Casino

Casino Point Dive Park is a shore-entry Marine Protected Area located at Catalina Island, California, featuring kelp forests, wrecks, and artificial reefs down to 100 feet (30 metres). The site is consistently rated among the top shore diving destinations in the country and is accessible directly from the beach.

The reef terrain is dominated by giant kelp forest with a maximum depth of 100 feet (30 metres), and the bottom incorporates wrecks and artificial reef structures alongside the natural reef. Visibility regularly exceeds 50 feet (15 metres), and looking up through the kelp canopy to the surface light is a defining feature of the dive. Water temperature ranges from the mid-50s to upper 60s °F (roughly 12–20 °C) depending on the season, and a 7 mm wetsuit with hood, boots, and gloves is recommended in cooler months.

Marine life at Casino Point is notably diverse. Garibaldi, kelp bass, and large schools of baitfish are visible from the surface and throughout the shallows. Giant Black Sea Bass — also called wreckfish — which can exceed 7 feet (2 metres) in length and weigh 500 pounds (227 kg) or more, are encountered at depths of roughly 45–75 feet (14–23 metres), where they hover motionless among the kelp. Groups of seven or eight individuals have been observed together at this site.