Lover’s Cove

Specialties

Lover’s Cove is a protected marine preserve that yields the best snorkeling on Catalina Island.

We offer snorkeling equipment rentals, including thick wet suits and snorkeling Eco-​tours.

Additionally, we provide scuba instruction at all levels: Introductory Dives (No Experience Necessary), Guided Kelp Forest Dives, Refresher Dives, Night Dives and all levels of certification classes.

Lover’s Cove is located next to the Avalon boat landing.

History

Established in 1974.

Site name: Lover’s Cove State Marine Conservation Area

Year established: 1974

Approximate Area: 0.02 nm2

Approximate Shoreline length: 0.30 nm

Approximate Depth range (feet): 0 to 105

Habitat types: Composed of approximately 80% hard bottom. Giant kelp in shallow water.

Surrounding habitat types: Rocky and pebble shoreline adjacent to site. Sandy/​soft bottom offshore.

Summary of existing regulations: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited except the commercial take of finfish and kelp.

Primary objectives: Although some harvest is officially allowed, all harvest and diving is unofficially prohibited by local authority. This small MPA adjacent to Avalon Cove is frequently used as a tourist destination for glass bottom boats, especially in the summer.

Existing Enforcement: Included as part of normal Department of Fish and Game marine patrol activities for this general area based on available patrol resources and level of fishery activity in the area. Local harbor patrol

Meet the Business Owner

Dave L.

Business Owner

Born October 16, 1963 in Lansing, Michigan, Dave became interested in the wonders of the ocean and scuba diving when introduced to diving through a friend. He began lake diving in 1977 at the ripe old age of 13. He has dove in all five great lakes which includes over 50 wreck dives in both fresh and salt water during his 35 years of diving. His diving experience ranges from ice diving to tropical diving to cenote diving in Mexico. Dave has been diving in and around the Channel Islands for over 26 years, beginning with his very first ocean dive in the Avalon Underwater Park.

Dave received his dive instructor rating in 1990. In his 22 years as a dive instructor, he as certified over 500 individuals in all levels of scuba. In 1991, Dave settled on Catalina Island after spending one summer diving in the waters off the Channel Islands.

To date, Dave has logged over 10,000 dives

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