Anacapa conditions

[LeFlaneur]

Hi CA divers,

A friend has invited me out to Santa Barbara and wants to do a day trip on one of the boats (Peace, Spectre, etc.) in late July.

Since I'm relatively inexperienced, this will be the coldest, and (depending on conditions) possibly lowest visibility dive I've done to date. Basically I'm weighing the options.

I've heard that summer is not the best time for visibility in the Channel Islands, any commets?

Also, NOAA says average surface temp is 64 degrees f. I'll probalby leave the 3mm wetsuit at home and rent a 7mm with hood. Should I bother bringing my 5mm boots and 3mm gloves or will I end up with cold feet and hands?

Any other advice, tips and warnings would you give to someone whose experience is limited to the warm clear waters of Florida and the Caribbean? Thermalcline, currents, etc.

Thanks

 

[miket]

Hi CA divers,

A friend has invited me out to Santa Barbara and wants to do a day trip on one of the boats (Peace, Spectre, etc.) in late July.

Since I'm relatively inexperienced, this will be the coldest, and (depending on conditions) possibly lowest visibility dive I've done to date. Basically I'm weighing the options.

I've heard that summer is not the best time for visibility in the Channel Islands, any commets?

Also, NOAA says average surface temp is 64 degrees f. I'll probalby leave the 3mm wetsuit at home and rent a 7mm with hood. Should I bother bringing my 5mm boots and 3mm gloves or will I end up with cold feet and hands?

Any other advice, tips and warnings would you give to someone whose experience is limited to the warm clear waters of Florida and the Caribbean? Thermalcline, currents, etc.

Thanks

I dove last year at Anacapa from the Spectre. The water temp at depth was 52. It is very cold at that island, Catalina is much warmer. I would bring your boots and gloves (I have 5mm gloves and my hands are cold by the last dive).

None of the spots we dove had bad currents. There was lots of crazy surge at one site. The thermocline is very strong and the water can go from 60 to 52 in just a few feet. Remember that with a 7mm suit and hood you will need more weight than you are used to.

You also will be diving in Kelp forests. If you have no experience in this I would make sure to at least talk to the DM on the boat for some instruction. I usually bring a knife when I know I will be in thick kelp just in case, it is easy to snap it in your hands though.

Visibility when I was there last year was between 20 and 50 feet. I have pictures from many Anacapa dives at http://socaldivevideos.com . There is lots of cool sea life out at Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands. Many day boats visit both in a single day.

- Cheers,
MikeT

 

[wrinkles]

You will need a 7 mil suit to be warm. Booties. gloves, and a hood are also a must.

Ana

 

[Ancient Mariner]

I dove Anacapa 2 weeks ago off the Peace . I wore my 7.5 mil Excel with integrated hood, heavy booties and gloves, and did not get chilled. I recommend the Peace ---- well set up boat with excellent crew. You can count on Capt. Kevin to find the best diving for that day. Do get checked out on kelp diving---- some of my favorite dives and not dangerous if you know and follow the rules.
Again I'm happy to see more warm water divers discovering the pleasures of the Calif. Channel Islands. Enjoy!

 

[dazedone]

I was out at Anacapa 2 weeks ago. Peace and Spectre are both great boats. I like the setup of the Spectre better since it is larger than the Peace and has these cubbyhole-type dive stations. The Peace seems a bit more crowded. Both have hot-tubs. You really cannot go wrong with either vessel.

As far as Anacapa viz was 15-35 ft depending where you go andm IMHO is a good site for people new to socal diving. There is not a lot of kelp (at least not as much as Catalina) and the dives are shallow. In my last nine dives there I never got down past 55ft and most of the dives were 35ft max.

There were a ton of sea lions out there last month, which makes for an interesting diving. Here are some photos I took out at Anacapa last month:

http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/593

Enjoy the diving out there!

 

[czzzaar]

Hi CA divers,

A friend has invited me out to Santa Barbara and wants to do a day trip on one of the boats (Peace, Spectre, etc.) in late July.

Since I'm relatively inexperienced, this will be the coldest, and (depending on conditions) possibly lowest visibility dive I've done to date. Basically I'm weighing the options.

I've heard that summer is not the best time for visibility in the Channel Islands, any commets?

Also, NOAA says average surface temp is 64 degrees f. I'll probalby leave the 3mm wetsuit at home and rent a 7mm with hood. Should I bother bringing my 5mm boots and 3mm gloves or will I end up with cold feet and hands?

Any other advice, tips and warnings would you give to someone whose experience is limited to the warm clear waters of Florida and the Caribbean? Thermalcline, currents, etc.

Thanks

I use a 5mm hood and 3mm gloves year-round. The 7mm suit should be good as long as it fits well.

 

[LeFlaneur]

Thanks for the tips... I'll give a "first timers" report when I return.