Catalina Island is known for having some of the best diving in California—and Catalina Sea Camp gives young divers the chance to explore it firsthand. From shallow kelp forests perfect for beginners to advanced offshore sites filled with hydrocoral and deep blue water, every dive is a new adventure. Here are some of the most iconic and memorable dive sites campers may explore during their Catalina Sea Camp experience.
The Quarry
Great for: Beginners, training dives
Once an old rock quarry, this site is now a scuba diver’s dream. Just below the surface, rocky shelves drop into kelp forests where Garibaldi, sea stars, and schools of perch thrive. The sandy flats are a favorite resting place for horn sharks, making it a calm, confidence-building spot for new divers to practice skills.
Italian Gardens
Great for: Seeing giant sea bass
Italian Gardens is famous for one thing: giant black sea bass. These gentle giants, sometimes weighing over 300 pounds, glide slowly through the kelp like underwater blimps. With sandy slopes and calm water, this site feels like diving inside a nature documentary—peaceful, surreal, and unforgettable.
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Long Point
Great for: Advanced divers, deeper dives
Long Point is dramatic in every direction. The reef drops into deeper blue water, offering chances to spot bright anemones, swirling schools of fish, and colorful nudibranchs. It’s a stunning site for confident divers ready to explore beyond the shallows.
Frog Rock
Great for: All levels
Despite its silly name, Frog Rock delivers serious marine life. Rocky reefs and sandy channels create habitat for octopus, bat rays, and bold sheephead. Shallow areas are perfect for divers building confidence, while the deeper edges hide Catalina secrets waiting to be found.
Casino Point Dive Park (Avalon Dive Park)
Great for: First-time divers, training dives
One of California’s most iconic dive sites and a camper go-to. With easy entry, excellent visibility, and tons of marine life, Casino Point is tailor-made for youth divers. Kelp forests, old boulders, and a few sunken artifacts make this site equal parts approachable and exciting.ed around the world. This credential allows them to dive with a buddy to a depth appropriate for their training.
Youth Scuba Diving at Catalina Sea Camp: Everything You Need to Know
Farnsworth Bank
Great for: Advanced certified divers only
Farnsworth Bank is Catalina’s bucket-list dive—an offshore seamount covered in vibrant purple hydrocoral. With visibility often reaching 60–80 feet, this deep, dramatic dive is unlike anything else on the island. It’s reserved only for advanced, highly skilled campers, and it is absolutely breathtaking.
Bird Rock
Great for: All experience levels
Bird Rock rises from the ocean near Two Harbors, but the true treasure lies below. Kelp forests wrap around rocky ledges and swim-throughs where sea lions, nudibranchs, and bold Garibaldi dart between sunbeams. It’s one of the most playful and photogenic dives around Catalina.
Blue Cavern Point
Great for: Advanced divers who love adventure
Blue Cavern feels like an underwater fortress. This protected marine reserve features hidden arches, dramatic rock structures, and quiet blue water that invites exploration. Advanced divers love its sense of mystery and its pristine, rugged beauty.
Eagle Reef
Great for: Intermediate & advanced divers
Located off Two Harbors, Eagle Reef is a sprawling network of ridges, kelp beds, and rocky outcrops bursting with life. Lobsters hide in crevices, perch weave through kelp fronds, and on sunny days the light filtering through the canopy creates pure underwater magic.
Why Campers Love Diving Catalina
From gentle kelp forests to dramatic seamounts, Catalina Island offers unparalleled access to vibrant, protected ocean environments. Each dive builds confidence, fosters ocean stewardship, and gives campers a chance to experience a world few people their age ever see.
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Ready for Your Child to Dive In?
Catalina Sea Camp offers world-class scuba experiences for youth divers—from beginners taking their first breath underwater to advanced teens exploring iconic California dive sites.
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