Casino Point Underwater Park – California – Southern

25m Max

8-20m Vis

shore

Site Overview

Casino Point Underwater Park on Catalina Island is Southern California's most iconic shore dive featuring magnificent giant kelp cathedrals, California's state fish the garibaldi, and giant black sea bass in a protected marine environment. The underwater park status established in 1973 has preserved extraordinary marine life density with garibaldi fearlessly approaching divers and giant kelp creating dramatic cathedral-like light effects through the canopy. Black sea bass exceeding 200 kilograms patrol the deeper reef while California moray eels inhabit the rocky crevices. The site's accessibility via stairs into the water and its protected location make it one of California's most reliable and productive shore diving experiences attracting divers from around the world to experience the giant kelp forest ecosystem. The underwater park encompasses diverse habitats ranging from shallow kelp gardens to deeper rocky reefs supporting over two hundred species of fish and invertebrates documented by decades of scientific research. Seasonal visitors include migrating gray whales visible during winter dives, large schools of baitfish creating dramatic bait ball events, and diverse shark species patrolling the deeper waters beyond the kelp forest. The island location provides exceptional water clarity compared to mainland sites with visibility regularly exceeding fifteen meters during summer months. The long history of protection since nineteen seventy three has created a marine ecosystem where fish populations are significantly larger and more diverse than unprotected sites throughout Southern California making Casino Point an essential destination for experiencing healthy kelp forest ecology.

Dive Briefing

"Enter the water via the stairs at Casino Point and descend through the giant kelp canopy where sunlight creates dramatic cathedral-like light effects. Explore the reef slope at 8 to 18 meters where garibaldi fearlessly approach divers and kelp bass school among the fronds. Giant black sea bass patrol the deeper reef while California moray eels occupy the rocky crevices. The kelp forest provides three-dimensional habitat with different species at each depth level. Return along the shallower kelp gardens exploring the invertebrate communities before ascending the stairs. The protected park location ensures calm conditions year-round. The deeper areas beyond the main kelp forest feature rocky reefs with colorful gorgonians, sponges, and tunicate communities growing on the vertical surfaces. Search the sandy channels between kelp patches for halibut, angel sharks, and stingrays resting on the bottom. The return to the stairs follows the shallow kelp garden where juvenile fish and colorful nudibranchs provide excellent subjects for the end of your dive. Night diving reveals completely different species including active spiny lobsters, octopus hunting behavior, and bioluminescent organisms in the water column."