home to stunning kelp forests.
One of the most common fish that occupy the Catalina waters is the brightly-colored California Garibaldi. Their color is bold and so is their personality. They are not afraid to come quite close to human visitors, some even having eaten from divers' hands.
You will have to keep a keen eye out to see these giant kelp-fish. Despite their size, they can be hard to spot because of their coloring and markings that make them blend in with the leaves of kelp around them.
There is so much life in every area of the Dive Park. In the caves and crevices of the rocky reef, you will often find Moray eels, lobsters, and abalone.
Have you ever seen a Nudibranch? These strangely-shaped and vibrantly-colored fish are a highlight of many divers' experiences and are sought out by underwater photographers.
From the stony reef to the sand beyond, countless creatures go about their lives. You should not be surprised to see an octopus, a halibut, bat rays, or even angel sharks.
In the sandy areas past the reef, there are numerous boat wrecks which have also become home to a variety of sea critters.
There is an unbelievable underwater world waiting to be explored at Southern California’s best dive site. Have you been diving or snorkeling around Catalina Island? What do you think of Casino Point Dive Park? If you are looking for another great undersea area in SoCal, check out our other article on diving and snorkeling in La Jolla.
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