 Catalina Underwater Wonders
Undersea Tours
Catalina's age of underwater discovery began at the turn of the last century when an enterprising fisherman replaced the bottom of his row boat with a pane of glass. His "glass bottom boat" was an immediate hit with tourists who were fascinated by the island's marine life. Soon, dozens of his fellow fishermen had followed suit and a fleet of glass bottom boats offered tours of Catalina's undersea gardens.
Much has changed since those early forays to show off the island's underwater wonders, but the wonders themselves continue to entice tens of thousands of people to take a peek beneath the surface of the sea.
Visitors who would rather let the fish be the ones who get wet have a couple of choices to experience Catalina's undersea gardens. Glass bottom boats have come a long way since the days of modified row boats. Several offer both day and night time cruises into Lover's Cove, where passengers can watch vast schools of tame fish swarm beneath the vessels, eager for a handout. Three semi-submersibles take the concept one step further. Passengers actually sit beneath the waterline, giving them a fish's eye view on the daytime and nighttime marine life action in Lover's Cove. Glass bottom boat trips and semi-submersible tours are available through Catalina Discovery Tours or Catalina Adventure Tours.
More than 100 years ago that enterprising fisherman realized what thousands have learned since -- however you choose to experience Catalina's undersea gardens, the island's marine wonders are a highlight of any vacation.
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