Isthmus Reef

One of the best dive sites on Catalina Island, Bird Rock varies from shallow rocks to steep drop-offs and a beautiful arch. The shallow rocky area is great for snorkeling and the entire site is great for new to advanced divers. The water is nearly always clear, calm and generally without current.

Not to be confused with it’s close, more popular neighbor Eagle Reef, Lulu Reef is a series of three rock pinnacles inside Eagle Reef on the mainland of Catalina Island’s west end. Since it is a bit off shore it’s best reached by boat.

Eagle Reef is a large rocky structure teaming with life. This is an awesome kelp dive; Catalina Island at it’s finest. This site is only reachable by boat, either private or dive charter. Plan to dive in the morning before winds have a chance to kick up and watch for possible strong currents.

Considered the jewel of Emerald Bay, Indian Rock is full of amazing rocky outcroppings and kelp beds in the heart of Catalina Island. It’s a popular mooring spot for pleasure boats so be aware of boat traffic in this area. It’s best dived via boat charter as it’s a bit too far to swim from shore.

Camp Emerald Bay is home to a long time Boy Scouts of America camp and one of the most popular dive sites on Catalina Island. This is an easy entry dive site from the beach with a gently sloping bottom and beautiful kelp forest right offshore.

Parson’s Landing is a beautiful secluded cove on Catalina Island that’s just as scenic above water as it is underwater with great diving and snorkeling right from the shore! You can even camp here right on the beach. The cove is usually nice and calm as it is protected from most weather.

With over 70 named dive sites, Catalina Island has it all and is one of the most popular diving destinations in the state of California. On Catalina Island, you can dive from shore or boat over beautiful reefs or majestic kelp beds all teeming with wildlife.

A great dive site accessible by boat for all skill levels. Reef and sand bottom with depths vary from 15 to 85 feet on the outer pinnacles. Fun swim-throughs, schools of fish, mini-walls, and overhangs.

Casino Point Dive Park, also known as “Casino Point“ or the Avalon Underwater Dive Park, is the most popular dive site on Catalina Island and one of the most popular dive sites in all of Southern California. Catalina Island is only accessible via private boat or ferry from the mainland so check ferry schedules.

About 700 yards off Santa Barbara Island, Sutil Island is more of a rock than an actual island, rising 300 feet above the water’s surface. Its sides are pocketed with caves above and below water.