The surf can get pretty big here at times, so make sure you only enter if your comfortable with the conditions and dive to your ability.

Visibility is generally 10 to 25 feet, sometimes better.  Usually there is no noticeable current, but once in a while there may be a slight southerly current along shore.

You are likely to see Sand Bass, Batrays, Calico Bass, Cabezon, Halibut, Surfperch, Sarcastic Fringeheads, Giant Spider Crabs, and an occasional octopus.
 

This is the only beach in the area where you can literally drive down to the beach and unload and not have to climb stairs or hills!

From the parking area walk to the beach and enter at about the halfway point on the cove.  Make sure you walk beyond the rocky area closest to the parking lot or You'll find yourself rolling on the rocks.  The access for White Point is the same as it is for Royal Palms. When you reach the bottom, White Point is the road to your left and Royal Palms is to your right.

Water entry is relatively easy in light and moderate surf. The trick here is to not dive White Point at low tide because there are a ton of relatively large, loose rocks that are exposed at at this time making entry and exit hazardous. If you can time your dive to take place at or just before high tide you'll find this the ideal time to dive.

Enter without fins and with your BC inflated, wade out to waist level and then put on your fins. Watch for loose rocks when entering and exiting. Use Buoyancy to keep yourself "light".

The big attraction here is the warm water vents in the shallows. About 50 yards out you'll find areas with almost no growth and a mixed White and black sandy bottom. You may see "murky water" in these areas as well.

 If so, you are over the vents, try taking your gloves off and putting them in the sand, you'll feel the heat! Expect to see Bat Stars, Sea Cucumbers, Moray Eels and lots of Nudibranchs as you venture away from the Vents. Go a little deeper and to the East and you'll run into Kelp and rock outcrops loaded with goodies.

As you venture away from the hot water vents you are also likely to run into Sand Bass, Bat Rays, Calico Bass, Tree Fish, Cabezon, Giant Kelpfish, Blackeye Goby, California Halibut, Senorita, White Sea Perch, Opaleye, Leopard Sharks, Horn Sharks, Lobsters, Giant Crabs, and lots of little critters anywhere there's a hide-out.
 

About 10 yards from the parking lot (if you park in the Westernmost corner) is the paved path leading down to the Beach. The path begins at the Westernmost corner of the parking lot where you'll find an opening left of the gate with signage warning of the beach regulations.

The path leading to the beach is fairly steep in areas and quite slippery if there's lots of sand so be mindful of your footing. The path is about 50 yards down and is relatively easy to walk - It's about as easy as it gets in Palos Verdes area. The surf can get pretty big here at times, so make sure you only enter if your comfortable with the conditions and dive to your ability.

The bottom of the Path opens to the beach. Best access will be to your left and easiest will be at higher tides. Entry here is very rocky, so it's imperative you are careful upon entry - there are many large, loose rocks which make entry potentially hazardous.

We've rated this spot as an intermediate dive only because the rocky entry may prove tricky for beginning divers. The beach access, parking and path to the beach make this sight easily accessible and would have rated beginner except for the rocks.

Water entry is relatively easy in light and moderate surf during High Tide. The shore leading to the water has lots of large loose rock, so be cautious when entering or exiting beyond the sand - especially during low tide. The surf here is usually pretty calm - but we've seen it pretty big, so only enter if you're comfortable - dive to your ability!

Generally speaking, if there's a good southerly swell pounding other beaches, Malaga Cove will be a good bet to make a dive since it faces North-West and will tend to be calmer on these days. Most of the diving here is pretty shallow with depths running about 10 - 30 feet in most areas within easy swimming distance. There are many Rocky Channels running parallel to shore loaded with sea life in the crevices.

Visibility is generally good, averaging about 15-25 feet with occasional 30-40 foot visibility. Usually there is no noticeable current, but once in a while there may be a light south-easterly current running along the shore.

More Advanced Divers and those who don't mind the rocky entry will enjoy diving Malaga Cove. We've rated this spot as an Intermediate Dive, not because of the actual dive, but because of the Rocky Entry required to get to the water...Just mind your footing and try to dive this spot during high tide.

You will see lots of rocks, heavy kelp, lots of sand and large rock crevices running parallel to shore. Additionally you can find lots of small invertebrates including brightly colored Spanish shawl nudibranchs. Sea stars, Decorator Crabs, Chestnut Cowries, Sand Bass, Bat Rays, Calico Bass, Tree Fish, Cabezon, Giant Kelpfish, Blackeye Goby, California Sheephead, Senorita, White Seaperch, Opaleye, Horn Sharks, small reef fish and an abundance of octopus.

Also common here is the California Halibut & Bat Rays! During the months of March through June you'll likely see some small White Sea Bass on the fringe of the Kelp Beds as well.
 

Casino Point is an underwater dive park located on Catalina Island in the city of Avalon. In order to dive this location you first need to book passage to Avalon from Catalina Express.

Once you arrive at the Avalon terminal for Catalina Express you have several transportation choices. If you booked a hotel, they will often meet you at the terminal with a complimentary shuttle to take you to your room. Check with your hotel PRIOR to arriving to see if they provide this service.

If you are at Catalina just for the day, I would advise hiring a taxi (split it between fellow Divers), because the distance from the terminal to Casino Point is about 3/4 of a mile (Gear gets Heavier the longer you walk). Cab fare is about $12.

You always have the option to walk, but beware Casino Point is at the very other end of Avalon's Cove, so be prepared for a long walk.

Once you get to Casino Point you'll find everything is very "Diver Friendly". There's an air fill truck located next to the Casino that's open most Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays. You can check with Catalina Divers Supply to see if it's open when you'll be there by calling 1-800-353-0330. You'll find diver storage lockers & restrooms at the Casino as well.

The Ocean access at Casino Point is extremely easy now that the steps have been added at the entry point. The only advice we can give on entering is to watch the divers before you as they sink below the water - learn from their entry. The steps make it easy, but be sure to use the handrails (they're there for a reason) - the steps can get slippery! Also, be sure to "time the surge", so you don't get pushed back onto the steps at the waterline. Two simple bits of advice that should make your a little easier.

Casino Point is one of the most popular dive sites in California and deservingly so. The city of Avalon has done a great job making the city and dive sites very diver friendly.

The dive site itself is easily accessible via the stairway leading directly into the water from the walkway. Once in the water, the surf is usually calm or near calm and visibility is always pretty good (15-100'). Sea life is abundant and generally easily approachable. You'll find a lot of great photo opportunities at Catalina, so bring a camera if you have one.

You'll find several small wrecks within easy swimming distance of the stairs and lots of other points of interest throughout the Underwater Park. Our advice is to just dive and enjoy the view, you'll come across many interesting things on every dive!

Casino Point (Avalon Underwater Park) is a marine preserve and we could swear the sea creatures are well aware of it. Perhaps it's the glass bottom Boats feeding them every day to lure them closer for the tourists...or perhaps it's years of protection that has been instilled in their genetics. Whatever the case, you'll find the sea life very curious and unafraid to approach or be approached by divers. This is great sometimes...sometimes not if you're trying to take pictures.

There's a reason people travel from all over the world to Dive Catalina Island and it's Kelp forests, they're beautiful and unique - and often taken for granted by us California Divers! We can tell you personally, based on many years of experience and a healthy resume of world dive travel, that Catalina Island is a world class dive spot and should be appreciated for what it is.  We applaud those who have protected this tiny treasure in the Pacific and you'll not regret diving this tiny Island.

You'll find a healthy dose of Pacific Coast sea life here at Casino Point including; kelp fish, horn sharks, Garibaldi, Bass, Opal Eye, Sea Urchin, Gorgonian, Rock Scallop, Rock Wrasse, Sargo, Senoritas, Spiny Lobster, Treefish, Anemone, Sea Cucumber, etc.