Channel Islands boat options?

[Ceak]

Hello,

We're planning a little SoCal road trip for mid to end of August and we would love to dive the Channel Islands (either 1-2 days of kelp, sea lions or both), hoping someone has a boat or dive op to recommend...

Thanks!

 

[USCScubaboy]

Here's a link to upcoming boat dives in SoCal so you can get an idea of what's available.

California Diving News - Dive Trips - Directory

 

[robint]

another place to look at the list of boats and their individual websites:
California Dive Boats : The Official Page

just be aware that boats don't go out every day of the week, weekends are for sure but weekdays are not. Check each boats schedule.

another option is to take the ferry over to Catalina and stay in a hotel there. Do the shore dive and/or boat dives from one of the dive ops there in Avalon.
Catalina Scuba Luv: Scuba Dive, Snorkel, Snuba Dive Catalina Island California
Catalina Divers Supply on Catalina Island in Avalon CA

robin

 

[TSandM]

I've done one day trip and two liveaboard trips on the Peace, and I would recommend the boat with absolutely no reservations. It's a very comfortable boat and well organized for divers. The crew ROCKS -- they work their tails off to make sure everybody has a good time. The food on the boat is excellent. I really can't think of anything to criticize, except they need more electrical outlets

 

[Leejnd]

^^^What she said!

I'm a Peace-a-holic myself. It's my favorite dive boat in SoCal. And if you want to get to the Northern Channel Islands, where you'll find a more pristine underwater environment (more healthy kelp beds, more active sea lion rookeries, fewer urchin barrens and brittle-star blankets), then the boats out of Ventura are the way to go. I've been on three of the four - Peace, Raptor, and Spectre. All of them have pros and cons - Peace edges the others out in my book, but you'd have a great trip on any of them.

 

[fnfalman]

Multiple-days trip = Peace dive boat.

Single day trips = Peace boat (if it's on their schedule), Great Escape, Spectre, Sundiver.

Technical/advanced dives = Seabass.

 

[blue steal]

Gotta love the Peace Boat. Hope to go on her again this summer.

 

[Leejnd]

I'll be on Peace next Sunday! :banana:

 

[diverrex]

Peace

 

[Ceak]

Thanks for all the replies and links, I'll have a look at the schedules. Which islands or sites should I aim for? I've never seen kelp or sea lions before so that would be awesome, sharks are always welcome