Catalina Weekend Overview
Catalina is the classic Southern California dive getaway. This overview explains ferry, hotel, and island logistics. Pricing, dates, and booking are available on the Trips page when a weekend is involved.
What Is Diving in Catalina Like?
Catalina Island sits off the coast of Southern California and has been a dive destination for generations. Clear water, kelp forests, Garibaldi, horn sharks, and sea lions make it feel like a true dive trip while still staying close to home. In the summer months, divers may also encounter Giant Black Sea Bass.
Most divers stay in Avalon, the island's main harbor town. The hotel and Casino Point Dive Park are both within walking distance, making it easy to get around without a car. If you prefer, taxis are also available for short rides. You arrive by ferry, walk through a small coastal town, and dive just minutes from where you're staying.
It's a great fit for training, refresher dives, and fun diving without needing to fly to a tropical destination.
A Catalina Weekend package bundles the logistics that are typically handled separately, including ferry transportation and hotel nights. Scuba Life lists these packages when scheduled trips are available on our website.
Why Divers Choose Catalina
Divers from Los Angeles, Ventura, and Orange Counties can reach the ferry with a reasonable drive, cross the channel, and be diving the same day or the next. That makes Catalina the natural ocean step after pool training.
Kelp forest diving here is the real California experience—long fronds, filtered light, and fish everywhere. Many Open Water students complete their certification dives on the island because the conditions and scenery surpass most mainland sites.
Weekend packages also work for certified divers looking for a short break. You're not signing up for a full course—you're getting transportation, lodging, and time in the water.
What the Weekend Package Includes
The Catalina Weekend package includes round-trip ferry transportation and a two-night stay at the Hermosa Hotel in Avalon. Lodging is in shared rooms with a Jack and Jill-style bathroom between rooms.
All pricing is per person. If two people share a room, each person must still purchase their own package, as ferry and hotel inventory are reserved individually for the group.
This overview does not include pricing. When a trip is available, the Trips page lists current rates, private room and/or private bathroom add-ons, and the booking details.
Training, Certified Divers, and Guided Dives
All Catalina Weekends take place on the island and are focused on ocean diving, certification dives, or guided dives in local conditions.
Certified divers are welcome on the scheduled trips we post. These packages include ferry and hotel logistics, with divers either joining guided dives or diving independently with buddies.
Non-divers are also welcome to join, and we encourage it—having friends and family on the trip to support their divers is something we value just as much as the diving itself. Non-divers must purchase a Catalina Weekend package so we can reserve their ferry seat and hotel accommodations.
If you're not enrolled in a class but want a guided dive, that may be available as an add-on for an additional fee. Contact us before booking so we can confirm what's possible for that specific weekend.
What a Weekend Usually Feels Like
You meet your instructor at the Catalina Express terminal in Long Beach for the last ferry on Friday night. They'll have your tickets and help you through check-in and boarding.
You arrive together in Avalon, where your instructor helps guide you to the hotel and check in. Evenings are relaxed. Mornings are typically early, depending on the dives required for that weekend, and times may shift based on conditions and group needs.
Dive plans depend on weather and training needs. Training groups follow course schedules. Fun divers are free to dive independently or relax, as nothing is scheduled specifically for them. They may also join training dives when space allows, as long as required instructor-to-student ratios are maintained.
Being on time is important, but flexibility is sometimes required if conditions or logistics change. We appreciate patience when adjustments are needed due to unforeseen delays.
Pack for cool water conditions. A 7mm wetsuit or similar is common for divers year-round. Bring any personal gear you already own. Rental and course gear requirements are listed on the Trips page when training is involved.
Rooming and Special Requests
Requests for room sharing, bathroom setup preferences, or mobility accommodations should be submitted through Contact Us as early as possible. Hotel and ferry inventory is limited, and late requests may not be able to be accommodated.
The Catalina Weekend only applies to the specific departure dates listed on the Trips page.
Clear communication ahead of time helps ensure a smooth experience for everyone on the trip.
Policies Worth Knowing
Once your booking is confirmed, all payments are non-refundable, including but not limited to illness, injury, or any other personal circumstances. Please review the trip listing carefully before booking.
Who Is This Package For?
This package is a good fit for certified divers planning a short island trip, students enrolled in a scheduled class weekend, and people who want ferry and hotel logistics handled in a single booking.
It is less ideal if you are only looking for a single-day dive without an overnight stay, or if you require a private room or private bathroom without coordinating with us in advance.
How to Book with Scuba Life
Scuba Life trains divers throughout Southern California and runs Catalina Weekends when scheduled. Check the Trips page for current availability and open weekends.
If you're still working toward certification, visit the Open Water Diver Overview to see how eLearning, pool training, and Catalina ocean dives fit together. If you're already certified, book a listed weekend when it's available or contact us with any questions.
We're a working dive operation with real people at the helm—not just a booking platform. Reach out if you're unsure which option best fits your goals for the island.
What a Bundled Weekend Covers
Ferry, hotel, and island diving logistics in one coordinated package.
Ferry and Hotel
Round-trip ferry and two nights at the Hermosa Hotel bundled into a single package.
Kelp and Wildlife
Classic Catalina kelp forests, Garibaldi, sea lions, and—during the summer months—Giant Black Sea Bass on local dives.
Training or Fun
Catalina Weekends are used for training courses and for certified divers who simply want fun dives.
Book Trips
Current availability, pricing, and trip details can be found on the Trips page.
Book a Catalina Weekend or Read More Overviews
View open trips for available listings, or continue exploring training pathways, travel overviews, and dive experiences.
Ready to Start Your Diving Journey?
Book a course, join a local or international trip, or connect with our team serving Los Angeles, Ventura, and Orange Counties.