Snorkel & Kayak in Catalina: Community Science Program
Thu, Jul 18
|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...
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.Â
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.Â
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
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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:Â
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.