Los Angeles to Avalon and back – one day, two dives
Off the California coast sits Catalina. From its pristine waters to its beautiful hikes, it's perfect for anyone looking for a quick Southern California getaway.
It's also home to some of the best snorkeling and diving in Southern California. Its lush kelp forests shelter a swathe of aquatic species, painting the water shades of orange, blue and purple.
We decided to hack it in a day.
Getting there
It's around an hour on the ferry from Los Angeles to Avalon, so it's easily accessible. You can take either the Catalina Flyer or Catalina Express for about $100 round trip.
Dive one: Casino Point
Once you arrive in Avalon, head to Casino Point for your first dive. It's a popular spot for Catalina first-timers and the local dive schools. Easy access to some great diving, with plenty of fish and kelp to see.
Lunch in Avalon
We then spent some time in town, hitting up NDMK for some delicious seafood and hanging out by the water.
Dive two: Lover's Cove
After lunch, we walked south of Avalon to our next dive spot, Lover's Cove. It's a much larger diving area with far fewer people. Make your way out toward the point and watch for garibaldi, opaleye, California sheephead and kelp bass along the way. As the depth increases, you'll have the opportunity to test how deep you can go. Around the point you'll keep seeing plenty of fish.
Heading home
From there we slowly made our way back to the ferry terminal and headed home at 5pm. There are later ferries as well. Avalon is a great day trip for anyone after a quick change of scenery and some great diving.
Going further
For the more adventurous, Two Harbors is about 20 miles from Avalon and offers more diving, camping, hiking, and a more off-grid experience.
What to bring
- Ferry tickets for both directions, Catalina Flyer or Catalina Express
- Your dive certification card
- And/or Snorkels, masks, and fins
- Seaker Sun Balm–Zinc oxide, reef-safe, and built for a day on and around the water.
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