There is nothing like scuba diving. The ocean is a big, beautiful place, and getting to explore it underwater is an amazing, other-worldly experience. Going scuba diving can truly be life-changing, and scuba diving around Catalina Island can be especially exciting. The underwater kelp forests house a variety of colorful fish, marine mammals, and invertebrates. There’s usually excellent visibility in the waters around Catalina Island, creating opportunities to see all kinds of flora and fauna on a dive. While you’re out enjoying the ocean’s beauty, it’s important to be respectful of the waters around you. Read on to learn 7 things Catalina scuba divers can do to help the environment.
1.) Be aware of your buoyancy. When you’re scuba diving, having buoyancy control means you are able to minimize the chances of accidentally bumping into reefs, rocks, and other parts of the underwater ecosystem. Work with experts to ensure that you have proper weighting and buoyancy control so that you can avoid kicking up sand or disturbing the environment underwater. At Catalina Divers Supply, in addition to offering tanks and weights for rent, you can also try the Avelo System. Avelo is an open circuit diving system in which the tank operates as the buoyancy control device; it offers perfect and stable neutral buoyancy.
2.) Pack it out. Part of scuba diving includes being part of a culture that practices outdoor ethics. Plan ahead and prepare so that you leave no trace behind when you’re diving around Catalina. Avoid single use plastics when you’re on a dive trip. Be sure to bring reusable water bottles and containers whenever possible. In addition to gear rentals and gear sales, Catalina Divers Supply also offers items like reusable cups, bags and more in our dive shop at the Catalina Casino. If you want to get really into underwater cleaning, you can join a huge group of divers at Catalina’s annual Avalon Harbor Underwater Cleanup.
3.) Keep the ocean clean. Be a proactive protector of the environment. When you’re diving around Catalina, you can keep a mesh bag with you so that you can collect any litter you might find along the way. If there are larger items like boat parts and fishing gear that you can’t grab, be sure to report it.
4.) Be reef-conscious. Dive with a company that prioritizes sustainable practices. Using reef-safe sunscreen is another way to be respectful of your environment while diving. The dive shop at Catalina Divers Supply sells all the accessories you need from fish guides to dive flags, and they also sell reef-safe sunscreen.
5.) Respect all marine life. It can be exciting when a bright orange garibaldi swims by you or a bat ray flaps right beneath your fins. There are more than 800 species to see all around Catalina’s Casino Dive Park. However, it is so important when you’re scuba diving to be mindful of your fin kicks and careful with your movement under water. Whenever possible, be sure to maintain a safe distance from sea creatures; avoid touching them, and enjoy observing without disturbing them.
6.) Educate yourself. Being a scuba diver means being well versed in the underwater world that you are entering. A great way to learn more about diving and about the ocean environment is to take some dive classes. Catalina Divers Supply offers plenty of opportunities for diver education; from open water and boat diver to rescue diving and photography, there are so many ways to dive a bit deeper into scuba. Extra diver education can help you to be a more environmentally conscious diver as well.
7.) Tell your friends. When you share your passion for diving and ocean conservation with other divers, it can encourage them to also adopt environmentally friendly diving practices. Come with your friends to dive Santa Catalina Island with Catalina Divers Supply.
Catalina Divers Supply is a great place for scuba divers. We offer scuba diving and snorkeling experiences for divers and snorkelers of every level. Our friendly staff can guide you through all kinds of adventures.
· Discover Scuba: This amazing dive adventure is a great introduction to the dive environment that Catalina has to offer. On this tour, new divers will learn about diving basics and how to use scuba gear before being led by an instructor through the Casino Dive Park.
· Develop an appreciation for coastal wildlife: Catalina Divers Supply offers a 2-hour boat ride adventure that allows you to explore Catalina’s waters, with an up-close view to the island’s coastline and wildlife. The Captain and Crew will be your guides as you look for whales, dolphins, seals, eagles, and seabirds. Seeing the pristine parts of the island and its waters will surely encourage you to be an active participant in protecting this beautiful environment.
Book your adventure with Catalina Divers Supply today. Check out all the experiences offered on Catalina, both underwater and around the island. Call 310-510-0330 to schedule your dive adventure.
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