Catalina Island

Catalina Island is a Southern California channel island, and the diving there covers the whole coast. The island is better described as a submerged mountain range than as a volcanic peak. A high central ridge is cut by valleys, canyons and sea cliffs, and this steep relief carries on below the surface. Marine walls around the island support kelp forests and plentiful sea life.

The two sides of the island differ. The windward side has sheer coastal cliffs and heavy surf. The leeward side has gentler slopes, sheltered coves, rocky beaches and a protected main bay at Avalon. There are at least 70 dive sites around the island.

Sites include Casino Point in Avalon, Italian Gardens, Blue Cavern Point, Two Harbors and Farnsworth Banks. Giant sea bass are common in the kelp at Italian Gardens in summer. Farnsworth Banks has deep pinnacles with purple hydrocoral on the walls.