Santa Catalina Island

This Scuba Diving Spot Was Just Named No. 1 in the U.S.—Here's What It's Like

"Named the best place to scuba dive in the United States by PADI, this island is prized for its towering kelp forests (reaching about 100 feet), protected marine areas, and spectacular wreck dives. Divers commonly encounter a wide variety of wildlife — from giant sea bass (notably large and critically endangered) and the bright orange garibaldi to horn sharks, sea urchins, spiny lobsters, sea cucumbers, seals, and elusive moray eels — and underwater visibility and behavior are aided by the area's conservation protections. The locale was popularized by Jacques Cousteau, who is commemorated with a plaque 40 feet below the surface, and visitors can join organized cleanups that contribute data to global conservation efforts." - Acacia Gabriel