From cute little senorita fish to giant white sea bass, there are so many fish in the sea to see when you go snorkeling around Catalina Island. Catalina, with its phenomenal kelp forests, clear waters, and abundant marine life, stands out as one of the best places to snorkel in all of Southern California.
Some of the coolest things about snorkeling: you don’t need a special certification to get in the water and see amazing animals, and you don’t need a ton of heavy gear to have a great snorkeling experience. When you’re in the blue Pacific around the island, you can be on the lookout for bright orange garibaldi, California sheephead, rockfish, sea urchins, sea stars, bat rays, opal eye, and even the occasional harbor seal.
From some of the quaint beaches of Avalon, you can even wade right into the water to spot some local fish, but there are also quite a few more really great spots to have a memorable snorkeling session around the island. There are even guided tours and places to rent snorkel gear on the island. Read on to learn more about where to snorkel on Catalina Island.
Casino Point: In between Descanso Bay and Avalon Bay is Casino Point, a dive park loved by scuba divers and snorkelers alike. While the underwater sea life is remarkable, there’s also something very special about swimming and snorkeling in the waters that surround the iconic Catalina Casino building. There’s a set of stairs that offers easy access to the water at Casino Point, and it’s a designated underwater park for divers and snorkelers. Swim with schools of fish, spot a shipwreck, and even see a (friendly) horn shark at this favorite spot. Need gear for your snorkel trip? Conveniently located on the lower level of the Casino building is Catalina Divers Supply. Their snorkel package makes it easy to get all you need to get in the water. At Catalina Divers Supply, you can rent a mask, snorkel, fins, and a wetsuit for anywhere from two hours to a whole day. Need a guide? Catalina Divers Supply offers guided snorkeling tours through this underwater wonderland too. Two Harbors: While Avalon is a great town, there’s an even more unique place to go on the island: the Isthmus.
Two Harbors, also known as the West End, is more of a village than a town. It offers Isthmus Cove and Catalina “Cat” Harbor for adventure seekers and snorkelers. The water can seem even more clean and clear on this less populated side of the island, making it a great place to see some of the island’s most famous underwater locals with great visibility. You can rent gear from Catalina Divers Supply and spend the day snorkeling through the Two Harbors waters.
Descanso Bay: If your family and friends want to chill at a beach club while you explore the waters as a snorkeler, then Descanso Beach is the place to be. It’s distinctly different than the nearby Avalon beaches; there are cabanas to rent, and food and drink are available for purchase. There is also a rocky little cove that is home to plenty of fish and even some sea lions. Bring your rental snorkel gear from Catalina Divers Supply to snorkel around Descanso for the day, and you can enjoy a drink by the water at Descanso’s famous beach bar when you’re done.
Lovers Cove: Catalina has been called the Island of Romance, so it’s no surprise that one popular place on the island is called Lover’s Cove. This cove sits on the southeastern end of the island, and its status as a marine preserve lends it to being full of friendly fish. This has been a good place to see lobsters at times too. While there’s a bit of a rocky beach at the entrance to Lover’s Cove, it offers plenty to see for a great day of snorkeling.
For the more adventurous snorkelers: Perhaps you’ve traversed Avalon’s local waters and seen both harbors at Two Harbors. Check out some of the little spots along Catalina’s gorgeous coastline. Just a little way down the shoreline are Moonstone Cove and White’s Landing, and just beyond Two Harbors is Emerald Bay. Boat transport would be required for these more off-the beaten path places, but the marine life is sure to amaze snorkelers and divers alike. Catalina Divers Supply runs Snorkeling by Boat tours aboard the impressive SCUBA Cat, where you can explore some of the island's snorkeling spots on your own. Offered in June, July, and August, these tours even offer a chance to see whales and dolphins on the way to the snorkel site.
Are you ready for an underwater adventure? Snorkeling is one of the very best ways to explore and appreciate the wonders of Catalina’s waters. Catalina Divers Supply is a year-round, full service dive shop. You can find Catalina Divers Supply on the Green Pier, at the Catalina Casino, or check out all of the adventures they offer by exploring our website.
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