Dive-site story
Located directly below the historic Avalon Casino on Santa Catalina Island, Casino Point Dive Park is a designated marine preserve established in 1965. Divers enter via built-in concrete stairs with sturdy handrails, stepping directly into an expansive giant kelp canopy rooted over rocky rubble and artificial reefs. As you descend along the sloped seafloor, you encounter several small intentionally placed wrecks, an underwater memorial plaque, and sandy flats where pelagic animals occasionally cruise past.
Lush giant kelp canopy creating sun-dappled underwater corridors
Regular summer and autumn encounters with massive giant black sea bass
Multiple sunken training platforms and small wrecks including the Sue-Jac
Dedicated diver infrastructure with concrete entry stairs and air-fill trucks on the promenade
Location
Use the map to plan with your operator and confirm the exact entry point on the day.
Seasonality
Late summer into autumn offers the warmest water temperatures, clearer visibility, and peak giant sea bass activity.
Marine life
| Species | Likelihood | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GaribaldiHypsypops rubicundus | Common | ||||||||||||
| California SheepheadSemicossyphus pulcher | Common | ||||||||||||
| Giant Sea BassStereolepis gigas | Seasonal | ||||||||||||
| California Spiny LobsterPanulirus interruptus | Common | ||||||||||||
| Bat RayMyliobatis californica | Common | ||||||||||||
| Horn SharkHeterodontus francisci | Common | ||||||||||||
| California Sea LionZalophus californianus | Common |
Marine forecast
