What are the age and certification requirements?

Students must be at least 18 and hold an appropriate recreational scuba certification; additional prerequisites are confirmed during booking.

Are e-learning modules required?

Yes. Required online materials must be completed before the course so in-person time focuses on practical skills.

Is nitrox used in this course?

Nitrox may be discussed or used if instructor-approved and you have training; confirm with the operator ahead of time.

What happens if weather or conditions worsen?

Instructors may delay or cancel dives for safety; refunds or rescheduling follow the operator's cancellation policy.

Are boats involved, or is this shore-based?

This program is shore-based at Casino Point Dive Park, with all dives conducted from shore entries and surface support.

Do I need a medical statement?

Yes. A medical form and possibly physician clearance are required; bring completed paperwork as instructed before check-in.

Catalina Deep Diver Specialty: 130-Foot Shore-Based Scuba Course at Casino Point

Catalina Deep Diver Specialty at Casino Point Dive Park sits off the shore of Avalon on Santa Catalina Island, California, and offers a focused, two-day program for experienced recreational divers who want to extend their limits to 130 feet. Small classes—limited to two students—combine shore-based instruction with supervised deep dives, giving hands-on coaching in a protected marine classroom.

The course opens with briefings and e-learning review at Casino Point, a rocky promontory and protected dive area with clear drop-offs, kelp beds, and a mix of basalt boulder fields and sandy channels. Those features provide distinct training environments: vertical walls for descent practice, kelp forests for buoyancy challenges, and sandy ledges ideal for emergency ascent drills. Expect to encounter garibaldi, kelp bass, rockfish, and schooling perch while working through depth procedures.

Instructors emphasize planning and risk management specific to deep profiles—gas management, no-decompression limits, ascent rates, gas-sharing drills, redundant air systems, and navigation at depth. Training is shore-entry based, so students rehearse donning gear, weight checks, and controlled shore entries before committing to deep descents. Required paperwork includes medical screening and diver information forms; PADI and NAUI students should be prepared with separate liability documentation as requested.

Why choose this program? Casino Point’s proximity to Avalon makes advanced deep-diving instruction accessible without boat logistics, and the site’s steep underwater relief provides realistic conditions for practicing depth-related skills. The small class size and shore-based format allow instructors to tailor coaching to individual needs, reinforcing safe habits that transfer directly to boat or blue-water dives.

Logistics are straightforward: bring your certification card if diving with a guide, a light jacket, sunscreen, swimsuit, and towel. Ferry fares, lodging, and meals are not included, so plan travel to Avalon ahead of time. All students must be fluent in English for safety briefings; translators are not permitted. Instructors reserve the right to cancel dives if a student appears impaired by alcohol or substances.

Catalina’s cold-water clarity, vertical drop-offs, and kelp-scattered seafloor create an ideal training ground where technical skill meets a lively marine ecosystem. For divers committed to expanding their depth competency with individualized instruction and a strong safety focus, the Catalina Deep Diver Specialty at Casino Point delivers practical experience and memorable underwater terrain in one compact two-day course.

Because water temperatures can be chilly year-round, many students opt for a 7mm wetsuit or drysuit and consider nitrox training for extended bottom time when permitted. Surface intervals take place on the concrete platforms at Casino Point where fresh water and shade are available. Photographers should bring a red filter or strobes to restore color at depth. Booking in advance is essential—classes are small and often fill around holiday weekends and summer travel peaks and fall.

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.