Do I need to be certified to take this course?

Yes — participants must hold a recreational scuba certification (e.g., Open Water) to enroll in the Nitrox specialty options.

Is ferry fare included?

No — ferry tickets, meals, and accommodations are not included in the course price; shore-based dives and drinking water are included.

How many students per class?

Classes are limited to up to 4 people to ensure hands-on instruction and individualized computer setup.

Are there any paperwork or medical requirements?

Yes — you must complete a medical Diver Information form, liability paperwork (PADI/NAUI), and a training contract before participating.

Can I bring a translator?

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

What happens if a student appears intoxicated?

Instructors have the right to cancel all dives if a participant appears intoxicated on any alcohol or substance for safety reasons.

Catalina Nitrox Specialty Course in Avalon: Boost Your Dive Skills with Nitrox

Adventure Brief

Fast, focused, and practical—Catalina’s Nitrox Specialty Course in Avalon teaches computer setup, mix management, and logging in small shore-based classes. Choose a dry clinic or two Nitrox dives to extend bottom time and build confidence in kelp-forest waters.

3–6 hours

moderate

From $58.00

Off the southern California coast, Avalon on Santa Catalina Island is the entry point for a concise, skill-focused dive clinic: the Catalina Nitrox Specialty Course. Run as a one-day program from Avalon, this course gives certified divers a practical way to extend bottom time, sharpen gas management, and learn how to program and log Nitrox dives—offered as a shore-based dry option or as two Nitrox dives. The island’s underwater terrain is why divers come: golden ribbons of giant kelp rise from rocky reefs, creating a vertical forest where Garibaldi brightness, kelp bass, and foraging sea lions weave through columns of stipe and blade. Shore-entry sites near Avalon give immediate access to rocky ledges, pockets of sandy bottom, and small caves that make for ideal Nitrox training—easy navigation, clear markers for computer practice, and manageable depths for focused exercises. What makes this offering stand out is the format: small classes capped at four students, hands-on computer reviews, and time dedicated to setting mixes and completing Nitrox logs. Two options let you choose a dry, knowledge-focused clinic or tangible two-dive experience on Nitrox. The program includes shore-based dives and drinking water; ferry tickets, meals, and accommodations are not included. Participants must complete medical and liability paperwork and be able to fully understand English for safety briefings. Instructors reserve the right to cancel dives if a participant appears intoxicated. For travelers staying in Avalon, this course is an efficient upgrade to your dive resume and confidence—learn to extend no-decompression time safely and manage oxygen exposure without the pressure of a large class or boat schedule. The proximity to the Casino Point Marine Park and nearby coves means you’ll be diving iconic Southern California kelp forest that supports a high density of visible marine life, even on short shore dives. Practical tips: bring a light jacket, sunscreen, swimsuit, towel, and certification card if doing guided dives. Expect a one-day commitment with classroom and in-water components; mixed experience levels are accommodated, but solid buoyancy control helps. Completing this specialty here pairs technical benefit with some of California’s most accessible kelp landscapes, making it an ideal day upgrade for weekend visitors or divers arriving by ferry. If you’re looking to increase bottom time responsibly and sharpen computer skills in a high-value, low-overhead setting, this Catalina Nitrox course out of Avalon delivers focused training in a famously dive-rich corner of Southern California. Plan to bring your dive log book and a charged dive computer battery; instructors will walk through computer settings and error-checking. Classes move at a deliberate pace to build skill rather than check boxes. With small groups and shore-access convenience, this Nitrox specialty is an effective way to upgrade your dives while enjoying Avalon’s scenery.

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.