Catalina Ranks Tops in Diving

SANTA CATALINA ISLAND, Calif. Once again, Santa Catalina Island has scored #1 Shore Diving destination in North America and is in the top four of every other category that divers look for when deciding their next dive vacation.

In the January 2008 issue of Scuba Diving Magazine, readers gave Catalina Island (Channel Islands) high marks in the Shore Diving category for diving excellence in the Underwater Dive Park adjacent to the Avalon Casino.

According to Brad Wilson, chief marketing officer for the Santa Catalina Island Company, which features access to dive packages on its website www.visitcatalinaisland.com, Avalon and other spots scattered around the island offer a pristine underwater world of thriving kelp forests that are home to calico bass, sheephead, opaleye and bright orange garibaldi, California's state saltwater fish:

"The crystal seas off of the Avalon coast attract divers from around the world, because they meet the highest standard as one of the healthiest marine environments on the planet.  It makes scuba diving in Avalon an experience one never forgets." Wilson adds that the Island also enjoyed high scores in the following North America categories:

#1-Top spot for macro life (small marine life)
#2-Beginner diving destinations
#3-Underwater photography
#3- Healthiest marine environment
#3-Top dive destination
#4-Top value

For additional information on Catalina Island and complete vacation packages that include accommodations, transportation, and activities, call 800-626-4804 (Avalon), www.VisitCatalinaIsland.com. For Two Harbors, call 310-510-0303, www.VisitTwoHarbors.com.  Hotel Villa Portofino in Avalon, reminiscent of small European hotels, can be reached at 888-510-0555, www.HotelVillaPortofino.com. For Catalina Express schedules, call 800-429-4601, www.CatalinaExpress.com.
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