8 Hours • Ages 10+ • Includes 2 Dives with an Instructor
Sharpen your boat diving skills with two instructor-led dives off Avalon’s Green Pleasure Pier. Learn SMB deployment, boat etiquette, and practical procedures in an eight-hour PADI Boat Diver course taught by Catalina Divers Supply.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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Difficulty
moderate
Duration
8 Hours
Fitness Level
Light to moderate fitness; comfortable carrying and donning scuba gear and performing short surface swims if needed.
Wildlife
History
Avalon’s waterfront grew with early 20th-century tourism; the Catalina Casino, visible from many dive sites, dates to 1929 and marks the town’s long recreational heritage.
Conservation
Catalina’s nearshore waters include protected zones; divers are encouraged to use reef-safe sunscreen, avoid touching kelp and bottom life, and report marine debris to local operators.
8 Hours • Ages 10+ • Includes 2 Dives with an Instructor
Complete the e-learning first
Finish the required PADI e-learning or manual before arrival so water time focuses on hands-on skills.
Bring a reliable SMB and whistle
Practice deploying your surface marker buoy and carry a loud whistle to improve visibility during boat pickups.
Check swell and wind
Short runs can still be bumpy; ask the shop about current conditions and expect drills to simulate swell-influenced pickups.
Rig gear onshore
Set up and test your kit at the pier before boarding to keep boats efficient and reduce deck confusion.
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) or inflatable signal tube
Required for the course and essential for signaling during boat pickups.
Full scuba kit (BCD, regulator, wetsuit)
Having familiar gear reduces setup time and increases comfort on varied boats.
Dive computer
Tracks no-decompression limits and ascent times during multiple short boat dives.
Spare-parts kit and small dive tool
Useful for quick on-deck repairs and minor gear fixes between dives.