Do I need to complete anything before arriving?

Yes — required e-learning modules and a medical/Diver Information form must be completed before your first dive; paperwork speeds progress on the boat.

Are boat tickets included?

No — training dives and instruction are included, but boat tickets, meals, and accommodations are typically not included.

What certification do I need to join?

You must hold a basic Open Water certification; the course builds on those skills toward advanced drift and navigation competencies.

Is there an age minimum?

Minimum age requirements are not specified in the provided details; contact the operator directly for age-based policies.

What happens if the instructor cancels?

The instructor may cancel dives if a student appears intoxicated or unsafe; other cancellations depend on conditions and instructor discretion.

Are translators allowed for briefings?

No — all students must be able to fully understand English for safety briefings; translators are not permitted.

Avalon Advanced Diving: Cozumel-Style Open Water Course

Adventure Brief

Two days of targeted advanced dives off Avalon build drift, buoyancy, and navigation skills in kelp forests and current-exposed reefs. Small classes, focused drills, and real Pacific conditions make this an efficient next step for certified divers.

2 days

challenging

From $580.00

Cozumel Advanced Open Water is a focused two‑day advanced diving course offered out of Avalon, California, on Santa Catalina Island. The program takes divers into the region’s current‑swept kelp forests and rocky reefs to build skill, confidence, and buoyancy control in real ocean conditions. While the course name references Cozumel-style drift diving, the curriculum adapts those techniques to Catalina’s cooler water, strong surge zones, and dense Macrocystis pyrifera kelp stands. Expect dives over jagged basalt and granitic outcrops, along pinnacles and shallow kelp beds that funnel current and create lively underwater corridors. Key features include Casino Point’s kelp gardens, nearby pinnacles like Farnsworth Bank, and sculpted rock ledges that concentrate fish life. Look for bright orange Garibaldi, kelp bass, rockfish, and—on calm days—curious California sea lions and leopard sharks cruising sandy basins. The course emphasizes practical skills: managing drift and surge, accurate navigation, deep buoyancy, and multi-level gas planning for those progressing beyond basic open-water training. Instruction is small-group (up to 4 students), with all training dives and professional guidance included; boat tickets, meals, and required e-learning materials are normally separate. Students should bring a certification card if joining guided dives and complete all medical and Diver Information paperwork before arrival. For safety, participants must be fluent in English to follow briefings. Why this program stands out: training here puts you into cold-water, current-exposed environments that hone trim and situational awareness faster than sheltered shore dives. Avalon’s dive community is compact and experienced; local boat runs are short, so you spend more time underwater and less in transit. The dive sites’ mix of kelp forests and rocky relief creates photogenic sightlines and varied skill challenges—perfect for photographers and technical-minded divers alike. Logistics are straightforward: two days of instruction and dives, snacks and water provided between dives, and small class sizes that let instructors focus on individual skill progression. Condensed but thorough, the course is ideal for certified open-water divers aiming to expand their envelope, whether to tackle Cozumel currents in the future or to sharpen performance in Pacific conditions. For travelers based in Avalon, this is a practical, high-value way to turn blue-water confidence into repeatable, teachable technique. Seasonal windows matter: visibility can exceed 40 feet in late summer but drops with winter swell; surface temperatures range roughly from the mid‑50s to low‑60s Fahrenheit, so a 7mm wetsuit or drysuit option is recommended for comfort. Because the operation runs small classes, instructors commonly tailor each day to student goals like navigational exercises, limited‑visibility techniques, or underwater photography composition. Completing the provider’s e‑learning before arrival speeds progress on the boat, and arriving with a conservative attitude toward currents will make each drill safer and more productive. Book early; space fills quickly.

About Scuba Women

Scuba Women, based in Avalon, California, runs scuba diving courses and guided dives on Catalina Island. The operation offers a range of Catalina-centered programs, including specialty courses, hands-on workshops, multi-day training, and guided kelp forest dives. Course options listed include Catalina Deep Diver Specialty (private course), Catalina Advanced Open Water, Catalina Nitrox Specialty (dry and two-dive options), Catalina Rescue Diver Course, Catalina Trim and Buoyancy Workshop, Catalina Dry Suit Specialty, Catalina DSMB Workshop, Catalina Sidemount Training, and Catalina Guided Dives.

Programs emphasize practical skills such as deep diving to 130 feet, Nitrox computer setup and log review, dry-suit buoyancy and cold-water techniques, delayed surface marker buoy deployment, sidemount configuration and gas control, and rescue and emergency skills. Several offerings provide hands-on training and small-group guided dives through Catalina’s kelp forests and underwater scenery. The business provides both dry training options and supervised open-water dives where applicable, with structured courses aligned to specialty training objectives.

Scuba Women is featured on The Adventure Collective, which lists the business and its Catalina experiences. The listing highlights the available specialty courses and guided dives from Avalon, California, for divers seeking technical skills, safety training, or recreational exploration around Catalina Island. Prospective participants can review specific course summaries and select private or small-group formats where indicated. All program descriptions specify the training focus and the practical skills covered, enabling informed selection of courses and guided dives. Detailed course summaries and booking details are available through the Adventure Collective listing and direct contact channels for divers.