Snorkeling in Catalina Island is a great adventure for visitors and southern Californians seeking a quick underwater trip over the weekend.
Santa Catalina Island, or Catalina for short, was once the playground for celebrities and the wealthy in southern California. Developed by chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr., Catalina exploded onto the scene during the 1920s as a quick getaway from Los Angeles. The island continues to cater to visitors from southern California with majority of residents involved in tourism one way or the other.
Catalina Island is approximately thirty miles from the port of Long Beach and San Pedro, and takes about an hour by boat. So it can be either a long day trip or a quick weekend getaway for most southern Californians. Catalina Island holds a special place in the hearts of many aquatic lovers in California, as it is a popular location for snorkeling and diving within the region.
Catalina Island, California Travel Profile
Closest Airport:
- Los Angeles International Airport – 50 miles away, 1 hour and 40 minutes away (40 minute drive to Port of Long Beach, 1 hour ferry ride to Avalon)
- Key Airlines: American, Delta, United, Southwest, JetBlue
- Long Beach Airport – 30 miles away, 1 hour and 10 minutes away (10 minute drive to Port of Long Beach, 1 hour ferry ride to Avalon)
- Key Airline: Southwest
Closest Major City: Los Angeles
- Los Angeles is about thirty minutes away from San Pedro and Long Beach, the two ports where you can take the ferry to go to Catalina Island. While the scene may seem worlds apart, the distance between LA and Catalina is manageable. Now, the traffic to get to the ports? That is a whole separate discussion.
Preferred Transportation to Destination: Via Boat
- You can take a chartered flight out of Long Beach or John Wayne airport, but that would be a hassle. It makes the most sense to take the boat out of either ports. It is more cost effective option and there are several trips everyday going back and forth.
Introduction
Catalina Island is a great place for those that love the outdoors. It offers various hiking courses that provide amazing views and Jeep trips that allows you to see buffaloes that were brought to the island as part of movie shoots. The island itself is only 75 sq miles, so it’s not very big. And there are only two settlements on the island, city of Avalon and a small town called Two Harbors. But this sounds like a perfect getaway for those wishing for some peace from their hectic lives! And not to mention, the secluded nature of it all means there are opportunities for great snorkeling in Catalina Island.
Where to Go Snorkeling in Catalina Island
Casino Point Dive Park
The most visible building once you land in Catalina Island is the Catalina Casino building. Contrary to its name, this has never been a gambling establishment and rather an entertainment complex with a movie theater and shopping stores. Next to Casino building is Casino Point Dive Park, where snorkelers and divers make their plunge.
As always, expectation is key when you go snorkeling. The visibility is not as great as the Caribbean, or even Florida. Given the amount of nautical activity that goes around in the nearby ports, waters can be less than spectacular. But don’t let that stop you from enjoying snorkeling in Catalina Island. The habitat for marine life here is amazing and it will give you a great chance to observe and swim with these fishes.
The city has done a great job of preserving this area for all to enjoy. The sheer volume of marine life here makes the visit worth it. You will see schools of fish swim around the seaweeds and lobsters crawling on the sea floor. There are two shipwrecks in the area but those are in much deeper areas and more ideal for divers. It will be a great experience for beginner snorkelers to get familiar with marine life. Notable Marine Life: Garibaldi Fish, Kelp Bass, Rock Fish, Jack Mackerel, Lobster, Sea Urchin
Two Harbors Dive Park
There are two towns in Catalina Island: Avalon and Two Harbors. Avalon is the main city, and that is where Casino Point Dive Park is. Two Harbors is located on the narrow strait in the island and is more of a settlement for visitors rather than a city. It is much less traveled than Avalon, so it’s an ideal spot for those wanting peace and calm. The ferry to Two Harbors goes back and forth twice a day and only departs from San Pedro. So make sure that you are on the right boat if this is your destination. There are couple spots in town that can rent you snorkeling and diving equipment, so everything you need will be there.
There are two areas in Two Harbors which you can snorkel in. Isthmus Cove is where the pier is and where most of diving and snorkeling happens. Cat Harbor is on the opposite end of the town and is not often used for aquatic activities. There are lots of boats parked in Isthmus Cove often.
The area to snorkel is close to the beach, before the buoys where boats are. Most of the area is sand, and you will notice that the amount of marine life is very limited compared to that at Casino. This area is more for relaxation rather than actual snorkeling. But you will not encounter any of the crowds you see at Casino, so it will be peaceful.
Final Word:
As one of the shining beacons of underwater activities in California, snorkeling in Catalina Island is highly recommended primarily due to Casino Point Dive Park. Given the easy access to the main port, it is highly recommended that you take couple hours of your time to snorkel or dive here.
The city has gone lengths to make sure that this area is safe and preserved, so it is a great starting point for beginning snorkelers. Two Harbors is very isolated, will take a while to get there, and the marine life is not as good. Unless you want some tranquility while looking underseas, skip Two Harbors. Casino Point should be sufficient in scratching your snorkeling itch.
Snorkeling in Catalina Island Rating: 4/5 Snorkels – One of the Better Options Around!
You have observed very interesting points! ps nice internet site.