AVALON ATTRACTION FIELD GUIDE
Beneath Avalon’s Fringing Forest: A Guided Kelp Dive at Casino Point
A two-hour, guided shore dive at Casino Point Dive Park that delivers clear-water kelp forests, rocky reefs and abundant marine life — ideal for medically cleared divers age 12 and up.
Beneath Avalon’s Fringing Forest: A Guided Kelp Dive at Casino Point.
Casino Point Dive Park, tucked beside Avalon’s iconic Casino Building, is California’s first nonprofit underwater park and a prime shore‑diving destination. Here, giant kelp carpets a landscape of rock walls, pinnacles and sandy plains; strict local protections and the island’s distance from mainland runoff mean unusually clear water and a dense, varied community of fish, lobsters, abalone, octopus and other marine life.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Macrocystis Forests and Fish
The park’s fastest‑growing plant, giant kelp (Macrocystis), forms towering underwater forests where calico bass, garibaldi, sheephead and schooling reef fish move among swaying stipes.
Rock Walls, Pinnacles and Sandy Flats
Shore entry reveals a varied bottom contour: rocky reef and walls with pinnacles give way to a sandy outer plane and deeper slopes, creating habitat for lobsters, abalone, nudibranchs and larger bottom dwellers.
Instructor‑Led Shore Diving
The guided, one‑tank format pairs each group with a knowledgeable instructor and includes scuba equipment and a wetsuit, letting divers focus on the marine life and navigation through the park’s kelp corridors.
What the day feels like
What the Dive Feels Like
From a shore entry at Casino Point you descend through dense kelp into clear water that can range from shallow kelp beds down to depths approaching 95 feet. The dive flows along rock walls and pinnacles, then opens onto sandy bottoms and occasional wrecks, with an instructor guiding observations and route choices throughout the roughly two‑hour outing.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this dive suits — and who should think twice.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The tour includes a knowledgeable guide/instructor, scuba equipment and a wetsuit.
Expect a guided, one‑tank shore dive with instructor support and provided equipment so you should plan to arrive ready for a short briefing and gear fitting.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long does the guided kelp dive take?
Please allow approximately two hours for this tour.
What is the minimum age to participate?
Participants must be at least 12 years of age; any participant under 18 must have a signed waiver from a legal guardian.
Is equipment provided?
Yes — the tour includes scuba equipment and a wetsuit, along with a guide and experienced instructor.
What are the typical water temperatures and maximum depths?
Water temperatures range from about 57–61°F in winter to 70–74°F in summer (warmest in August to mid‑September); depths can reach down to about 95 feet in the park.
Where is Casino Point Dive Park located?
Casino Point Dive Park is located next to Avalon’s world‑famous Casino Building on Catalina Island.
Are there any medical or waiver requirements?
Divers must be medically cleared prior to participation, and participants under 18 need a guardian’s signed waiver.