Scuba by Design

Glide through Catalina Island's stunning kelp forests in your own time, at your own pace — private, 5-star concierge scuba diving experiences designed just for you and your group, with all the amenities included.

Scuba by Design runs exclusively private, concierge-style scuba diving experiences from Catalina Island's Casino Point Dive Park — a Marine Protected Area with shore access right in Avalon. All dives are guided from shore, with no boat diving offered. Groups are kept to a maximum of six certified divers per session, ensuring dedicated one-on-one attention from an experienced local PADI professional. The park features depths of up to 100 feet, consistently over 50 feet of visibility, kelp forest canopy, wrecks, artificial reefs, and abundant marine life including California sea lions, Giant Black Sea Bass, Garibaldi, eels, octopus, lobster, and more. Half-day packages cover two tanks over a morning (8am–12pm) or afternoon (1pm–5pm) session, while full-day packages include three tanks. Available dive options include Catalina Kelp Forest dives, Refresher dives, Power Scuba (DPV/undersea scooter) dives, and Night dives (evening/afternoon packages). Add-ons include catered food, GoPro rental, Enriched Air/Nitrox tank rental (certification required), and PADI AWARE Specialist certification. Beyond guided diving, Scuba by Design offers every level of PADI recreational certification up to professional, plus 17 specialties — all in a private, small-group format. A strong adaptive diving program runs alongside the standard offerings, with the lead instructor holding PADI IDC Staff Instructor, PADI Adaptive Techniques Instructor, and Handicapped Scuba Association Instructor credentials. Discover Scuba Diving introductory experiences and a Discover Scientific Diving program (introducing certified divers to citizen science research in the kelp forest) round out the lineup. The operator also emphasizes environmental commitment, partnering with PADI AWARE and participating in Catalina Island ocean conservation efforts.