How many days is the course?

The course is typically three days of in-water training, but some students may require extra days to master skills.

Will I receive certification?

A certification is issued once you complete the required e-learning, demonstrate all skills and pass the practical evaluations — training days are the tuition for instruction.

What is the minimum age?

Students must be at least 12 years old to participate in the open water training.

Do I need to be able to swim?

Yes — swim and float qualifications are part of day one; being comfortable in the water is essential.

What is included in the price?

Daily training includes all standard gear, tanks and weights, professional instruction, shore-based open-water dives and drinking water; e-learning, ferry tickets, meals and lodging are not included.

What if conditions are unsafe?

Instructors may cancel or postpone dives for safety reasons, including poor surface conditions, guest intoxication or medical concerns; additional training days may be recommended if needed.

Catalina Open Water Course: Private Shore Diving in Casino Point's Kelp Gardens

On the sheltered eastern shore of Santa Catalina Island, the three-day Catalina Open Water Course — Private Training turns timid swimmers into confident divers amid towering kelp and clear blue water. Based out of Casino Point Dive Park in Avalon, California, this compact program combines focused classroom review, confined-water practice and shore-based open-water dives in one of America's top shore-dives.

Students start each day at 8 a.m. in the Casino Point parking area where instructors walk through gear setup, safety drills and swim qualifications before moving into the kelp forest. The training follows a progressive itinerary: day one establishes swim skills, equipment assembly and basic emergency responses; day two adds navigation, gas management and buoyancy under real ocean conditions; day three hones skill mastery across two to three dives and completes library exams and practical sign-offs. Classes are deliberately small — up to two people — so instructors can tailor feedback and ensure mastery.

What makes Catalina special is the forest of giant Macrocystis kelp that creates vertical corridors and visual drama beneath the surface. The dive park supports more than 750 marine species; expect bright orange Garibaldi, curious rockfish and the occasional Giant Black Sea Bass. Water visibilities vary with the seasons but the kelp, rocky reefs and abundant fish life make every dive feel like a living aquarium.

All standard dive equipment, tanks and weights are included; e-learning and ferry fare are not. Students must complete e-learning before the first in-water session and bring a completed medical form; all participants should be able to swim and carry roughly 50 pounds for short distances. Instructors reserve the right to postpone training for safety if conditions, health or intoxication are concerns.

This program stands out because it teaches in a true shore-diving environment instead of a pool, so divers graduate with immediate ocean experience and local knowledge of Catalina's currents and entry techniques. Avalon’s tourism infrastructure makes logistics straightforward — ferries, lodging and post-dive cafés are a short walk from the dive park.

The course accepts students aged 12+, and the listed rate is $350 per training day; many finish in three days, though instructors sometimes recommend extra time to master skills. Small classes mean repeated hands-on drills and one-on-one buoyancy coaching, accelerating learning. Bring snacks, sunscreen, a towel and a light jacket for surface intervals — these shore entries require no boat and keep logistics simple.

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.