Snorkel Gear Rentals - A' La Carte

The shop stocks wetsuits in a wide range of adult and children sizes. Staff assist with fitting before you head to the water.

Wetsuits are highly recommended. Water temperatures at Catalina range from the mid-50s to low-60s Fahrenheit year-round. Without a wetsuit, extended snorkeling sessions can become uncomfortable quickly. The wetsuit package keeps you warm and extends your enjoyment significantly.

No experience is necessary — gear here suits both first-time and experienced snorkelers.

Common sunscreens contain chemicals that can harm marine life, so please use a reef-safe, non-nano mineral sunscreen and avoid products with oxybenzone, octinoxate, or parabens.

You can select and rent individual pieces of gear separately, rather than booking a fixed package. Choose any combination — for example, just a mask and snorkel, or fins plus a wetsuit and hood — and each item is available for a 2-hour, 1-day, 2-day, 3-day, or 4-day rental.

A 5mm wetsuit offers more warmth than a 3mm and suits cooler water or longer sessions, while a 3mm is a lighter option for warmer conditions or shorter outings.

Snorkel fins are shorter and easier to maneuver at the surface, while free diving fins are longer, offering more propulsion for divers looking to swim further or dive down for a closer look.

A weight system is optional and typically used by more experienced snorkelers or free divers looking to stay submerged more easily; it isn't required for standard surface snorkeling.

Flying too soon after scuba diving can be dangerous and may lead to decompression sickness. Divers Alert Network (DAN) guidelines recommend waiting at least 12 hours after a single no-decompression dive before flying or driving above 1,000 ft (305 m) elevation, and longer if you complete multiple dives. Please check with your instructor before making travel plans.

You can dive with facial hair, but it may prevent a tight seal between your mask and face, which can let water leak in. Shaving your mustache beforehand is often recommended, or you can apply petroleum jelly or chapstick along the mustache line to help create a seal.

You can't wear glasses under a dive mask, but contacts work well and are often the best option for clear vision underwater. Prescription masks are welcome if you have your own, since rental shops typically don't carry them.

All dives are led by PADI-certified instructors who guide you through both the topside briefing and your time in the water.

The kelp forest at Casino Point is home to garibaldi, kelp bass, sheepshead, moray eels, octopus, and even giant sea bass. Visibility here regularly exceeds 50 feet, making it one of the best shore diving spots for spotting marine life in Southern California.