Casino Point Dive Park Review: Two Guided Dives at Catalina Island’s Famous Shore Dive

Overview

What is Casino Point Dive Park?

Casino Point Dive Park is a protected underwater park located on Catalina Island and is considered one of the best shore dives in California. Unlike many dive sites that require a boat, divers at Casino Point can gear up on land and enter the water from a concrete staircase leading directly into the ocean. 

Casino Point Dive Park is marked by a perimeter of buoys that keep boat traffic out of the area, creating a safer environment for divers. The park is known for its giant kelp forests, abundant marine life, and relatively easy access. 

Where is Casino Point located?

Casino Point Dive Park is located in Avalon on Catalina Island, just off the coast of Southern California. The dive park is next to the historic Catalina Casino building, one of the island’s most recognizable landmarks.

Getting to Casino Point

Ferry to Catalina Island

Most visitors reach Catalina Island by ferry from the Southern California mainland, with the trip taking about 60 to 75 minutes depending on where you depart.

For ferries you have two options:

• The Catalina Flyer departs from Newport Beach but seemed to offer a very limited number of departure times each day. 
• The Catalina Express has a lot more options, with boats departing from ports at Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point. 

Jim and I were on a tight schedule, so we booked the first dives of the day–one at 8AM and the next at 10AM. The only ferry that could get us there early enough was the Catalina Express departing from Long Beach at 6AM. 

If you want even quicker transportation and feel like splurging, another option to get to Catalina Island is by helicopter: Catalina Island Transfers – Maverick Helicopter

Walking to Catalina Divers Supply

Once you arrive in Avalon, Casino Point is an easy 10-15 minute walk from the ferry terminal. 

We hopped off the ferry at 7AM, which gave us time to grab breakfast at Front Street Eats, then leisurely stroll to Catalina Divers Supply, which is located in the lower level of the Catalina Casino.

Gearing Up

At 8AM we met our dive guide, Kris, and began getting fitted and setting up our dive gear. This was our first ever cold water dive (59 degrees F), and my first time in a 7mm wetsuit. Catalina Divers Supply provided all of our dive equipment, including boots, weights, and a hood (second dive).

Casino Point Dive Experience

Entering the Water at Casino Point

One big advantage of diving with Catalina Divers Supply is their location—after gearing up, it was less than a minute walk to the Casino Point Dive Park entry stairs.

We put our fins on a few steps above the waterline, then carefully sidestepped into the ocean. The handrail provided plenty of stability and made the entry easy.

It was my first time diving in California, and the moment I dropped below the surface I saw bright orange Garibaldi weaving through the kelp. It was an exciting first impression of a completely different underwater environment.

Water Conditions

The water temperature at Casino Point was 59°F. In a 7mm wetsuit, it felt comfortable on the first dive, though I did start to feel colder on the second dive. Still, it was very manageable overall, even for me, who tends to get cold quite easily.

Current was minimal during both dives, and conditions felt calm and easy to dive in. Visibility was about 40–50 feet, offering clear views of the kelp forest and marine life throughout both dives.

Exploring the Kelp Forest

Diving at Casino Point on Catalina Island felt a little bit like swimming through an underwater forest. The giant kelp rises from the seafloor in long vertical strands, creating a unique environment to explore.

On the first dive, we entered the water and explored to the left of the staircase, descending to around 48 feet. We mostly stayed along the edges of the kelp forest and saw plenty of interesting marine life along the way.

For the second dive, we headed to the right side of the stairs and went slightly deeper, just past 50 feet. It was on our second dive that I really fell in love with Catalina Island, as we spent more time actively weaving in and out of the kelp. Watching sunlight filter down through the kelp canopy was one of the most beautiful parts of diving at Casino Point.

Marine Life Highlights

Marine life was one of the highlights of diving at Casino Point Dive Park. The kelp forest and rocky reef supported a wide variety of species, from bright orange Garibaldi to camouflaged kelp bass and other small reef fish. Below are some of the marine life we saw during our two dives at Catalina Island:

• Garibaldi
• Kelp bass
• Rock wrasse
• California sheephead
• Senorita
• Giant kelpfish
• Halfmoon
• Opaleye 
• Lobster
• Sea cucumber
• Sheep crab

Salp

On our second dive at Casino Point, we saw a large, transparent creature drifting through the kelp that I initially thought was a jellyfish.

Several fish were actively feeding on it, with one California sheephead repeatedly trying to take it into its mouth. Others circled and picked at it as it floated by.

After the dive, I did some googling and learned it was probably a salp—a gelatinous, free-floating marine animal often mistaken for a jellyfish.

Kelp Bass Near the Exit

One of the more unexpected moments of the first dive happened right near the exit stairs, after we had ascended to the surface. As we approached the stairs, our guide’s finger got bit.

When I looked down, I realized a large school of kelp bass had gathered around us in the shallows, moving in close rather than keeping their distance. Kris mentioned that sometimes people feed the fish at Casino Point, and it seemed like they were expecting something from us as well.

After the Dive

Exiting the water at Casino Point Dive Park was just as easy as the entry. We used the same staircase, and the handrails were helpful for maintaining stability. 

After getting out, we walked back to Catalina Divers Supply where we were able to rinse off, use the bathrooms, and take advantage of the warm showers.

Is a Guided Dive Worth It?

Since it was our first time diving at Casino Point Dive Park, we decided to hire a guide through Catalina Divers Supply. While the site is known for being beginner-friendly, neither Jim nor I had any experience diving in California kelp forests or cold water.

Having a guide allowed us to focus on enjoying the dives rather than worrying about navigation. Kris knew the site well, pointed out marine life we likely would have missed on our own, and helped us get comfortable diving in the kelp.

Would I hire a guide again? For a first visit, absolutely. The extra cost felt worthwhile for the local insight and reassurance it offered.

That said, one of the biggest benefits of the guided dives was gaining familiarity with the site. After spending two dives at Casino Point, I feel comfortable returning and diving it independently. The entry and exit were straightforward, conditions were manageable, and the layout of the site felt easy to understand.

If you’re visiting Casino Point for the first time, I think a guide is a great way to get oriented. But once you’ve experienced the site, it’s also a place that feels very approachable for independent diving.

Pros and Cons

Pros of Casino Point

• Beautiful kelp forest scenery – Swimming through the giant kelp was unlike any dive I’ve done before.
• No expensive tropical flight required – Catalina Island offers a unique diving experience that’s easily accessible from Southern California.
• Easy shore entry and exit – The staircase entry made getting in and out of the water straightforward.
• Diverse marine life – We saw Garibaldi, kelp bass, sheephead, giant kelpfish, lobster, sheep crab, sea cucumbers, and so much more.
• Great underwater photography opportunities – The combination of kelp forests, colorful fish, and good visibility made Casino Point a fun place to bring my camera. Taking photos here was a highlight for me.
• Approachable for newer divers – Conditions were calm during our visit, and the site felt manageable for recreational divers with basic shore diving experience.
• Easy to dive independently after getting oriented – After completing two guided dives, I feel comfortable enough to visit again without a guide.

Cons of Casino Point

• Cold water compared to tropical destinations – At 59°F, the water was much colder than places like Hawaii, the Caribbean, or Belize. A thick wetsuit is essential for most divers.
• Requires a ferry ride and additional planning – Unlike a local shore dive, visiting Casino Point involves coordinating ferry schedules, gear rentals, and a day trip (or overnight stay) on Catalina Island.
• Visibility can vary – We enjoyed 40–50 feet of visibility during our dives, but conditions at Casino Point can vary depending on weather and seasonal conditions.

Final Verdict: Is Casino Point Worth Diving?

Absolutely.

Before visiting Catalina Island, I was most concerned about the cold water. At 59°F, it was definitely colder than the tropical destinations I’m used to, but in a 7mm wetsuit it ended up being much more comfortable than I expected. 

I was also surprised by just how impressive the kelp forest was in person. Photos had given me an idea of what to expect, but they didn’t fully capture what it felt like to swim through towering strands of kelp as they swayed in the water.

My favorite moments from the dives were weaving in and out of the kelp on the second dive, getting close to the bright orange Garibaldi, and photographing the sunlight streaming down through the kelp canopy. 

After two guided dives, I feel comfortable returning to Casino Point and diving the site independently. The entry and exit were straightforward, the diving felt relaxed, and I now have a better understanding of the layout of the dive park.

More than anything, I’m excited to go back and spend more time in the kelp forest with my camera. Next time, I’d love to slow down, settle into a few spots, and practice underwater photography at my own pace.

For divers interested in kelp forests, marine life, and underwater photography, Casino Point Dive Park is absolutely worth diving.