Getting certified with Dave at Diving Catalina was such an incredible experience. He is an outstanding scuba instructor, extremely patient, thorough, and always very clear in his explanations, which made every step of the process feel approachable and easy to understand. From the very beginning, he created an environment where I felt completely comfortable, safe, and supported in the water. His calm demeanor and attention to detail gave me so much confidence, especially while learning new skills. He also made the entire process genuinely fun and inspiring by introducing me to the beauty of the deep underwater world along the way. Seeing giant sea basses, eels, octopuses, and the incredible Catalina kelp forest during our dives made the experience unforgettable and turned every lesson into an adventure. I'm no stranger to the ocean, but scuba diving opened up an entirely new level of exploration and immersion that I had never experienced before. Beyond just teaching the technical side of diving, Dave helped me discover a whole new way to connect with and experience the underwater world. I'm so grateful for his guidance and would highly recommend him to anyone looking to get certified or improve their diving skills. read more

5 stars for Diving Catalina! I am a cold water dive instructor (no longer active status) from Toronto that was hoping for a cold water first dive experience for my 2 teenaged boys. I wanted an instructor that was by the book and would teach them how to be safe. I got that and more! Dave is a highly knowledgeable, thorough instructor and (as a bonus) very funny too. He kept my teenagers on their toes with knowledge and humour. I would highly recommend my loved ones to Diving Catalina. Also, their shop has the best merch on the island. Thanks so much Dave! read more

Diving Catalina - Almost in the water on Catalina Island! - Scuba Diving Near Me - Avalon, California

Garrett is the man! Thank you so much for sending our underwater anniversary photos. During our refresher dive he was patient and thoroughly explained everything to rebuild our confidence. Thank you so much. read more

Second time diving with this company (total of 3 two tank dives). Have now had Dave, Larry and Ruth as our dive masters. They are all phenomenal! Each dive is different and each dive Master finds different things for us to see. They each have different tips and suggestions to improve our skills (we ask). Highly recommend and obviously, will continue to use them!!!! read more

I got certified with Larry and was very happy with the level of instruction. He was thoughtful and patient. He had a very high skill level. read more

Dave and the team was great. He had a lot of knowledge and was a great refresher course. I recommend him to everyone!

I've been certified for 25 years but only dive every three years or so. I need the refresher orientation when taking my first dive in a while. Dave Lieberman gives the best orientation I've ever received, slow, clear, and deliberate. The same can be said for his safety talk. Before gearing up he walked us over to the entry point at Casino Point and reviewed how we would enter and exit the water. There are stairs and a swell involved so it's more difficult than dropping in and out by boat. The gear fit well and the BCD's were brand new! He guided us through the kelp forest pointing out lobster and eel hiding in the crevices. A great tour guide! Highly recommend diving with Dave and the Diving Catalina crew! read more

Dave was amazing, patient and very thoughtful. He was able to assess the level of diving we were at and meet us there. He's trustful and informative. We saw lobsters, eels & and giant sea bass!! read more

Diving Catalina - Post dive excitement! - Scuba Diving Near Me - Avalon, California

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Boat has plenty of room. The Captain and the crew were awesome. The visibility was amazing. Definitely going back soon.

Dave has a lifetime of experience but that hasn't dulled his enthusiasm for the ocean one bit. Pro gear in a beautiful setting only scratch the surface of a good experience. Dave's professional, genuine and easy going demeanor will put any unease to rest and when the stress levels go down, he will crank up the fun. It's like he's done it 10,000 times or something. Price was beyond fair and underwater scooter things put the experience over the top for us. Swim as a fish and you are welcomed into the school. Thanks Dave! read more

Amazing experience with Diver Dave!! My 13-year-old daughter and I went snorkeling a few weeks ago and he was so helpful. Dave helped decrease my anxiety and made the time together fun and educational..Dave is awesome!!! read more

An experience we'll remember for a lifetime!! My husband and I came to Catalina Island with the goal of getting our PADI scuba certifications and the experience of learning and diving with Scuba Dave and Larry from Diving Catalina was even more wonderful than we ever could've expected. Their team took amazing care of us and installed a love for diving that will stay with us our whole lives. We can't say enough wonderful things about Dave and Larry and the Avalon Dive Park (so many incredible aquatic wildlife!) and we can't wait to dive again and hopefully make it back to Catalina one day! read more

Diving Catalina - Scuba diving at Avalon Dive Park - Scuba Diving Near Me - Avalon, California

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My son and I had an awesome dive with Dave. Not only was it fun, but Dave literally saved my life as I blanked when my regulator needed to be adjusted while 40 feet under. I couldn't breath and thought I was about to see Jesus sooner than I thought, but gratefully the Lord used Dave to keep me here awhile longer. Also, those scuba scooters were so much fun! We went in August and the weather, water conditions, and temperature were perfect. Also, the equipment was clean and in excellent condition, and the pre-instructions were great. We look forward to many more dives with Dave. Thank you Dave and God bless. read more

Honestly, the snorkeling was cool but oh my gosh the instructors were so passive aggressive and condescending. Regardless of whether it was justified or not, I have never seen such unprofessional behavior on a booked excursion (and I have done quite a few). It's even evident on all of his replies in the past reviews. If you are a beginner snorkeler I'd recommend using another company. Again it was cool, but if you want a positive vibes along with snorkeling, go to another one. read more

Did a multi-day trip in Catalina which involved four separate scuba dives, which we all did with the help of Diving Catalina. Every staff member there was super helpful and accommodating, providing enough structure for us to feel safe and well taken care of, but flexible enough to accommodate our shifting vacation schedule. The night dive was an highlight, and our dive Master had an uncanny ability to spot all the wildlife to make the dive Mind-Blowing. I absolutely recommend them! read more

This was such an incredible, memorable experience. This was my first time ever diving, and I had such a great time!! It was so fun and beautiful, and had a great instructor Dave. He made everything go smoothly, and explained everything super clearly and was fun to be around. I'm so excited for next time! See ya later Diver Dave. read more

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This was my second time scuba diving with Diving Catalina and I had a blast. Our dive was led by a knowledgeable local guide who emphasized safety while sharing insights about the local marine life. On the dive we got to make our way through the kelp forest and see a big sea bass, that was so COOL! The water is colder so it made for an interesting dive but with the wetsuit I was provided, I was warm. Great spot and Company to dive with! read more

Went on the Discover Scuba Diving Program; Perfect way to get dip your feet into a new underwater exploration My instructor was Dave and I would say he really cares about you and makes sure that you are comfortable at all times checking at various points of the dive. All everything is done in steps that are easy to understand and approachable for all ages. The SSI Risk Awareness 1 Video was easy to understand and comprehend but don't let that stop you from continuing on the dive because it's an experience to remember. Some small tips: Bring your bathing suit, sunscreen, beach towel, and some sandals or something protective because the asphalt is rather rough on your feet with all of the gear on read more

Very good for tank rentals. Booking was a tad less than intuitive, but easy once I had it explained to me. Very fast service, right at the dive park. Pick up and go and bring right back. No waiting on tank refills (which I really like). Super easy, no nasty policies and a better price than Some Dive Shops who service that location. I will be back as a customer. read more

Diving Catalina - Scuba Diving Near Me - Avalon, California

it was so wonderful and Dave was extremely patient with me. Dave also made certain that I knew exactly what I was doing, and that safety came first. I would most definitely scuba again with Dave and recommend him to my friends and family. read more

If you're going to Catalina, you have to experience the sea life with Dave. He will bring you to the cool spots and bring fish to you. There even is a little surprise at the end that'll make you feel very immersed (of course only if you want to) thank you Dave & Diving Catalina! read more

Would recommend other dive schools on the island. Very non understanding when I explained I did not have contacts and could not dive come the morning of the dive. We walked in 5 minutes before they closed to book for the 8am the following day. Just unfriendly and non understanding which is unfortunate. read more

Diving Catalina was simply the best. Checked out all the scuba rental options on Catalina and Diving Catalina was simply the easiest to deal with and best value. Responsive and easy to naviate. Throughly enjoyed our day with Diving Catalina at Casino point. Thanks for being professional, congenial and extremely helpful. I'll be recommending you to everyone. Thanks a million. Kevin & Drew Christensen read more

My two 15-16 year old nephews had a blast on their first discovery scuba diving class with Dave at Diving Catalina. They were extremely lucky to experience wonderful weather and excellent visibility for their first scuba diving experience. They got to see several giant Black Sea Bass, lobsters, octopus and much, much more. Dave had all the necessary gear and provided a safe and professional environment. My nephews are looking forward to their next trip to complete their scuba certification classes. Thank you Dave and Diving Catalina crew. read more

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I had an incredible time with Dave on the Discover Scuba tour. I have been thinking about getting fully certified but haven't had the time, and this intro class was a wonderful way to dip my toes into the water and see what it's all about. The group he took out wasn't big, so it was easy to get in all our questions, take things at our own pace. Dave's excellent communication made a daunting process very easy and unpressured, and despite being a group of nervous newbies, we all had a lot of fun. The wetsuits were great for the cold water, and Dave gave me tips for my plans to solo snorkel the next day and generously loaned me some gear and helped me with some troubleshooting of my personal gear. read more

I had the best time diving with Dave. It was my first time, and I was a little nervous. Dave taught everything clearly and efficiently. He even held my hand until I was more comfortable under water. Can't wait to dive with Diving Catalina again. Cant recommend them enough! read more

Diving Catalina - Scuba Diving Near Me - Avalon, California

Do not recommend this diving company. The lady (Ruth) was so rude to me. The lady started bullying me, picking fun/laughing at me outloud in front of the whole class, just because I asked for assistance. I've done this many of times on the island and I've never experienced such mean service. read more

Diving Catalina - Scuba Diving Near Me - Avalon, California

Brought my family to the campground and was looking forward to the ziplining. Exceeded expectations! Highly recommend!

Larry was incredible!! There is no way we would have been able to have the amazing experience that we did without Larry as our instructor!! He had such a great sense of humor, SUPER patient with others that didn't understand and he was serious enough when it came to the things that mattered to give us the confidence we needed to completely trust we would be safe with him ... I struggled to demonstrate the skills I needed to in order to dive at first, I even had a little panic when it was time to go down but Larry knew how to manage that fear and coach me through it and we had a life changing experience I didn't think was possible ... I went from not knowing how to clear my mask and panicking trying to breathe to seeing a 250 pound sea bass 36 feet deep !! The best part was getting to share this with the love of my life by my side !! IF YOU HAVE NEVER DOVE, YOU HAVE TO EXPERIENCE THE DISCOVERY DIVE WITH DIVING CATALINA AND PRAY YOU GET LARRY AS YOUR INSTRUCTOR !!! It will be life changing !! Larry, thank you so much for this experience, thanks to you we are already planning our certification!! We will be back!!!!!!!!! I even have a new technique when I put my right arm around my love ZZZZZZZ. LLLLL CHHHUUU you know what I'm talking about LARRY !! read more

Diving Catalina - Scuba Diving Near Me - Avalon, California

We had such an amazing experience! This was my first time ever scuba diving and I loved it. The instructors are so attentive and patient. They don't mind going over stuff more than once. You have to watch a video prior and take a little true/false quiz just so that they make sure you payed attention. They teach you the basic signs so that you can communicate under water. They show you how to get water out of your mask, and how to handle different scenarios. If you ever feel uncomfortable or something is wrong, they are right there to help you. I felt safe and at ease the entire dive. You fill out some paper work, do a safety brief, put on your gear then you are on your way! The water was so beautiful. I saw so many fish and absolutely loved the experience. I strongly recommend them for scuba diving on the island... especially if it is your first time. read more

Diving Catalina - Scuba Diving Near Me - Avalon, California

had an incredible Dive with Dave. Every step of the process was seamless from booking the reservation to the dive itself. Will definitely be back! read more

This company is unprofessional and their customer service is really poor. It took me almost two weeks and several attempts calling and emailing the company to get my promised refund for a double booking. The owner never bothered to reply to my messages and this "Extreme Snorkeling" tour is very misleading based on what they sell on the website. They should show the real "Shark Head" pool toy device instead of the more professional device, like this one on your website. No where do you show the real deal, or no one would book this and spend the extra money. Trust me, it's an absolute waste of your time and money! Also make sure you check your wetsuit and gear before you get in the water. Mine and my son's had leaking holes and a zipper that didn't work at all. Not good at all for 60 degree water. It was way too cold without proper gear, the "extreme" part is very misleading. The device just blows bubbles in your face so you can't really see well. If you want to snorkel on Catalina Island, I suggest doing a basic snorkeling trip on your own for a fraction of the cost. read more

Diving Catalina - Scuba Diving Near Me - Avalon, California

My husband and I took our Open Water certification with Larry and it was amazing. We had some anxiety and Larry was quick to keep us focused and laughing. The instruction was very thorough and we now we feel quite confident in our future in SCUBA. We also got to meet Larry's wife, Ruth, who is another instructor and loved all of her input. Larry and Ruth are both very kind, patient, and motivating. Highly recommend. read more

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We participated in the Antelope Canyon tour with the Tours for fun. I am here and would like to give special praise to our tour guide Emma. She is a very professional tour guide. Every scenic spot she explained to us was very good. She was in place, and when we had some minor problems during the trip, she was able to handle them very, very well. This trip allowed us to spend the four days very happily, and I also have to praise tour guide Emma for her professionalism in her work. When I left, I asked her if she had done any other tour line because we really want to join her group again. With such a good tour guide, everyone can participate with confidence. I believe that Tours for fun business is booming. read more

If you're looking for a guided dive while visiting Catalina, I have to recommend Ruth!! She was so helpful and so much fun, it made the already incredible day even better. As a newer diver there are a few things I'm still not super confident in skill-wise and she gave such helpful pointers and assistance while diving, I already feel way more confident than I did before diving with her. Thank you Ruth! My buddy and I will absolutely be back! read more

Me and my mom had a blast snorkeling with Dave, his sense of humour and way of being very thorough in all instructions and safety measurement is great. He's delightful, highly recommended! read more

As a certified diver, I had the opportunity to be on a Discovery Dive on 9/12/23 with Diver Dave who was taking a young woman with limited swimming skills on her very first scuba dive. This was the diver's actual birthday and dream to scuba dive, and so she booked the Catalina Express and choose Diving Catalina. After a complete land introduction to equipment and needed skill set, Diver Dave successfully helped the diver navigate into the water and patiently led her on her way to blowing bubbles and swimming with Catalina's ocean life. She completed the entire dive and her smiles following the dive said it all. Happy Birthday to that diver and congrats on your first Scuba Dive. And, Kudos to Diver Dave !!!! read more

Ruth was great. Enjoyed our time snorkeling and would use this company again. Make sure to come a bit early to suit up and sign waivers read more

Diving Catalina - Snorkeling - Scuba Diving Near Me - Avalon, California

This was my first time scuba diving and I went with my guide Dave. He was very detailed and experienced, he taught me the basics of diving, how to breathe, equalize, how to swim properly, what happens when the snorkel mask may fall off. He was super careful and made sure I was sure enough to go into the water. Once we got into the water, it was such a treat! We saw a sea lion not even two feet away saying hello to us, saw beautiful fish and it was the highlight of my trip. I can't thank Dave for this experience and so grateful for the opportunity. Not to be missed. read more

I booked a guided dive online for mid November, and had a great dive with the divemaster, Masa. I met Masa at the truck they have on site with all the gear and was impressed at most of the gear being almost new, in particular the wetsuit was in great shape and kept me warm. He was personable and talked to me about all the gear and safety protocols, especially how to navigate the entry/exit. He had excellent local knowledge and during the dive briefing talked about the park and what kind of things I could expect to see and answered all my questions. The dive itself was amazing -- the water was full of life. In November the water was 63F top to bottom (max depth 87'). Masa had a good knowledge of the underwater features and showed me a ton of things. The dive was ~45 minutes, limited by my air supply. A few things to keep in mind: * If you take a guided dive and you're the only one with the DM, there's an additional $30 charge. * They provide all the gear except for gloves. I brought 3mm gloves which were just fine. I also brought my own mask and a dive light which I recommend too. I wish I brought my own BC because I'm more familiar with it. * The website says expect about 2 hours which seems reasonable. We started a bit late because the previous group ran late. Just leave room in your schedule if you have a ferry to catch that day (plus a post-dive ice cream tastes great!) I'd happily dive again in Catalina and wouldn't hesitate to use Diving Catalina. read more