Northern or Southern Channel Islands?

[MacLir]

I am looking forward to visiting California for the first time this June; it will be a family vacation, but I have four consecutive days to dive. There are two options I am considering and I would appreciate your local insight regarding which of these two options is likely to produce the best experience. Expense-wise, the two options appear to be a wash. By way of background, I am an ‘intermediate’ diver (dive wet) and do most of my diving in the cold water environs off Massachusetts/NH/Maine. My goals for CA diving would be to do the Kelp Beds, see some of those colorful nudis, and, if possible, see some sea lions U/W.

The first option is to do four single day boat dives with the Spectre out of Ventura. Destination would be Northern Channel Islands (looks like mostly Anacapa). To do this, I will need to rent a car since the family will be based in Carlsbad; this would entail some lengthy drive times. I would plan to sleep on the boat.

The other option is a three day liveaboard with Horizon Charters out of San Diego. Potential destinations listed are Catalina, Santa Barbara, San Clemente, and Cortes Bank (the latter only if conditions are ideal). Although I would like to pick up a fourth day to do Wreck Alley, it looks like that would be difficult based on the schedules I see for other SD boats online (since the open day is a Thursday.)

So: What would you do?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Empty V]

I am looking forward to visiting California for the first time this June; it will be a family vacation, but I have four consecutive days to dive. There are two options I am considering and I would appreciate your local insight regarding which of these two options is likely to produce the best experience. Expense-wise, the two options appear to be a wash. By way of background, I am an ‘intermediate’ diver (dive wet) and do most of my diving in the cold water environs off Massachusetts/NH/Maine. My goals for CA diving would be to do the Kelp Beds, see some of those colorful nudis, and, if possible, see some sea lions U/W.

The first option is to do four single day boat dives with the Spectre out of Ventura. Destination would be Northern Channel Islands (looks like mostly Anacapa). To do this, I will need to rent a car since the family will be based in Carlsbad; this would entail some lengthy drive times. I would plan to sleep on the boat.

The other option is a three day liveaboard with Horizon Charters out of San Diego. Potential destinations listed are Catalina, Santa Barbara, San Clemente, and Cortes Bank (the latter only if conditions are ideal). Although I would like to pick up a fourth day to do Wreck Alley, it looks like that would be difficult based on the schedules I see for other SD boats online (since the open day is a Thursday.)

So: What would you do?

Thanks in advance.

My suggestion is if you're going to do a trip out of Ventura get on the Peace instead of the Spectre. Being a northern islands guy I personally think the liveaboard would be a better bet. If you could do Cortez Bank that would be amazing. That's on my list of semi-local places to dive.

Billy

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Since you'll be in Carlsbad, I would take one of the San Diego boats, probably the Lois Ann to the Coronados Islands for the sea lions and nudibranchs one day, the Catalina Express out of Dana Point for the Avalon Underwater Park another day, then make beach dives at La Jolla Cove and La Jolla Shores the third, saving the money from the fourth day plus rental car to take the family to Disneyland, Legoland, Seaworld, the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park.

 

[drbill]

I think both Phil and Billy offer some good suggestions. As a resident of one of the southern islands, there is a lot more obvious marine life in the colder and more productive northern islands. I always find plenty to film up there. Although the vis is generally much poorer in the San Diego area, I do tend to find more species off LJS than I do on a similar dive here on Catalina.

One issue is whether you feel comfortable doing shore dives or prefer the relative simplicity (but added cost) of boat dives.

 

[dpbishop]

I would recommend doing the live aboard. If the visibility is good, and it usually is in June, you could do a beach dive or two at La Jolla Cove on Thursday. If it gunks up, dive La Jolla Shores. If you can't get a buddy, talk the family into snorkeling at La Jolla Cove. When people meet a Garibaldi while snorkeling it often inspires them to take up diving.

 

[JMdiver]

You can also go up to Santa Barbara & do a multi-day on one of the Truth Aquatics dive boats, they are really great dive boats.

John

 

[Mo2vation]

Like Phil said, out of Carlsbad, SD is your best bet.

But IMO, the 'nado's stink. Its a LONG ride out there, the boats in SD (most of them) are "day boats" so there are no bunks - making the ride even longer. On top of that, after decades of un-restricted fishing, Coronados are essentially an urchin barren with some sea lions. I've been there 4 times and will never go again.

If you're in SD, consider the Lois Ann or the Marissa. They can take you to some great local sites, including wreck alley. You'll see kelp, you'll see Nudis and you will likely get buzzed by Sea Lions.

If Sea Lions is a must, the 'nados will work. But its a steep price to pay for a Sea Lion dive.

You'd be better off going up to Ventura and going out on the Peace or the Spectre. At least you'll get 4 dives for your money, a shorter trip to the island (Anacapa) you'll see more (especially on the protected side) and its just a better dive. Sure, its a schlep from SD - but the diving on Anacapa crushes the thing they call diving at the Coronados.

---
Ken

 

[Glycerin]

I agree with Ken the 'Nado's are the most overrated dive on the west coast. I was just there on Saturday and ended up bored during the dives. We had some sealoins and only a couple of nudi's.

Get on the Marissa for some nice wreck or point loma kelp diving. Or I would take the Horizon for the live a board.

 

[MacLir]

My thanks to all who responded. I'm going to take a look at the schedules for the other boats mentioned as well to see if I have those options given the dates I have to play with. One follow-up question:

I've been doing a bit of reading in dive guides for SoCal and I'm beginning to get the impression that the dive sites at San Clemente, Santa Barbara and Cortes are generally for the more advanced diver (e.g. due to very stiff currents) and that weather conditions at these three locations are usually marginal increasing the difficulty level (and the odds that these sites will be no-gos for the boat). So, for the liveaboard option, I might wind up sitting out a number of dives that appear above my skill level. Is my impression here accurate?

Thanks again.

 

[Rickster]

My thanks to all who responded. I'm going to take a look at the schedules for the other boats mentioned as well to see if I have those options given the dates I have to play with. One follow-up question:

I've been doing a bit of reading in dive guides for SoCal and I'm beginning to get the impression that the dive sites at San Clemente, Santa Barbara and Cortes are generally for the more advanced diver (e.g. due to very stiff currents) and that weather conditions at these three locations are usually marginal increasing the difficulty level (and the odds that these sites will be no-gos for the boat). So, for the liveaboard option, I might wind up sitting out a number of dives that appear above my skill level. Is my impression here accurate?

Thanks again.

Most of the boats have alternate plans for foul weather. They usually head for more protected divesites. Also, most of the trips and divesites are geared for visiting divers, so, most sites are diveable by most. The DM will ascess the divers on board (or at least they should, if they are doing their job correctly), and chose the sites best suited for the divers onboard. There are special trips for the more advanced divers, but, usually they will specify in the info for these trips.

Thank you,
Rick