The Catalina MPA Brochure provides an overview of the MPAs surrounding Catalina Island. It features images of MPA boundaries as they would be seen on the water.
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Exploring California’s Marine Protected Areas: Farnsworth Onshore State Marine Conservation Area and Farnsworth Offshore State Marine Conservation Area
Located around 20 miles off the Southern California mainland, Santa Catalina Island is a popular destination for those looking to enjoy island living. Kayak tours, glass bottom boats, jet ski excursions, and snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities await the numerous visitors who venture here every year.

Exploring California’s Marine Protected Areas: Casino Point State Marine Conservation Area
California offers some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in the world, thanks to its magnificent kelp forests. An underwater counterpart to the incomparable redwood forests on land, divers glide through kelp stipes and blades just as birds soar through forest tree branches and leaves. As you gaze down at the sea floor, sunlight filters […]

Exploring California’s Marine Protected Areas: Blue Cavern Onshore State Marine Conservation Area and Blue Cavern Offshore State Marine Conservation Area
Just twenty miles off the coast of Los Angeles, Santa Catalina Island is home to about 4,000 people and nine marine protected areas (MPAs), including Blue Cavern Onshore State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) and Blue Cavern Offshore SMCA. Protected from strong winds on the leeward side of Santa Catalina Island, Blue Cavern Onshore SMCA covers about 2½ nautical miles of […]