Casino Point

Old Pier

 Location:  When facing the mainland you will see two pink buoys from the stairs.  Swim out to the right of the right side buoy.  At this point you can drop down and swim through the kelp forest and swim out to the right and parallel to the break wall.

 Skill Level:  All Levels

Attraction:  Underwater Photography, DPV (Diver Propulsion Vehicle), Night Diving, Kayak Diving,  Fish ID, Hunting, great for practicing your navigation!           

Permits/Licenses: None required. 

 Skill Level: Open Water Diver and up                                                                                                       

Attraction:  Underwater Photography, DPV (Diver Propulsion Vehicle), Night Diving,  Fish ID, Navigation, Nitrox… IT IS ALL HERE!!

Permits/Licenses: None required. Please note that Casino Point is a Marine Reserve and that no game may be taken within its limits.  The park is outlined by rope held at the surface by the many buoys around the park.  Due to Casino Point’s popularity with boating enthusiasts it is highly recommended you refrain from exiting the park.  Special trips can be arranged to explore outside the park destinations such as the Valiant.

Map:

This map is not an attempt to make an exact replication of the dive spot.  Instead this map is intended to give some perspective on over all features of the dive spot.  The best way to get to know a dive spot is to explore it yourself.  Before you make your dive please check out the Diving Information on this dive destination below.  

 Entry/Exit:  The only recommended entrance is down the concrete stair case from Casino Point down into the reserve.  When making your entrance it is often times easier to inflate your BC, and enter the water when the surge is at its highest point.  We recommend entering the water with your fins around your wrist, mask on, and snorkel in your mouth while entering the water face down.  When the water is at its high point you will have the opportunity to enter from the lowest step while viewing all the life most people miss just below the stairs. 

 Visibility: Santa Catalina Island has largely excellent visibility year round, usually peaking in the winter time when the water is colder and the days are shorter.

  Bottom Composition:  Around the memorial, rocky bottom predominates with sandy spots intercalating between the large boulders. 

 Dangers:  Pay particular attention to where you place your hands.  Sculpin are not uncommon to Casino Point and if stung by their dorsal spine, inflammation usually causes the hand to swell to up to twice its normal size.  Also be aware that Moray Eels can also be found at this dive spot, so always think twice before you put your hands in a crevice.  At deeper depths the Pacific Electric Ray can also be found.  Other potentially dangerous critters include the mantis shrimp which can jab its spike shaped claw at a velocity equal to that of a .22 caliber gun.  At casino point it is a good idea to not touch anything you do not know is safe to touch.  Also keep in mind these critters are not usually known to be aggressive towards divers and most attacks are provoked.

  Wildlife Abundance:  Once we have logged at least 25 dives at a particular location, a tab is taken from each dive and the relative abundance of each species is noted.  From this raw data I have come up with a numbering system which will give you some insight on the relative abundance and your chances of seeing each species at any particular time.

5- Garuanteed to see this species at this dive sight

4- Very likely to see this species at this dive sight. 

3- Abundance may vary or may be specific to a particular location within a dive spot; you have a 50/50 chance of seeing this species on your dive at specific locations

2- Species may be seasonal or hard to find at this dive spot.  Sightings have occurred but are few and far between

1- May have seen this species or have heard from feed back this species can be found here seasonally

Fish:  5- Calico Bass (Paralabrax clathratus) 3- Tree Fish (Sebastes serriceps) (Lft,Rt), 3- Cabezon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus), 3- California Scorpion Fish (Scorpaena guttata),  4- Giant Kelpfish (Heterostichus rostratus), 4- Blackeye Goby (Coryphopterus nicholsi), 3- California Halibut (Paralichthys californicus) (Md), 4- California Sheephead (Semicossyphus pulcher), 4- Senorita (Oxyjulis californica), 3- Garibaldi (Hypsypops rubicundus), 2- White Seaperch (Phanerodon furcatus), 3- Opaleye (Girella nigricans), 2- Leopard Shark (Triakis semifasciata), 2- Horn Shark (Heterodontus francisci), 1- Shovelnose Guitarfish (Rhinobatos productus), 1- Thornback (Platyrhinoidis triseriata), Arthropods:  1- Decorator Crab, 2- California Spiny Lobster (Panulirus interruptus)

  Facilities:

At Casino Point you can find air fills from Catalina Divers Supply at $4.50 each fill.  You can also find supplies on the Pleasure Pier as well as on the island.  When entering the water, you can leave all of your valuables in the pay per use lockers (bring lots of quarters, these lockers cost .75 cents per use) while you enjoy the beauty underwater.

 Diving Information:

 The Old Pier is a great site to take macro shots with your camera or interact with the large fish that occasionally swim through these clearings.  Parts of the old pier can be found can be found throughout the right hand side of the park.  On these old pileons you will find a wide variety of life and small fish!  Often times small schools of fish will make their way sifting through the large and expansive sand bottom.  The pileons are easy to navigate to and under in many of the locations.  If you continue to swim in towards the shallows you will find the rest of the pileons around the rock break wall.    

This area provides some very good opportunities to take photo graphs and is within the suggested limits for all Open Water divers!  The site is easy to navigate and hosts very large populations of calicos, garibaldi, as well as large populations of female sheephead.    

 One Last Note:  If you have any additional information or tips on diving Casino Point please post your information or e-mail it to myself at info@calcoastdivers.com.  Thank you for your input!