The Avalon Underwater Cleanup is an annual dive event held at Avalon Harbor on Catalina Island. The event was started in the 1970s by the local dive community in an effort to cleanup Avalon Harbor, and this event is the only time diving is permitted in the Harbor. Over the years, this event has grown to become one of the most popular dive events in Southern California.
This years’ cleanup will be held on Saturday, February 23. The dive site is at the Green Pier at Avalon Harbor.
In years’ past over 500 divers have had a great time retrieving trash and lost items from the harbor as well as celebrating the event. There are numerous parties around town on both Friday and Saturday nights as divers revel in the warm friendly atmosphere of Catalina Island. Several dive clubs also have made this event one of their premier social events of the year.
The proceeds of the Avalon Harbor Underwater Cleanup benefit the USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber and the Catalina Conservancy’s Robert E. Given Fund for Ocean Conservation and Educational Outreach established in the name of Dr. Robert Given. The USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber is a 24/7 emergency recompression facility on Catalina that serves thousands of divers who frequent the waters of Southern California.
To register for the event and find more information, visit the Catalina Island Conservancy website here.
Catalina Island Hyperbaric Chamber