Diving with Sea Lions

[diverrex]

Here's a vote for Santa Barbara Island. March 2007 we did a dive there on the Great Escape. We saw sea lions on all three dives but on the 3rd dive a group of at least 40 of them followed us for over 20 minutes all the way back to the boat. It was great fun having them swimming all around us, nipping at our fins, doing acrobatics, etc. Here's a photo of them once we got back on the boat.

 

[scottfiji]

As others have mentioned, the rookery in santa barbara is the best bet in so-cal, as the photo above shows. They will need to jump on a special charter to santa barbara, which don't run every week.

Cathedral cove in anacapa is an option too, but the boats to anacapa don't always stop at that site, they can call the peace or spectre ahead of time to see if they will make a stop there.

You usually see a few at the oil rigs, which is another special charter, but they are a little shyer there.

They are unlikely to see them at laguna or catalina.

hope this helps,
Scott

 

[fnfalman]

The Spectre boat usually would stop at one of the underwater arches that has a small rookery nearby (might be Cathedral Cove). But during the winter, it seems like slim pickin' for the sea lions. During spring & summer, the sea lions were out in droves. Here's a crappy 1-second video of us getting buzzed by the sea lions.

Video of Sea Lions background - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

 

[JMdiver]

We were out on the Spectre last weekend & Ted always trys to hit at least one seal/sea lion spot.

John

 

[Mo2vation]

We've seen a few out there.

Yeah - what John said... Ted usually puts us on one site with several.

With Anacapa and the Spectre, its very low cost, you get 3 (or usually 4) dives in, you can sleep aboard the boat so no pre-dawn drive to get there, the dives are shallow so you get mad BT, and unlike the 'nados, there is something else to see when you're not on the sea lion spot.

The rookery at SBI is a SURE thing, but its a long azz boat ride to get there, and when you're there... well, you're there. Although there is lots to see and dive at SBI, the trip is so long out there that you generally leave the night before, you generally pay an up-charge to get there, and because the travel time is so long you'll usually do your other one or two dives in very, very close proximity to the Rookery. And all of the really great diving is on the opposite side of the island. No one-day boat I've ever been on has dived the Rookery and the good stuff. Its usually the Rookery then some sand hole near by, then hustle back onto the boat to strap in for several hours back home.

Anacapa is just a better, shorter, cheaper, more comfortable day.


---
Ken




































.
.
.
.
.
.

 

[WannaLaguna]

We've seen a few out there.

Yeah - what John said... Ted usually puts us on one site with several.

With Anacapa and the Spectre, its very low cost, you get 3 (or usually 4) dives in, you can sleep aboard the boat so no pre-dawn drive to get there, the dives are shallow so you get mad BT, and unlike the 'nados, there is something else to see when you're not on the sea lion spot.

The rookery at SBI is a SURE thing, but its a long azz boat ride to get there, and when you're there... well, you're there. Although there is lots to see and dive at SBI, the trip is so long out there that you generally leave the night before, you generally pay an up-charge to get there, and because the travel time is so long you'll usually do your other one or two dives in very, very close proximity to the Rookery. And all of the really great diving is on the opposite side of the island. No one-day boat I've ever been on has dived the Rookery and the good stuff. Its usually the Rookery then some sand hole near by, then hustle back onto the boat to strap in for several hours back home.

Anacapa is just a better, shorter, cheaper, more comfortable day.


---
Ken

Ken, those are awesome pics! Talk about nice viz. I'm new to SoCal diving. My wife and I move out here in June. I had my first experience with ( a couple) sea lions at Deadman's in Laguna a few weeks ago and it was awesome! I don't think I've laughed through my regs so much on one dive.

I would definitely rate that dive as one of my favs, and that's saying a lot. I used to live and work on Grand Cayman and ran regular Stingray City tours as well as all the deep wall dives.

Interacting with these cute little guys/girls was very special. I'm looking forward to jumping on that boat and heading out for my next up close and personal visit!

thanks for sharing!

Dive Safe,

Jeff

 

[Ex Nihilo]

If you would rather do a shore dive in LA I could show you a spot which regularly has 5 harbor seals. Access is challenging, though.