Catalina Island, TBD

This site on the northwest coast of Santa Catalina Island, in the area between the Isthmus and the island's more remote western end, offers intermediate divers a less-visited alternative to Avalon's Casino Point — a section of Catalina's coastline where the underwater topography and kelp forest character reflect the more exposed, northwest-facing aspect of the island. The rocky reef and kelp habitat here is characteristic of Catalina's cooler, more current-swept western coast, where the upwelling influence brings nutrient-rich water that supports a denser kelp canopy and a somewhat different fish assemblage than the protected south-facing sites around Avalon. Depths reach approximately 24 meters (about 80 feet) on the outer reef sections, providing a complete depth gradient from the kelp canopy to the sand-and-rock border zone. The kelp forest in this section of the island tends to have a more dramatic, tossed character in the light surge that develops along the northwest coast — fronds streaming in the current, sunlight filtering through the shifting canopy in constantly changing patterns of gold and green. Giant sea bass have been increasingly sighted throughout Catalina as the population recovers, and the less-visited western coast sites see these magnificent animals with some regularity. California moray eels are present in virtually every substantial rock crevice. Sheephead, garibaldi, various rockfish, and calico bass represent the standard Catalina reef fish community. The intermediate rating reflects the more variable conditions on this section of the island — surge, current, and reduced protection from open swell can develop in the afternoon. Access is exclusively by boat from Avalon-based operators or mainland live-aboard and charter boats, and the relative remoteness of this northwest coast section gives it a wilderness diving quality not found at Avalon's busy Casino Point.