Adventure on Catalina Island
Dive Scooters
End the summer with a custom adventure on Catalina Island to make your perfect stay. A Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV) or underwater scooter offers a thrilling way for scuba divers to see a lot of underwater territory in a short amount of time. They scoot you through the water allowing you to glide over reefs, buzz around a large wreck or weave through the kelp forest. While making your dive at Avalon’s Casino Point, a DPV is a great way to see more and have fun doing it. Diving Catalina also offers this dive scooter option for snorkelers. You can book a power snorkel or upgrade to a faster unit with the power snorkel extreme tour.
Surface Intervals
Catalina Island offers a plethora of topside adventures once you’re done diving for the day, or for our non-diving friends. September 6th and 7th the Catalina Wine Mixer will be taking over Descanso Beach from 3:00 – 11:00pm. But the opportunity on September 6th to party in the Casino Ballroom from 10:00pm to midnight is a rare treat. The ballroom will be entertaining guests with dancing and drinks while DJs Ricky Rocks and Michael Basic spin. There is no cover for Catalina Wine Mixer attendees, $5 cover for non-attendees.
If you want a real adventure you can plan a trip up the coast to Two Harbors for their 17th annual Microbrew Festival on September 7, 2019. Guests will enjoy live music and a huge selection of microbrews at this party on the beach. Advance purchase of tickets is strongly recommended as this event usually sells out.
Arts & Causes
September 7th and 8th in Avalon offer the opportunity to witness the Annual Catalina Channel Crossing – U.S. Outrigger Championships. Saturday, at Casino Point you can see the women finish the longest Polynesian canoe race in the continental U.S. It is 26 miles from Newport Beach to Avalon! After the race you can partake in Hawaiian festivities at Wrigley Stage in the center of town. There will be an awards ceremony, music and beer garden (21+ ID required). Sunday bystanders can watch the men begin the race back to Newport Beach from Lovers Cove. Proceeds of the event go to support local charities.
The Annual Catalina Festival of Art is running from September 20th through the 22nd from 10:00am – 5:00pm. Featuring artists from all over the country, highlights include a charity art auction and kids art show. This is one of the longest running art festivals in California, plus a fun adventure for the artists. The exhibition takes over most of Crescent Avenue, what the locals call “front street”. Not only is this a show, but artists will sell their works of fine art, sculpture, fine crafts & photography.
September 21st is the Catalina Island Women’s Forum (CIWF) Wine Festival, Annual Charity Fundraiser. Diving Catalina has donated to their silent auction over the past few years. This is their 23rd annual fundraiser featuring over 70 wineries, delectable hors d’oeuvres and live music. Net proceeds help support local mentoring and scholarship programs run by the CIWF. The event is from 2:00pm – 5:00pm located oceanfront on South Beach in Avalon. Tickets now available online.
Hollywood’s Playground
Catalina Island has had hundreds of movies and TV shows filmed on land or by sea featuring it’s beautiful landscape. It was the playground for movie stars before overseas airline travel was common. Still you find celebrities enjoying the island charm trying to blend in with our visiting crowds. September 27th and 28th the Catalina Film Festival will be in Avalon. This festival features over 100 films screened at multiple venues with awards in up to 10 categories. The Catalina Film Institute’s annual celebration of film bestows the prestigious Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation “Great Communicator” Award, Charlie Chaplin ICON Award, and Stanley Kramer “Social Artist” Award.
Build your Adventure on Catalina Island
Why not stay a few days and have a proper adventure on Catalina Island? The Hermosa Hotel is currently offering a “Birthday Lodging for Two” package! It includes: two round-trip boat tickets to and from Avalon via the Newport Beach Catalina Flyer, plus various birthday discounts available on food/drink, activities and services offered Island wide. Your birthday must occur during your stay but doesn’t have to be day of check-in. Check their website for full details.
Looking for a romantic get-a-way with some extra perks? Try the Avalon Hotel: Romance Package Plus Spa Day. This package includes a 60-minute couples massage at the beautiful Island Spa Catalina. Your stay includes two nights in a garden view room at The Avalon Hotel, a picnic basket, boat transportation for two, taxi to and from the boat in Avalon plus their extended continental breakfast in their garden patio each morning. Call or visit their website for more information. The Avalon Hotel is known for it’s exceptional guest service and offering upgrades and customized features for a perfect stay.
Diving Services
Night Dives
Another great adventure on Catalina Island is going on a night dive or snorkel! Even Casino Point takes on a new personality at night, as many underwater creatures and plant life (different from those you see during the day) are active at night. Booking a guided night dive with us will include night dive planning, organization, procedures, techniques and reviewing potential problems and solutions. You’ll also learn how to control your buoyancy, navigate and communicate at night. Since many of the plants and animals you’ll see are different, this is a first-hand introduction to nocturnal aquatic life. Our SCUBA tours include your guide, a knowledgeable and experienced instructor and an expert on Catalina Island marine life, full scuba equipment and wet suit.
Advanced Diver
As discussed in our June blog, the Advanced Diver certification is ideal for divers wanting more experience. Since you are being guided by the expertise of an instructor you don’t need to have a ton of dives under your belt. In fact, the Advanced Diver course is perfect for those who may have just completed their Open Water SCUBA class and feel a little unsure about their comfort level in the ocean. Divers who have relocated to California from warmer climates can also benefit from this course by gaining experience diving in thick wetsuits and wearing more weight than they have been accustomed to in other areas. The Night Dive specialty is also one of the options you can register for which is a great way to gain experience in this very different environmental condition. Book your next adventure on Catalina Island with us!