Rent or buy masks, fins, and wetsuits from Catalina Divers Supply in Avalon and slip straight into Catalina’s kelp forests. Short rentals and multiday options, plus on-site advice, make it easy for beginners and experienced snorkelers to explore the island’s nearshore reefs.
Rent or buy masks, fins, and wetsuits from Catalina Divers Supply in Avalon and slip straight into Catalina’s kelp forests. Short rentals and multiday options, plus on-site advice, make it easy for beginners and experienced snorkelers to explore the island’s nearshore reefs.
Book with Catalina Divers Supply
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Catalina Divers Supply · Avalon, California
Catalina Island’s shallow bays and fringing kelp forests make Avalon a singular place to snorkel, and Catalina Divers Supply’s Snorkel Rental - Mask & Snorkel is one of the most practical ways to get beneath the surface. Based at the Catalina Divers Supply meeting point in Avalon, the shop rents and sells masks, snorkels, fins, and wetsuits for two-hour sessions or extended 1–4 day rentals. Gear is available from the dive shop on the bottom floor of the Catalina Casino Building and at the green Pleasure Pier, with complimentary fish ID cards and small accessories to help you identify the marine residents.
The scene underwater here favors explorers who like structure: rocky reefs, shallow ledges, and thick stands of giant kelp create lanes and pockets where visibility can suddenly clarify and reveal bright orange garibaldi, curious kelp bass, and schools of perch. These habitats are defined by cold Pacific currents and a coastal shelf that allows kelp forests to thrive; as a snorkeler, you’ll float over a vertical ecosystem that attracts abundant life without requiring deep dives. For photographers and first-timers, the combination of accessible depth and diverse fish life makes Avalon exceptionally rewarding.
What makes this rental service stand out is its simplicity and local grounding. Catalina Divers Supply supplies properly sized masks and fins—fit matters more than flashy models—and wetsuits chosen for Southern California water temperatures, so you spend less time adjusting and more time watching reefs. Renting at the Casino location or Pleasure Pier lets you step straight from shore or a short boat hop into calm water, and staff can advise on tide windows, recommended sites like Lover’s Cove, and how to move gently through kelp without snags.
Practical planning beats improvisation: check daily sea conditions, choose a 2-hour session as a trial if you are new, and upgrade to a multi-day rental if you find a rhythm with the water. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a light towel, and a waterproof bag for wet gear; the shop provides technical equipment so you won’t have to carry bulky items on the ferry. If you’re sensitive to cold, choose thicker suit options—staff on site can recommend appropriate thickness.
Beyond convenience, this rental supports responsible recreation. Using locally maintained gear reduces the risk of poorly fitting equipment that can damage corals and kelp. When divers and snorkelers follow guidelines—no touching, no feeding—the island’s nearshore wildlife remains a draw for future visitors. Catalina Divers Supply acts as both outfitter and adviser, connecting visitors to safer, more sustainable ways to experience Avalon’s marine landscape.
Whether you are testing snorkeling for the first time, topping up a travel kit, or visiting with family, this rental is a practical gateway to Catalina’s underwater life.
Pick up gear at Catalina Divers Supply’s meeting point in Avalon; gear is stocked on the bottom floor of the Catalina Casino Building and at the Pleasure Pier.
Rentals are available for short sessions (2 hours) or extended 1–4 day periods to suit day trips or overnight stays.
No—basic swimming comfort and the ability to float and breathe through a snorkel are sufficient; staff can recommend calm entry points.
Wetsuits are available to rent; thickness can be matched to water temperature and your cold tolerance.
Catalina Divers Supply provides local advice and can point you to guided operators, but this listing is for equipment rental and purchase.
Expect to see garibaldi, kelp bass, perch, and other nearshore species that inhabit Catalina’s kelp forests and rocky reefs.
Catalina Divers Supply is a full-service dive center located in Avalon, California, serving visitors and local divers on Santa Catalina Island. The operation offers a broad range of scuba and snorkeling experiences, from the beginner Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) program to advanced PADI specialty courses such as Night Diver, Deep Diver, Peak Performance Buoyancy, and Underwater Digital Photographer. The business runs boat dives on the Scuba Cat, including a popular two-tank unguided Scuba Cat Boat Dives option that provides access to Catalina's reefs with gear rinse and hot showers. Guided scuba dive options focus on Casino Point Park and the island's vibrant kelp forests, where divers can encounter a diverse marine community. Guided snorkeling trips require no boat and let participants swim among garibaldi, bat rays, and giant sea bass in a protected marine preserve. Equipment needs are met through Individual Scuba Gear Rentals offered a la carte—masks, fins, wetsuits, and more are available to rent or purchase. Wildlife-focused outings include two-hour Dolphin & Whale Watching Boat Trips to observe dolphins, whales, seals, and seabirds along Catalina's coastline. Training programs follow PADI course structures and include multi-day formats for specialties that require multiple dives. Featured on The Adventure Collective, Catalina Divers Supply presents clear trip descriptions, accessible rentals, and a range of guided and unguided options suited to beginners through advanced divers. These verifiable services and course offerings make it straightforward for visitors to plan safe, well-supported dives and marine wildlife excursions in Avalon. Online booking and local pickup available.
Book with Catalina Divers Supply