Expected Conditions August Channel Islands

[billt4sf]

We are thinking of going on a dive trip to the northern channel islands in August. Our experience of conditions in Monterey in the summer (just one summer so far) were pretty poor. We need 10 feet of viz -- repeat: WE NEED 10 FEET of VIZ.

I know there are no guarantees, but what are the chances we'll get 10 feet of viz over a three-day period in late August?

Thanks,

Bill

 

[zf2nt]

Wesley and I take a 4 day Vision trip every year in either late August or early September. As you said, there are no guarantees, but we almost always have great visibility (60' or more). The one semi-exception I can recall was one dive at Farnsworth where it looked like pea soup as we went down. But once we dropped below 100', it opened up and we must have had 100' of visibility. The crud was right above us with a boundary layer so distinct it was hard to resist the urge to stick your hand up to see if it would disappear!

IMHO, August/September is the best time of year to go to the Channel Islands. Just make sure you finish your trip before lobster season opens.

Bruce

 

[billt4sf]

Thanks Bruce!

No way are we dropping through 100' ft of crud, no matter what lies beneath. That is just not within our limits! We need to see one another at all times.

But I take your point about viz in the Channel Islands -- and thanks!

- Bill

 

[Rob Wilks]

I've had several trips to the northern islands, and I've had awesome vis most of the time, say 80-90%. All of my trips have been in the late summer and early fall. Temps are around 58-65 or so. Sometimes warmer. If you are going out on a live aboard, you'll find the vis will vary greatly. Know the captain will want the best conditions possible for you and will work to make it so.
All in all, I'd say your chances of good vis may be good, though who knows really.
I've used my dry suit a few times, though I prefer wet down there. I just find it to warm top side, and the water temp is perfect for my 7-8 mil suit with a vest if needed. But that's me...
The best advice I've had for a tank, is a steel 120 (thanks Bruce!). If you can swing that do it.
hope this helps you out. Have a good time!

 

[Scubagolf]

Late August in the Channel Islands out of Santa Barbara or Ventura should bring water temps in the low to mid 60's and viz 50' +. No guarantees but likely.

 

[TSandM]

My experience has been that lousy viz in the Channel Islands is better than 10'.

 

[drbill]

San Miguel can often have poorer vis than the nearer islands like Anacapa. Depending on nutrient availability, summer can be a period of high phytoplankton productivity and that is often very true out at San Miguel. Santa Cruz and Anacapa may have very good vis during the same period. I've been to San Miguel five times and don't remember less than 15 ft vis there although the water was thick with plankton including krill (and the surrounding waters with humpback and blue whales). If this does develop into an El Nino year, elevated water temperatures may deplete nutrients sufficiently to yield pretty good vis.

 

[Mr Carcharodon]

No wait I think of the Channel Islands as being southern California. Well I guess that is pretty arbitrary.

We do get plankton blooms early summer that can drop visibility well below 10 fsw, but by the time mid to late August rolls around that should not be a problem. Anacapa is nice to dive with the sea lions. And San Miguel is a great trip for the abalone although you may see more of those farther up the coast. The operators from Ventura and Santa Barbara are all good.

 

[PJU]

We are considering a family trip to the Channel Islands (near Santa Barbara) in August- we are all PADI open water, 3 x 16 yr old kids, likely 3-4 adults. Have never been there...most diving so far has been Cozumel, Roatan, Belize, so looking for a different place not too far from home in San Diego. Advice from those who know the Islands? Good place to see? Typical conditions, life, flora/fauna? Suggestions all welcome. Thanks.

 

[zf2nt]

With a group that large, you should look into renting a house on Catalina. There a lots of them there, all within walking distance of everything, and with a group like that the cost per person is very reasonable. You can shore dive at Casino Point with an easy entry/exit, clear water, and be protected from the open swells. After you've become acclimated to the "cold" water, you may want to go on one of the day boats that operates out of Avalon. BTW, "cold" means about 70F on the surface, 60F at depth. For most of us, that means a 1 piece full body 7mm suit.