One Of The Best Scuba Destination In America Also Happens To Be One Of Its Most Underrated Islands
There's a reason that Catalina Island is known as America's Amalfi Coast. Its shores are stacked with multimillion-dollar mansions frequented by celebrities, but diving enthusiasts will tell you what's below the water is far more exciting than the glitzy facades of Avalon. The island is among the most stunning snorkeling destinations in the U.S. and one of the best scuba diving destinations in America.
One of its biggest strengths is the high visibility, which is between 40 and 60 feet on average. This water clarity is essential for enjoying the reason to descend in the first place: swimming through mystical kelp forests and keeping an eye out for Garibaldi fish and giant sea bass. The waters around the islands are filled with beautiful dive sites suitable for all levels, with shore dives like Casino Point Dive Park for beginners and Eagle Reef for more advanced divers. If you don't have your PADI Open Water certification yet, it's a great place to get certified with three PADI schools on the island: Catalina Diving Supply, Diving Catalina, and Two Harbors Dive & Recreation Center.
Whether you're an experienced diver or want to dip your toe into a new hobby in a scenic place, here's what you need to know about planning an unforgettable trip to one of the top diving destinations in the country.
How to plan a scuba diving trip to Catalina Island
To get to Catalina, you'll have to start in Los Angeles, where you can enjoy the good vibes and iconic beaches before catching the ferry from Long Beach to Avalon. The Catalina Express takes one hour, costs $84 round-trip, and departs multiple times a day between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.
It's not impossible to catch the ferry, dive, and then head back to the mainland in one day. But if you're going all the way to Catalina, you might as well stay a night or two to enjoy everything else the island has to offer. Check into a hotel like the very central Bellanca Hotel or get the elite views at the historic Mt Ada, two of the island's best hotels. Pick up a golf cart rental, and you'll be able to explore the island at a leisurely pace, perfect for taking in the stunning landscape and making stops for visits to the Botanical Garden and Descanso Beach Club.
If you prefer a quieter beach, head to Two Harbors on the west side, where you can also enjoy a picnic lunch at Harbor Sands or Buffalo Park. For a drink, Luau Larry's is a long-loved tiki bar where you can get great drinks and burgers. For a sit-down meal, The Lobster Trap is the place to go for plates overflowing with fresh seafood and their specialty, steamed artichokes.