Avalon, California, United States

Catalina Italian Gardens Pinnacle

The East End Pinnacle (also referred to colloquially within Italian Gardens by some operators) is a granite pinnacle rising from 30 metres on the surrounding sand to about 12 metres on top, sitting at the east end of Santa Catalina Island in California. Its exposed offshore position makes it a reliable intercept point for pelagic species moving along the coast. The site is well known among local divers for the summer aggregation of giant black sea bass (Stereolepis gigas), federally protected and reaching 2 metres and 200 kg. Other reliable species include schools of jack mackerel and barracuda over the pinnacle top, large lingcod and cabezon among the boulders, blue and olive rockfish, kelp greenling, sheephead, garibaldi and pelagic visitors such as bonito and the occasional ocean sunfish in late summer. Currents are reliably moderate to strong; advanced certification, surface marker buoy and good gas planning required. Visibility 12 to 25 metres.