8 Hours • Ages 12+
Train with a full-face mask on Catalina Island and learn cold-water, scientific, and public-safety diving skills in kelp forests and shore-access reefs. This eight-hour course at Catalina Divers Supply is ideal for Open Water divers age 12+ ready to extend their season and skill set.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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Difficulty
moderate
Duration
8 hours
Fitness Level
Moderate: comfortable swimming and able to manage scuba gear for surface and underwater drills; some prior experience with controlled descents/ascent expected.
Wildlife
History
Catalina became a modern recreational destination after early 20th-century development by William Wrigley Jr., whose investments shaped Avalon’s shoreline facilities.
Conservation
The island’s kelp forests are the focus of local restoration and monitoring efforts; divers are encouraged to follow no-touch policies and report observations to researchers.
8 Hours • Ages 12+
Bring proof of certification
You must be an Open Water Diver—bring your certification card or digital proof to check in.
Dress for cold Pacific temps
Surface conditions and subsurface temperatures can be chilly—plan thermal protection and a hood or drysuit accordingly.
Book ferry and instructor time early
Avalon fills up on summer weekends; reserve boat travel and course slots several weeks ahead.
Practice basic buoyancy beforehand
Solid buoyancy control speeds learning full-face mask skills and reduces frustration during open-water dives.
Certification card / logbook
Required proof of prerequisite certification and useful for instructor records.
Dive computer
Tracks depth and no-decompression limits during training dives.
Thermal protection (wetsuit or drysuit)
Pacific temperatures and prolonged surface intervals make thermal protection essential.
Surface signaling device (SMB/whistle)
Adds safety during open-water practice and boat pick-ups.