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Try scuba for the first time in Catalina's protected Casino Dive Park. Guided by instructors from Catalina Divers Supply, this three-hour intro offers kelp forest dives and close encounters with colorful fish—no certification required.
Try scuba for the first time in Catalina's protected Casino Dive Park. Guided by instructors from Catalina Divers Supply, this three-hour intro offers kelp forest dives and close encounters with colorful fish—no certification required.
Book with Catalina Divers Supply
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Catalina Divers Supply · Avalon, California
Discover Scuba Diving - DSD offers a first breath under the Pacific at Catalina Island's Avalon, a compact harbor town off Southern California. Meeting at Catalina Divers Supply, this three-hour introductory dive takes beginners into the protected waters of the Casino Dive Park, a marine preserve known for dense giant kelp beds and rocky reefs that shelter vivid fish life. After a brief land-based orientation and hands-on introduction to regulators, buoyancy control, and mask clearing, your instructor escorts you to shallow sites where you'll practice a few essential safety skills. Once comfortable, the guide leads a slow, buoyant glide through towering Macrocystis kelp blades, past bright orange Garibaldi, kelp bass, and schools of opaleye. All participants must be at least 10 years old, able to swim, and fluent in English to join. Because the Casino Dive Park sits near Avalon's Art Deco Casino - a landmark built in 1929, dives here tie natural spectacle to local history. Catalina Divers Supply operates as more than a storefront; instructors act as ambassadors for the bay, teaching respectful interaction with marine life and the preserve's rules. The shop's small-group approach keeps lanes clear and surface traffic minimal, which matters when visibility and calm water make the difference between a memorable first dive and an anxious one. The session runs about three hours and is perfect for travelers who want a hands-on ocean introduction without committing to certification. Expect a mix of in-class briefing, equipment fitting, and two short water segments guided from shore or a nearby boat. You'll learn basic dive signals, weight adjustments, and simple emergency procedures before surfacing with a new view of the kelp forest. Because space is limited, especially in summer, book in advance through the operator's booking portal. Casino Dive Park's protected status concentrates marine life within easy reach of novice divers. Giant kelp clings to submerged rock outcrops, forming vertical forests that bend with swell and collect shade-loving invertebrates. Look for nudibranchs on encrusted boulders, spiny lobster tucked under ledges, and territorial Garibaldi flashing orange among the blades. Water temperature is cool to mild; a short wetsuit is usually comfortable and instructors fine-tune weights and exposure on-site. For underwater photographers, a compact housing with natural or small strobes captures color near the kelp canopy, so bring something small and sturdy. A short dive can spark lifelong curiosity.
Participants must be at least 10 years old and able to swim to join the Discover Scuba Diving experience.
No certification is required; this is an introductory experience that teaches basic skills under direct instructor supervision.
The full session runs approximately three hours, including briefing, equipment fitting, in-water practice, and guided dive segments.
If you are prone to seasickness, take preventative measures (medication, ginger) and discuss options with the operator; Carnival Harbor entries are often from shore which reduces motion.
Yes—compact housings and small strobes are practical; larger rigs can be awkward for a beginner course, so check with your instructor first.
Yes, participants need to be fluent in English to complete the briefing and in-water instruction for safety reasons.
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
