For boaters making the trip across the channel to Catalina Island, the adventure doesn’t stop at the surface. Beneath the waves is a world of kelp forests, fish, and sea lions — a realm Catalina Divers Supply has helped visitors explore for more than six decades.
Founded nearly four decades ago, Catalina Divers Supply isn’t just the Island’s oldest dive shop; it’s one of the oldest in the world. The company’s roots trace back to a time when scuba diving itself was still emerging as a recreational pursuit. “Catalina Divers Supply was established in 1957, at a time when scuba diving was still in its infancy,” explains Christy Harp, who has owned the business since 2013. “Original founders Carl and Maggie Koehler recognized Catalina Island’s incredible underwater potential and set out to share it with visitors.”
The Koehlers’ early vision tapped into the natural wonder beneath Catalina’s surface, and their pioneering spirit set a tone that continues today. As ownership changed hands over the years, the mission endured: introducing divers to the beauty of Catalina’s underwater world. When Harp took the reins, she not only brought business acumen but a personal connection to the Island and its waters. “I’ve lived on Catalina for more than 20 years,” she says. “I continue the mission of sharing the Island’s extraordinary underwater world with locals and visitors alike.”
For boaters visiting Catalina for a weekend getaway or an extended cruise, diving or snorkeling adds an unforgettable element to the experience. Conveniently located near the iconic Avalon Dive Park at Casino Point, Catalina Divers Supply makes it easy to access some of California’s best diving right from shore. Casino Point itself is famous for its clear water, dramatic kelp forests, and abundant marine life, all within an underwater preserve that has long attracted ocean lovers from around the world.
Catalina Divers Supply serves as an important resource for these visitors, offering everything from snorkel rentals to full scuba setups, guided dives, lessons, and sales of top-of-the-line equipment. Their team of knowledgeable, PADI-certified instructors ensures safe, fun, and educational experiences for all skill levels. “We offer a full range of PADI courses on the Island, from beginner programs like Discover Scuba Diving all the way up to instructor-level training,” Harp explains. “In addition to guided excursions and introductory dives for visitors, we provide specialty courses and training in emerging dive technologies, including the Avelo system and full face mask diving. Our goal is to make diving accessible and exciting for everyone, whether you’re trying it for the first time or advancing your professional credentials.”
That accessibility extends beyond scuba diving. For freedivers, snorkelers, and even spearfishers, the shop offers gear rentals, advice, and guidance. “While we don’t run formal guided freediving or spearfishing tours ourselves, we’re happy to help visiting freedivers with weights, wetsuits, and other gear rentals, and our staff can share local advice about sites and conditions,” Harp says. “We also sell spearfishing equipment, and our staff can provide general guidance on local regulations and areas where spearfishing is permitted.”
For visitors arriving by boat, Catalina Divers Supply’s comprehensive services mean there’s no need to haul your own gear over from the mainland. You can step ashore, rent top-quality equipment, and be in the water exploring iconic sites like Lovers Cove, Descanso Beach, or the kelp forests at Casino Point in no time.
But for visitors looking to experience the island from a different vantage point — above ground rather than below — Catalina Taxi and Tours provides an equally memorable way to explore. Also owned and operated by Harp, Catalina Taxi and Tours has served Avalon and Catalina visitors for over 20 years, offering friendly, knowledgeable service and a variety of ways to discover the island by land. Formerly known as Catalina Transportation Services, Inc. and later Journey Catalina, the company rebranded to better reflect its broad range of services while maintaining its trusted team and commitment to customer care.
Catalina Taxi and Tours provides on-demand taxi service within Avalon, meeting every boat arrival at the terminal and offering convenient food delivery and private shuttles for destinations beyond the city limits. For those interested in exploring Catalina’s rugged interior, they offer private tours in open-air Jeeps or comfortable SUVs, with itineraries showcasing the island’s history, ecology, and wildlife. Popular tours include the Avalon City Tour, scenic Picnic Tours to Haypress Park, and even special experiences like Toast Catalina, designed to celebrate special moments at some of the island’s most picturesque overlooks. All services are dog-friendly, and Spanish-speaking guides are available upon request. With their deep local roots, Catalina Taxi and Tours is a perfect counterpart to Catalina Divers Supply — one bringing visitors to the island’s wild interior landscapes, while the other invites them to explore its equally vibrant underwater world. For more information, please visit https://www.catalinataxiandtours.com/.
Back in the water, Catalina Divers Supply is more than a dive shop; it’s a steward of the Island’s marine environment. Over the decades, the company has become synonymous with marine conservation efforts on the Island, most notably through its leadership role in organizing the Annual Avalon Harbor Underwater Cleanup. This event, one of the most popular dive cleanups in North America, brings divers and community members together to remove debris from the harbor floor while raising awareness of ocean health.
“Catalina Divers Supply first got involved with the Annual Avalon Harbor Underwater Cleanup many years ago, providing free air fills for divers as well as volunteers,” Harp says. “About three years ago, we stepped in to run it when it looked like this long-standing event might not continue without new leadership. The cleanup has removed thousands of pounds of trash from Avalon Harbor over its decades-long history. Beyond the direct environmental benefit, it’s introduced tens of thousands of people to the importance of marine conservation, inspiring both divers and the broader community to care for our underwater ecosystems.”
The cleanup is just one facet of the company’s broader commitment to sustainability. Catalina Divers Supply also educates the next generation of ocean stewards by supporting school and student programs. “We’re committed to introducing children to the wonder of underwater exploration and providing discounted or free gear rentals when school and student groups conduct their programs here at Catalina,” Harp notes.
In the dive shop itself, this commitment is evident in the curated product selection. “We stock items that encourage a greener lifestyle, like reusable water bottles and reef-safe sunblock,” Harp says. The shop’s designation as a PADI AWARE Partner reflects its deep involvement in global and local marine conservation initiatives. Through education, conservation projects, and financial support of organizations dedicated to ocean health, Catalina Divers Supply ensures its role as a guardian of the very environment that makes its business possible.
For many visitors, a stop at Catalina Divers Supply is the first step toward appreciating just how special Catalina’s marine ecosystems are. The Island’s surrounding waters are home to over 800 marine species, many of which thrive within the kelp forests that hug its coastline. These protected habitats are vibrant and teeming with life thanks in part to decades of careful management by groups like The Bay Foundation and businesses like Catalina Divers Supply, which help foster a culture of respect and responsibility among visitors.
“Education and stewardship are central to our mission,” Harp emphasizes. “The health of these waters is essential not only for the marine life but for everyone who enjoys boating, diving, fishing, and exploring Catalina.”
The appeal of Catalina isn’t confined to what lies below the waterline. For visitors looking to stretch their legs after time aboard their vessels, the Island offers miles of hiking trails, remote coves, and scenic vistas, much of it managed by the Catalina Island Conservancy. Many visitors combine inland exploration with marine activities, creating a rich and varied experience of Catalina’s natural beauty. Catalina Divers Supply complements that experience by providing everything needed to explore the Island’s underwater wonders safely and responsibly.
For visiting boaters, the dive shop is a convenient, one-stop gateway to everything under the surface. Even casual snorkelers can walk from Avalon Harbor to Lovers Cove or Casino Point, rent their gear, and be swimming among garibaldi and bat rays in minutes. More ambitious adventurers can enroll in certification courses or arrange guided dives tailored to their skill level and interests.
As Catalina Island continues to attract thousands of boaters, anglers, and marine recreation enthusiasts each year, Catalina Divers Supply remains a trusted partner for those looking to deepen their connection to the sea. By combining a legacy of service with a passionate commitment to conservation, they exemplify how a business can thrive while helping preserve the natural environment that sustains it.
Snorkeling alongside garibaldi in Lovers Cove, taking your first dive at Casino Point, or simply shopping for eco-friendly products at their historic location in the Catalina Casino Building — all of these experiences make a visit to Catalina Divers Supply much more than just a stop for equipment; it’s an invitation to explore and protect Catalina’s marine environment.
For more information about dive classes, gear rentals, conservation initiatives, or the upcoming Avalon Harbor Underwater Cleanup, visit catalinadiverssupply.com. And if your boating plans include a stop at Catalina Island, don’t miss the opportunity to dive into its underwater world — and explore its scenic interior by land too.
