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TRAVELCATALINA ISLAND

Best diving and snorkeling on Catalina

Casino Point’s kelp forest is one of the most famous shore dives in California. These are the shops and charters to go with, ranked by Google ratings.

Updated October 19, 2026 · Ranked from 735 Google reviews

  1. 1. Catalina Scuba

    4.8(198)Diving & snorkeling · Avalon

    Opens 9am tomorrow11 min from the ferry

    Catalina Scuba specializes in scuba diving Catalina. We are instructor owned with over 2 decades of professional experience in the beautiful Channel Islands. If you want to try scuba diving Catalina, freediving or try snorkeling Catalina, we have the Catalina Island tour for you. Catalina Scuba tours are fun for the whole family with no experience needed. Looking for things to do in Catalina Island? Planning your next adventure or vacation to Catalina? Scuba dive Catalina or snorkel Catalina at Catalina Scuba. Certified? Book a guided scuba dive at Casino Point Dive Park with Catalina Scuba. Our expert scuba instructors will guide your dive through California's giant kelp forests. Dive Catalina with Catalina Scuba today! Dive shop Catalina.

  2. 2. Scuba by Design

    4.8(83)Diving & snorkeling · Avalon

    Opens 8am tomorrow11 min from the ferry

    Design your own Catalina Scuba Diving experience! Discover the wonder beneath the waves in your own time, at your own pace. Whether it's a day of fun, trying scuba for the 1st time or taking the plunge to get certified, we create a custom adventure just for you. We offer 1/2 or full day private guided diving packages at Avalon’s Casino Point Dive Park including underwater scooters & night dives. High-end gear, concierge setup & catered lunches. PADI certifications plus Adaptive Scuba Diving are available! We take a holistic approach – it doesn't matter that you have physical challenges, cognitive or developmental concerns, or need support for stress and anxiety. Come join us for the experience of a lifetime! This is Scuba, by Design.

  3. 3. Wet Spot Rentals

    4.8(69)Boat & kayak rentals · Avalon

    Opens 9am tomorrow2 min from the ferry

    Established in 1991, Wet Spot Rentals is your premier destination for kayak rentals, snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding on Catalina Island. Located in Avalon, we offer some of the best Catalina Island water activities, including kayak and SUP rentals, snorkel gear, and guided ocean adventures. Paddle through crystal-clear waters and kelp forests while spotting vibrant Garibaldi and local marine life. Join our Science Snorkel Tour, Fish Feeding Kayak Adventure tour to Lover’s Cove, and Intro to Snorkeling experience. As part of the Kind Traveler Every Adventure Gives Back program, Wet Spot Rentals is committed to sustainable tourism, ocean conservation, and eco-friendly Catalina Island adventures.

  4. 4. Snorkeling Catalina

    4.6(97)Diving & snorkeling · Avalon

    Opens 9am tomorrow4 min from the ferry

    Locally owned, full-service dive shop with classes, guided dives & equipment rentals.

  5. 5. Diving Catalina

    4.5(146)Diving & snorkeling · Avalon

    Opens 8am tomorrow11 min from the ferry

    Snorkel tours, Guided Scuba Dives, Introductory Scuba Dives, and scuba gear rentals

  6. 6. Dive Catalina

    4.4(45)Diving & snorkeling · Avalon

    Opens 8am tomorrow4 min from the ferry

    Dive Catalina in Avalon, CA, is the premier destination for all things scuba diving and snorkeling in Catalina. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, we offer lessons and rentals to suit all skill levels. With a team of certified instructors, you'll learn the necessary techniques and protocols to enjoy the underwater world safely. Additionally, our shop offers a wide range of top-quality diving gear, ensuring you have everything you need for your diving adventures. Join us at Dive Catalina for an unforgettable underwater experience!

  7. 7. Catalina Divers Supply

    4.1(56)Diving & snorkeling · Avalon

    Opens Sat 8am6 min from the ferry

  8. 8. Avalon Boat Stand Co

    3.8(41)Boat & kayak rentals · Avalon

    Opens 8am tomorrow6 min from the ferry

Quick answers

What is the best-rated dive or snorkel shop on Catalina Island?

Catalina Scuba, with 4.8 stars from 198 Google reviews. Scuba by Design (4.8) and Wet Spot Rentals (4.8) round out the top three.

How is this list ranked?

By Google rating, weighted by the number of reviews, so a place rated 4.7 by hundreds of visitors ranks above one rated 5.0 by three. Places need at least three reviews to be ranked. The list is recalculated every day from the latest ratings.

How many dive and snorkel shops are there on Catalina Island?

We list 17 dive and snorkel shops on Catalina Island. 8 have enough Google reviews to be ranked here; you can see them all on the map in Explore.

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