Do I need to be a certified diver to take this specialty?

Yes. You must be a certified diver (e.g., PADI Open Water or equivalent) to participate in the open-water drysuit dives.

Is a drysuit included in the price?

Drysuit rental is not included; rentals are available from local shops such as Hollywood Divers—reserve ahead of time.

How old do I need to be?

Minimum age is not specified in the listing; contact the operator for age requirements and youth program policies.

Are there medical requirements?

Yes. You must complete a medical questionnaire and any required Diver Information forms; some conditions may require a physician’s clearance.

What language are briefings conducted in?

All students must be able to fully understand English for safety briefings; translators are not permitted.

What happens if weather cancels dives?

Instructors reserve the right to cancel dives for safety if conditions or impairment (e.g., intoxication) are a factor; contact the operator about rescheduling or refund policies.

Catalina Dry Suit Specialty: Master Cold-Water Diving in Avalon

Adventure Brief

Learn the drysuit techniques that make cold-water diving safe and enjoyable off Avalon. This focused one-day specialty combines three open-water dives, small classes, and hands-on coaching to boost your confidence for winter and deep-water sites.

6–8 hours

moderate

From $464.00

On a crisp morning in Avalon, Catalina Dry Suit Specialty offers divers a compact, high-impact course that turns cold-water apprehension into controlled confidence. Set in the sheltered coves and kelp forests off Avalon on Santa Catalina Island, this one-day specialty focuses on the drysuit skills you need to extend your season and deepen your range in Southern California’s often chilly Pacific. The course centers on three open-water drysuit dives led by professional instructors. Each segment emphasizes buoyancy control, trim and propulsion with an insulated drysuit, plus safety procedures unique to drysuit use: emergency venting, handling suit squeeze, and controlled descents and ascents. In a small class - up to four people - coaching is hands-on, with instructors guiding weight adjustments and mid-water rescues so you develop muscle memory rather than theory alone. Visually, the dive sites near Avalon are defined by bands of Macrocystis kelp, rocky reef outcrops, and clear drop-offs that host kelp bass, bright orange Garibaldi, and schools of baitfish. The drysuit course gives you the thermal protection to linger near the kelp canopy, practice hover skills above the reef, and make repeated descents without shivering through your briefings. Knowing how to manage air in the suit and maintain neutral buoyancy makes navigating Catalina’s variable surge and thermoclines far less intimidating. Logistics are straightforward: the program includes professional instruction, three drysuit dives, standard scuba gear and drinking water; it does not include drysuit rental, required e-learning, meals or ferry tickets. Plan to bring a swimsuit, towel, light jacket and sunscreen; certified divers should carry their cert card. completion of medical and liability forms is required, and students must understand English for safety briefings. For travelers based in Avalon, the course plugs directly into island operations - local outfitters and docks make surface intervals convenient, and small class sizes reduce wait times for gear transitions. Beyond technique, the training opens access to deeper cold-water sites around the Channel Islands and prepares divers for multi-day liveaboards or winter diving when surface temperatures drop. Why book it? Catalina Dry Suit Specialty is not just a skills clinic; it’s a practical step toward colder, longer dives in one of Southern California’s most accessible island dive zones. Whether you want to keep diving through winter or step up to advanced cold-water sites, this focused training gives you the confidence, specific drills, and real open-water practice to do it safely. Students will also learn drysuit maintenance basics and pre-dive checks that reduce gear failure risk. Small-class pacing lets instructors tailor weight systems and entry techniques to individual body types and exposure tolerances. Completing the specialty makes you a stronger buddy in mixed-thermal teams and expands where you can safely log dives along the California coast. Bring curiosity and patience always.

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.