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Snorkel & Kayak in Catalina: Community Science Program

Thu, Jul 18

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Avalon

We have partnered with Bleu World to bring an extraordinary summer opportunity to students in SoCal! Join us in our community science snorkeling program. Click to read more...

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Snorkel & Kayak in Catalina: Community Science Program
Snorkel & Kayak in Catalina: Community Science Program

Time & Location

Jul 18, 2024, 7:15 AM – 7:30 PM

Avalon, Catalina Casino, 1 Casino Way, Avalon, CA 90704, USA

About the event

Date: Wednesday, July 18th 2024

Time: 7:15 am - 7:15 pm (This time includes ferry to Catalina and full snorkel/kayak day)

Location: Casino Point Dive Park, Avalon

Cost: See Options Below

Full Program Includes:

Round trip ferry to Catalina Island

All snorkeling, kayaking & scientific dive gear

Survey Briefings & Fish ID Training

REEF Snorkeling Surveys

Data entry in the field

Fish I.D. video to study at home

Snacks throughout the day

Join Bleu World’s team of community scientists on Catalina Island to learn about our kelp forests, contribute to research on the biodiversity of these precious ecosystems, and become a steward of the underwater world. Your day on the island will begin by learning how to identify the fish that call our kelp forests home. When you’re ready, you’ll hop into the ocean on our kayaks and with our guides to paddle 3/4 mile down the coast to our snorkel site. Students will conduct a citizen science survey by counting the fish you see and recording that data on a slate created by REEF’s Volunteer Fish Survey Project. When you’re not in the water, you and your group will eliminate marine debris by cleaning the coastline of your survey site and have fun with fellow marine science students!

Our July 18th Citizen Science Snorkel program takes place at Bleu Grotto. In contrast to our June snorkel at the Casino Dive Park, this area does not fall within a protected area. As a result, there are boats that anchor and fish here, invasive algae called Sargassum that has taken up residence here, and marine debris from Avalon that floats here on the waves. Despite all of these conservation issues, however, Bleu Grotto is resilient. There’s a coziness in the lush plant life that covers the reef and a familiarity in the friendly faces of the Lobsters and Garibaldi you encounter all across the site. Located about 3/4 miles down the coast of Catalina and accessible by kayak, Bleu Grotto was named by our team to represent the beautiful simplicity of its underwater ecosystems. 

The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever

~ Jacques Cousteau

July 18th approximate itinerary:

7:15 meet at the Ferry in Long Beach

8:15 arrive in Avalon

Participants arrive at Green Pier and begin checking out kayaks & snorkel gear

Kayak to Bleu Grotto ~ 3/4 miles down the coast

Briefing on community science, REEF, and kelp forest ecosystems

Snorkel: Getting comfortable in the water and practicing fish ID

Beach cleanup and lunch

Kayak back to Avalon ~ 3/4 miles down the coast

Debrief and gear return

Free time in Avalon with the group and dinner

6:30 Return Ferry

7:30 Arrive in Long Beach for Pick-up

What ages is this good for?

AGE requirement: Recommended for Grades 3rd-12th and families

Grades 5th and below will need an adult 18+ to accompany them in the water. Please plan on sending a chaperone.

Grades 6th+ will be with BleuWorld and HFAC educators, and their dive partner, in and out of the water.

Student MUST be comfortable swimming in the deep end at a pool. Please only send students that want to snorkel.:)

Do I drop-off or can I stay?

Grades 6th+, Drop-off at Catalina Express in Long Beach at 7:15 a.m. or in Avalon at 8:15 a.m....go enjoy your day while your student is collecting scientific data! All students in 5th and below will need an adult with them in the water at all times. These adults will need their own separate ticket. Please note that daily parking at Catalina Express is $24.95. If you are curb-side dropping off with us, there is no need to pay for the parking fee.

What do students bring?

We will be sending out an Everything You Need to Know email at least one-week in advance. Students should bring a backpack with a change of clothes, bathing suit, sweatshirt, and a packed lunch with snacks. Included in the price are more snacks and all kayaking, snorkeling equipment and wetsuits are included in the price. This backpack should be comfortably carried. 

Cost:

Entire Program (Includes Ferry) - $269

Science Program Only for student or parent, no ferry (meet us in Avalon) - $169

Ferry Only, for those that are going to the island with us, but not participating in the educational sessions: $94

 

If you have any questions, please reach out to us!

If you need additional study materials for your student, we can recommend some books and websites for their grade level. Let us know!

Thank you...see you in the underwater world.

<3

NOTES: 

Payment Plan available through AfterPay

Partial refunds available depending of the date of cancellation.

If the trip is cancelled due to ferry cancellation, the entire cost of the program will be refunded to you or applied as an HFAC credit to other events.

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