Kelp forests, giant black sea bass, and island time just offshore from Los Angeles
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Overview
Catalina Island delivers cold-to-cool water diving with classic giant kelp forests, friendly garibaldi, and seasonal giant black sea bass within a short ferry ride of Southern California. Casino Point Dive Park in Avalon is one of North America’s most famous shore dives, protected as a State Marine Conservation Area with easy stairs, clear water, and small wrecks in a compact footprint. Inland, 100+ kilometers of trails cross Conservancy lands, including the 42 mile Trans Catalina Trail. Non divers get laid back beach clubs, glass bottom boat rides, and mellow coves at Two Harbors, all under a mild Mediterranean style climate.
Catalina is the most accessible of California’s Channel Islands, with ferries from Long Beach, San Pedro, Dana Point, and Newport Beach reaching Avalon or Two Harbors in about an hour. Once you step off the boat, cars mostly disappear, replaced by golf carts, walking streets, and boat taxis.
Underwater, the island is ringed by giant kelp forests, rocky reefs, and sand flats that drop quickly into deep blue water. Visibility typically sits around 12 m to 18 m, with late summer and fall often bringing much clearer water and occasional 30 meter plus days. Water temperatures range roughly from 14°C in late winter to around 20°C in late summer and early fall.
The waters around Avalon include several State Marine Conservation Areas, notably Lovers Cove and Casino Point, which restrict or ban take of marine life while allowing diving and marine recreation. These protections make the kelp forests unusually fishy, with bold garibaldi, large calico bass, and recovering populations of giant black sea bass that aggregate seasonally along the front side of the island. Additional marine protected areas such as Blue Cavern and Farnsworth Bank cover offshore walls and pinnacles where currents are stronger but life is dense.
Avalon is the main hub, wrapped around a small bay beneath the art deco Catalina Casino. It has the most lodging, restaurants, dive shops, and nightlife, plus easy access to Casino Point and boat tours. Two Harbors, near the island’s isthmus, is smaller and quieter, drawing boaters, campers, and divers chasing Eagle Reef, Bird Rock, and West End kelp forests. Away from both, Conservancy roads and trails connect wild canyons, bison herds, and the Airport in the Sky, giving Catalina a backcountry feel far from mainland freeways.
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Last updated: November 21, 2025 • 10 sources
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Trip callouts
Casino Point shore dives and short boats from Avalon or Two Harbors hit kelp, sea lions, bat rays, and seasonal giant black sea bass.
Lovers Cove, Casino Point, and other SMCAs limit take so fish and kelp stay bold.
Eighty-eight percent is Conservancy land with permits, shuttles, and the Trans Catalina Trail to ridges, canyons, and remote coves.
Avalon and Two Harbors are walkable; golf carts, water taxis, and shuttles keep docks minutes from beds.
scuba
Why Catalina Island for Scuba Diving
Catalina is a classic cold water destination where you can dive world class kelp forests between breakfast on the Avalon waterfront and dinner back on the pier. Casino Point Dive Park is a purpose built shore diving area with stairs, benches, and easy access to depths from 5 m to around 30 m, including small wrecks and dense kelp. Boat charters fan out to sites like Bird Rock, Hen Rock, Eagle Reef, and the island’s more exposed backside, where currents and structure attract pelagic fish and purple hydrocoral. Visibility is often 10 m to 18 m, peaking in late summer and fall when water is also warmest.
freedive
Why Catalina Island for Freediving
snorkel
Why Catalina Island for Snorkeling
topside
What to do on Catalina Island when you are not in the water
For freedivers, Catalina offers moody kelp cathedrals, steep drop offs, and accessible training depths all within reach of a weekend trip from Los Angeles. Shore accessible sites like Casino Point and Bird Rock provide clear lines down kelp stalks and rocky structure, while boat dives to Eagle Reef and nearby reefs add more exposure and depth. Summer and early fall usually deliver the warmest water and best clarity, but dedicated locals dive year round in 7 mm suits and hoods. The same State Marine Conservation Areas that protect fish life for scuba divers make interactions in the shallows rewarding when you are on breath-hold.
Snorkelers get much of Catalina’s magic without scuba certification. Protected coves around Avalon and along the front side offer calm water, easy entries, and fish filled kelp forests in just a few meters of depth. Glass bottom boats and guided snorkel tours run daily in season, especially to Lovers Cove and Casino Point, where State Marine Conservation Areas keep fish life dense and approachable. Remote spots like Parson’s Landing and Bird Rock reward more adventurous snorkelers who are willing to hike or boat out. A wetsuit is essential year round, but the payoff is clear water and abundant life a short ferry ride from Los Angeles.
Topside, Catalina feels like a compact Mediterranean island with hiking, camping, and mellow resort energy instead of big city bustle. Avalon has waterfront promenades, historic architecture like the Catalina Casino, beach clubs at Descanso Cove, spas, and plenty of cafes and bars. Two Harbors trades that bustle for moorings, beachside barbecues, and trailheads leading to remote coves. The Catalina Island Conservancy manages much of the interior, requiring free hiking permits but rewarding visitors with ridgeline views, bison sightings, and the Airport in the Sky’s quirky cafe. Whether you want day hikes, a 42 mile backpack, or just a cabana and cocktail, the island fills surface intervals easily.
