You’ll be hard pressed to find a more concentrated collection of excellent California dive sites than in and around the Isthmus of Catalina Island. You have Ship Rock, Bird Rock, Blue Cavern Point and numerous other coves and points. But for size and variety, Isthmus Reef wins.
Isthmus Reef lies almost smack-dab in the middle of Isthmus Cove. The shallow rocky plateau covers several underwater acres. Main attraction for the underwater enthusiast is the extensive shallow reef sections and the walls on three of the four sides—east, west and north.
The most dramatic drop-off is on the north side with several underwater cliffs, one dropping from 25 feet to 70 feet. On the east and west end of the reef, the drops are more stair-stepped, sometimes in a series of mini-walls and many with dramatic overhangs. Scattered all around on all sides are caves that vary in size, from just a few feet deep to one that goes at least 30 feet back. Most have entrances that are too small for diver penetration, but all have scads of lobster—sometimes dozens in one hole.
During lobster season this is a popular diving area, especially on night dives as the lobster venture forth to feed. Lobsters are always here, but if you are hunting, hit this spot early in the season or all the legal bugs will be gone.
A healthy kelp growth spreads out across the top of the reef and extends down the stair-step sections. The shallow reef top is a delight on a sunny day with abundant light and color. Golden señorita fish dart about with bright orange garibaldi as companions. The rocks are alive with color in a salad bowl of colorful algae, dashed with bright colored blue-banded gobys. Of all the reefs of Catalina Island, Isthmus Reef seems to have more blue-banded gobys per square foot than any other.
The stair-steps rock faces on the east and west are my favorite sections. Here you will find rockfish, bright yellow and black striped treefish, aggregating coral, big bushes of gorgonian and more. It is an excellent area for the photographer, both wide angle and macro. For the macro photographer, there is a wide variety of reef fish, and in shooting wide angle the island is not close by to obstruct sunlit backgrounds.
Isthmus Reef is a spot that will take several dives to fully explore. With a variety of depths, and a low occurrence of current, all skill levels can dive here. And dive charter boats visit this spot often. Dive Spot At • A • Glance Location: Large reef area at the center of Isthmus Cove. Shallowest point (breaks the surface at low tide) on the east end in marked by a light. (Marked on some charts as “Harbor Reef.”) Skill level: All. Depths: 10 to 90 feet. Visibility: Very good averaging 40 feet. Best on the east end. Snorkeling: Very good in the shallows. Photography: Excellent both macro and wide angle. Hunting: Good for lobster in season. Spearfishing better elsewhere. Suggested Dive Charter Boats Frequently Serving This Area: Aquatica - (818) 400-7439 Mr. C - (310) 521-9737 Island Time - (866) 488-3483 Magician - 661-268-0590
or see the California Scuba Calendar section of this issue for trips to Catalina Island.
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You’ll be hard pressed to find a more concentrated collection of excellent California dive sites than in and around the Isthmus of Catalina Island. You have Ship Rock, Bird Rock, Blue Cavern Point and numerous other coves and points. But for size and variety, Isthmus Reef wins.
A healthy kelp growth spreads out across the top of the reef and extends down the stair-step sections. The shallow reef top is a delight on a sunny day with abundant light and color. Golden señorita fish dart about with bright orange garibaldi as companions. The rocks are alive with color in a salad bowl of colorful algae, dashed with bright colored blue-banded gobys. Of all the reefs of Catalina Island, Isthmus Reef seems to have more blue-banded gobys per square foot than any other.
Dive Spot At • A • Glance