Zentacle
Get the appSign up

Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Avalon

The top 32 dive and snorkel sites in Avalon, ranked by diver reviews, with maps and photos. Read the Avalon guide

dive sites
32
dive shop
1
reviews
5
Nearby areasTwo Harbors42Avalon32Palos Verdes Estates9Rancho Palos Verdes7Los Angeles6Redondo Beach2Long Beach2Palmdale1
32 sites, ranked by diver reviews
No photos yet
1

Casino Point

4.8(4 reviews)USA, California, LA County, Catalina Island

Casino Point is one of the most popular dive sites in California and deservingly so. The city of Avalon has done a great job making the city and Dive Sites very Diver friendly. The Dive Site itself is easily accessible via the stairway leading directly into the water from the walkway. Once in the water, the surf is usually calm or near calm and visibility is always pretty good (15-100'). Sea life is abundant and generally easily approachable. You'll find a lot of great photo opportunities at Catalina, so bring a camera if you have one. You'll find several small wrecks within easy swimming distance of the stairs and lots of other points of interest throughout the Underwater Park. My advise is to just Dive and enjoy the view, you'll come across many interesting things on every dive! Concrete steps and rails right into the water

BeginnerMax depth 49.2 ftShore entry
No photos yet
2

Garibaldi Reef

5.0(1 review)USA, California, LA County, Catalina Island

East end of Catalina Island, just north of Seal Rocks

BeginnerMax depth 42.7 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
3

Hen Rock

No reviews yetUSA, California, LA County, Catalina Island

Dive Hen Rockock with its rock formations and kelp forest. Great lobster hunting in season. SE of Long Point on the front side of Catalina Island

BeginnerMax depth 49.2 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
4

Little Farnsworth

No reviews yetUSA, California, LA County, Catalina Island

SE of Avalon Little Farnsworth is also known as Pinnacle Rock.

IntermediateMax depth 65.6 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
5

Italian Gardens

No reviews yetUSA, California, LA County, Catalina Island

This dive site is a large boulder-strewn area surrounded by sand. Great for Lobstering. Home to a large population of Giant Sea Bass. West of Long Point, in the front side of Catalina Island.

BeginnerMax depth 39.4 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
6

Suejac Wreck

No reviews yetUSA, California, LA County, Catalina Island

54' Gaff-rigged schooner. Sunk November 14,1980. Eastern side of Catalina, immediately outside of Avalon Harbor in front of the Casino. Anchor to the eastern buoy of the Casino diving area.

BeginnerMax depth 60 ftShore entry
No photos yet
7

China Point

No reviews yetUSA, California, LA County, Catalina Island

Rocky with kelp and sea Lions Around the corner from Avalon

BeginnerMax depth 39.4 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
8

Church Rock

No reviews yetUSA, California, LA County, Catalina Island

Kelp and a lot of fish. Some Abalone South of Avalon

BeginnerMax depth 26.2 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
9

White Cove

No reviews yetUSA, California, LA County, Catalina Island

Sand and rocky bottom. Halibut and rays in the sand with lobsters in the rocks. South of Long Point

BeginnerMax depth 65.6 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
10

Seal Rocks

No reviews yetUSA, California, LA County, Catalina Island

annenomes sand and kelp South of Avalon

BeginnerMax depth 19.7 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
11

Goat Harbor

No reviews yetUSA, California, LA County, Catalina Island

Sandy cove with night time lobsters marching by. Halibut and rays in the sand West of Long Point

BeginnerMax depth 32.8 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
12

Twin Rocks

No reviews yetUSA, California, LA County, Catalina Island

Kelp and associated fish. Can have good current. Sand has rays. North of Long Point

BeginnerMax depth 49.2 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
13

Little Gibraltar

No reviews yetUSA, California, LA County, Catalina Island

Kelp and reef fish Girabaldi. Rays in the sand. Abalone and some lobsters in rocky areas West of Long Point

BeginnerMax depth 36.1 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
14

Doctors Cove

No reviews yetUSA, California, LA County, Catalina Island

Rays in the sand and some Halibut. Leopard sharks in the southern kelp. Northwest of Ismus Cove

BeginnerMax depth 32.8 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
15

Wilson Cove

No reviews yetUSA, California, LA County, San Clemente Island

Sandy bottom and kelp in rocks. Calico bass and Garaboldi. Lobsters Northern San Clemente Island

BeginnerMax depth 39.4 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
16

Valiant Wreck

No reviews yetUSA, California, LA County, Catalina Island

164 foot motor yacht exploded and sank off Descanso Beach, in December 1930. She is listing to Port in 110 feet of sea water. Just North of Avalon Harbor Valiant Wreck is also known as Valiant, Valiant Shipwreck.

IntermediateMax depth 98.4 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
17

The Palisades

No reviews yetUSA, California, LA County, Catalina Island

Pelagics and big fish Just around the southern tip of Catalina Island

BeginnerMax depth 36.1 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
18

Jewfish Point

No reviews yetUSA, California, LA County, Catalina Island

Gariboldi, Octopus and lobsters in the rocks South of Avalon

BeginnerMax depth 39.4 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
19

Torqua Springs

No reviews yetUSA, California, LA County, Catalina Island

Best is shallower than 40 feet. Dive thru the kelp forest, and look for lobsters (there are many everywhere !). SE of Long Point and Moonstone Beach on the frontside of Catalina Island

BeginnerMax depth 39.4 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
20

Willow Cove

No reviews yetUSA, California, LA County, Catalina Island

Sandy bottom with small sharks and some lobster. Various shrimp in the rocks after dark North west of Avalon

BeginnerMax depth 16.4 ftBoat entry
Snorkeling & Scuba Map of Avalon: numbered map of the top 20 dive and snorkel sites, with ratings
1234567891011121314151617181920
Numbers match the ranked list of Avalon dive and snorkel sites. Full map with key

Top dive shops in Avalon

All 1
Catalina Divers Supply
4.7 (334) · Avalon
Book

Avalon diving guide

Ready to check out the best sites in Avalon for scuba diving, snorkeling, shore diving, free diving or other ocean activities? Zentacle has 32 dive sites, snorkel spots, beaches, and more. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best snorkeling for beginners in Avalon?

The top-rated beginner sites are Casino Point (4.8 from 4 reviews) and Garibaldi Reef (5.0 from 1 review).

Are there dive shops in Avalon?

Zentacle lists 1 dive shop in Avalon. The top-rated is Catalina Divers Supply (4.7 from 334 reviews).