Do I need a certification to enroll?

You should have Open Water certification for most deep-diving specialties; check operator prerequisites—some allow course progression during training.

Are tanks and weights provided?

Yes, the course includes tanks and weights, but confirm boat tickets and any additional gear needs with the operator.

What age can participate?

Age minimums vary by certifying agency; confirm with the operator if you are under 18 or have special circumstances.

What happens if weather cancels dives?

Instructors may reschedule or refund per their cancellation policy; operators will prioritize safety and may postpone due to sea conditions.

Is medical clearance required?

Yes, you must complete a medical form and disclose any conditions; further physician clearance may be required for certain issues.

Will I get certification after the course?

Completion yields specialty credit per the certifying agency once all academic and in-water requirements are satisfied; check e-learning prerequisites ahead of time.

Cozumel Deep Diver Specialty: Deep Diving Course off Avalon, CA

Adventure Brief

A two-day, small-group deep-diving course run out of Avalon that teaches procedures for dives to 130 feet. Hands-on instruction, tanks and weights provided, and close access to kelp forests and steep reef walls make this a high-value chance to expand your depth skills.

2 Days

challenging

From $580.00

Cozumel Deep Diver Specialty is a focused two-day course run out of Avalon, California, that teaches safe deep-diving procedures for descents down to 130 feet. Small class sizes—up to four students—mean instruction is hands-on and individualized, with confined-skill drills, simulated emergencies, gas-management practice, and guided deep dives. You begin at Avalon Harbor and make short boat runs to rocky reef walls, underwater pinnacles, and kelp beds where the seafloor drops away into blue water. The local geology is primarily volcanic basalt and ancient uplifted sediment that creates sheer walls, swim-throughs, and ledges ideal for practicing depth control and buoyancy. Life here is robust: orange garibaldi patrol kelp forests, schools of perch and kelp bass shadow the reef, and deeper drop-offs attract rays, occasional leopard sharks, and curious wolf eels. Visibility varies with swell and season, sometimes clearing to 60 feet or more, sometimes layered by thermoclines that call for thicker exposure protection at depth. The course includes tanks and weights, professional instruction, snacks and water; boat fees, e-learning prerequisites, and lodging are separate. Students must complete medical and liability paperwork, speak English for safety briefings, and arrive rested and sober—faculty reserve the right to cancel dives if impairment is suspected. This specialty is particularly useful for divers who have completed Open Water certification and want supervised experience managing deeper profiles, gas planning, and controlled ascent procedures. Avalon makes an efficient base; its harbor and short boat runs reduce transit time so students spend more minutes underwater practicing core skills. Beyond training, the underwater scenery is a compelling draw: towering kelp blades, sculpted reef faces, and pockets of sand that spotlight macro creatures and photogenic reef structure. Because parts of the island lie within marine protected zones, fish biomass tends to be healthier than on many mainland sites, which boosts both learning opportunities and wildlife encounters. Practical prep: practice neutral buoyancy, bring a wetsuit with layered protection for colder deep water, carry your certification card if you have one, and hydrate well the night before. Local history note: Avalon was incorporated in 1913 and the island has a long connection to fishing and recreational diving that shaped modern conservation efforts. If you’re looking to expand your depth envelope with focused coaching in a compact, high-value setting, this deep diver specialty off Avalon rewards careful students with practical skills and memorable encounters on steep reefs. Expect classroom briefings, surface intervals shaded by the island’s harbor, and one-on-one debriefs after each dive that leave you ready to apply these techniques on future Pacific dives or to pursue additional technical training. Book with operators who list included tanks and weights, confirm e-learning requirements, and plan two days on-island to complete the program comfortably unrushed.

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.