The much-anticipated Avalon Harbor Underwater Cleanup will take place on Saturday, Feb. 22. Scuba divers from across the region will don their gear for a day of environmental stewardship and discovery. This unique event marks the only time each year that scuba diving is permitted in Avalon Harbor, making it a coveted opportunity for divers and ocean enthusiasts alike.
Organized by Catalina Divers Supply and the Avalon Rotary Club and benefiting the USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber and improvements at the Casino Dive Park, the Avalon Harbor Underwater Cleanup combines ecological impact with exciting rewards. Following the underwater cleanup, participants will gather for an awards ceremony and prize raffle, where thousands of dollars in scuba gear, gift certificates, and other prizes will be distributed. A highlight of this year’s raffle is a custom quilt made with 20 shirts from past cleanups. Raffle tickets for the quilt can be purchased on the day of the event as well as in advance at the Catalina Divers Supply dive shop in the Casino Building.
“We’re honored to continue to organize the Avalon Harbor Underwater Cleanup and do everything else we can to support the marine environment,” said Christy Harp, owner of Catalina Divers Supply. “Marine conservation is a fundamental part of our business, and it’s something we are committed to living out every day.”
Hundreds of divers and volunteers regularly participate in the event, which makes it one of the largest scuba diving events in the state. Non-divers are welcome to volunteer. “We need volunteers to do everything from check in divers to be a part of our safety kayak team,” Harp said. “It’s a great way to involve friends or family who don’t scuba dive.” Volunteers can register at www.AvalonHarborCleanup.org.
Over the years dozens of tons of trash have been removed from the marine environment, with an average of 3,000 pounds of debris removed at each cleanup. “As you would expect, divers find dozens of cellphones and sunglasses along with carelessly discarded cans, bottles and plastic bags,” Harp said. “But they have also found a surprising assortment of interesting items, like jewelry and toys.” Marine creatures such as octopus, crabs and urchins are regularly found entwined with the debris. “All the marine life is carefully returned to the ocean,” she said.
The 2025 event will have a similar format to year’s past. Divers will enter the water starting at 9 a.m. to remove trash and debris. At 11 a.m., divers will have to be out of the water. The awards ceremony and prize raffle will be held in the early afternoon, with divers receiving prizes for a number of categories.
New this year will be vendors and non-profit organizations set up along Crescent Avenue. They will be offering information and giveaways to cleanup participants.
In addition to removing trash from the marine environment, the Avalon Harbor Underwater Cleanup has become an important source of funds for the USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber. Located at Two Harbors, the chamber is an essential life-saving medical facility for the treatment of diving accidents. Funds will also be dedicated to Avalon Beautiful’s ongoing campaign for comprehensive improvements to the Casino Dive Park. Planned improvements include rebuilding the wall and installing tables and chairs. “There will soon be renderings and a timeline for the improvements,” Harp said. “The dive park means so much to so many divers – it’s going to be exciting to see its next phase.”
Early bird registration for scuba divers is $50 and registration for non-divers is $35. For more information visit www.AvalonHarborCleanup.org.
About Catalina Divers Supply
Founded in 1960, Catalina Divers Supply is one of the oldest dive shops on the West Coast.
In 2022, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors Five Star Dive Center moved into its new location in Avalon’s historic Catalina Casino.
Dedicated to helping adventurers explore Catalina’s underwater world, the shop offers a full range of scuba classes, dive experiences and snorkeling tours as well as gear sales, rental and repair.
Boat dives are available onboard the Scuba Cat.
Catalina Divers Supply has been instrumental in the development and continued success of the Casino Point Dive Park, one of the most popular dive spots in North America.
The company was honored as a PADI Project AWARE partner for its on-going commitment to marine conservation.
