 The Underwater
Dive Park is less than a ten minute walk from the center of Avalon on Catalina Island. First established
in 1964, this park is the first nonprofit underwater park in the country (and
maybe the world), and offers some of the best shore diving in California! This
site has become a Mecca to divers worldwide.
Those
who come to enjoy our clean, clear waters and abundant sea life find it free
of mainland pollution and surf. The depth ranges from the rocky shore to 95 feet
deep. Primarly the park consists of the fastest growing plant in the world,
giant kelp (Macrocystis). The park's bottom contour reveals rock walls, pinnacles
and a sandy plane on its outer edges, which is truly representative of Catalina
Island's different characteristics.
Water temperatures ranges from 57-61 degrees in the winter to 70-74 degrees in
summer, with August to mid September being the warmest. Because of strict local
laws prohibiting taking of game or salvaging artifacts, the park has become
a home for a large variety of marine life. Plant life of all colors abounds,
from the giant kelp to the smallest algae. Living within the rocky reef are lobsters,
abalone, octopus, small fish and moray eels, including our friendly "Fang."
Numerous mollusks and nudibranches also make their homes on the reef.
Swimming freely in the kelp forest are calico bass, senorita fish, sheephead,
opaleye, blacksmith and garibaldi. Where the rocky reef ends and sandy bottom
begins one may find angel sharks, bat rays, banded guitar fish and halibut. Numerous
wrecks are also found in the sandy areas, which have become home to many types
of marine life. The newest addition to the dive park is the archaeological site
constructed by Sealab Catalina. |
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