What to expect diving the Channel Islands

[peraevum]

Hey Kelp Divers

I'm planning a trip to dive the Channel Islands in mid December and would love to see the best of it. As it stands, I'll probably be on the Calboat's Spectre going to Anacapa on a Friday and then to Catalina on the Bottom Scratcher on a Saturday. Does anyone have strong opinions on those two boats or dive sites? Anyone know what sorts of aquatic life are at those sites frequently? I'd love to see a shark for the first time...chances slim?

Thanks!

 

[JMdiver]

Hi Pera,

The two boats you're on are pretty good boats with with good crews. The Spectre has a hot tub, very nice after a day of diving. They usually have classes on broad so they don't go to spots for beginner to advance divers. Most of the spots they go to are good & you'll see anything from our state fish the Garibaldi to the Giant Sea Bass (if you're lucky) also you might see some Octo's, Lobsters & Nudi's oh my. I'm sure you'll have a great time.


John

 

[Bobyjimmie]

The Bottom Scratcher is a great boat with great crew, you will enjoy.

 

[Mo2vation]

Hey Kelp Divers

I'm planning a trip to dive the Channel Islands in mid December and would love to see the best of it. As it stands, I'll probably be on the Calboat's Spectre going to Anacapa on a Friday and then to Catalina on the Bottom Scratcher on a Saturday. Does anyone have strong opinions on those two boats or dive sites? Anyone know what sorts of aquatic life are at those sites frequently? I'd love to see a shark for the first time...chances slim?

Thanks!

You can board the night before, which is always a plus (beats the long drive from my place in MDR to the boat at yawn-o-clock.) Spectre has the best lunch in the SoCal fleet with a killer tri-tip. Usually 4 dives for a day, however with the shorter days some boats are only doing 3 now.

Great tank wells - but they usually pack the boat so it can get a little elbow to elbow. All of the Channel Island boats use a double Anchor system - so you'll be going down the stern anchor line. Easy. The Spectre used to be a tender to the rigs - so its not an elegant boat. It was a commercial boat converted to a dive boat, so the giant stride is giant. Again, no biggie for some, others are not comfy and go off the swimstep at the stern.

Fills are nice. I presume you're renting tanks? Are you staying in SoCal? We have excellent shore diving as well, and myself and our group are out a couple of times a week.

The Spectre is a nice operation.

I will not offer my strong opinions of the Bottom Scratcher. The Capt is a good guy, and he selects good dive sites. That's all I can offer and be civil.

You won't see a "shark" shark - but you may see a Horn Shark or a Swell Shark. Not really sharky, but you can tell your friends at home you saw a shark!

Here are some of my galleries on The Dive Matrix - Scuba Diving Forums, Articles & Travel Directory from Anacapa. I've done a zillion dives there and shot thousands of images. Its a cool place. Two very different sides to the island: the preserve side and the open-to-fishing side.

Anacapa 9_22_07

Here's a link to my ScubaBoard dive report and some shots from the Sept Anacapa dive. Linkage

Anacapa 11_23_07



Here are some pics from a recent Catalina Trip. That's likely where you'll be going on the Bottom Scratcher.

Catalina 11_10_07


You'll have a good time. The SeaLions at Anacapa are just silly. Hopefully Capt Ted will be able to get into "the sealion spot" around the corner from Landing Cove. I love diving there...





Horn Shark. Still a shark, just not too sharky




You're gonna have Fun Fun Fun! I wanna come now...

---
Ken

 

[Sam Miller III]

May I suggest that you referr to the thread "Ayisha and Canadian visitors" listed below. They just returned from a 2 day over night trip on Bottom Scratcher with Captain Greg Elliot.

Greg is the elder statesman of all the Captains in the dive boat fleet.

Mid December would be great choice for diving So Cal area,

good luck,
sdm

 

[ICY ICE]

Hey Kelp Divers

I'm planning a trip to dive the Channel Islands in mid December and would love to see the best of it. As it stands, I'll probably be on the Calboat's Spectre going to Anacapa on a Friday and then to Catalina on the Bottom Scratcher on a Saturday. Does anyone have strong opinions on those two boats or dive sites? Anyone know what sorts of aquatic life are at those sites frequently? I'd love to see a shark for the first time...chances slim?

Thanks!

I might be on the Spectre.... PM me when you're in SoCal

 

[peraevum]

Wow, thanks for all the useful information, guys! My boyfriend and I just yesterday got back from a bit of weekend diving in Texas and are super excited about the upcoming Channel Island dives now. It sounds like we made some good charter choices, whew!

 

[peraevum]

Most of the spots they go to are good & you'll see anything from our state fish the Garibaldi to the Giant Sea Bass (if you're lucky) also you might see some Octo's, Lobsters & Nudi's oh my.

I'd love to see a giant sea bass...it's actually one of my goals on this trip!

 

[peraevum]

You can board the night before, which is always a plus (beats the long drive from my place in MDR to the boat at yawn-o-clock.) Spectre has the best lunch in the SoCal fleet with a killer tri-tip. Usually 4 dives for a day, however with the shorter days some boats are only doing 3 now.

Great tank wells - but they usually pack the boat so it can get a little elbow to elbow. All of the Channel Island boats use a double Anchor system - so you'll be going down the stern anchor line. Easy. The Spectre used to be a tender to the rigs - so its not an elegant boat. It was a commercial boat converted to a dive boat, so the giant stride is giant. Again, no biggie for some, others are not comfy and go off the swimstep at the stern.

Fills are nice. I presume you're renting tanks? Are you staying in SoCal? We have excellent shore diving as well, and myself and our group are out a couple of times a week.

The Spectre is a nice operation.

I will not offer my strong opinions of the Bottom Scratcher. The Capt is a good guy, and he selects good dive sites. That's all I can offer and be civil.

You won't see a "shark" shark - but you may see a Horn Shark or a Swell Shark. Not really sharky, but you can tell your friends at home you saw a shark!

Thanks for all the great tips, Ken. Yep, we'll be renting tanks and probably weights. I hear some of the dive boats don't offer their own equipment rentals. The Spectre seems to, but I'll have to inquire about the Bottom Scratcher. Perhaps there are other charters going out in the Long Beach area that Saturday. I know the Great Escape has one, but it leaves port the night before, which might be cutting it close for us.

By the way, those pictures you took are awesome! I can't wait to swim with sealions!

 

[under water]

Make sure you let the boats know that you need tanks, weights or anything else before you get there.
I did 2 days on the Spectre last May and loved it! I got there the night before and had the boat to myself for sleeping. Not the Ritz.. but the price is good ($0)
I loved the giant step from the deck. Suiting up was a bit crowded, but not bad. The wetsuit divers loved the hot tub.. Bring your drysuit!
Those are great pix of the sea lions above. You will very likely see them, but you may not get the nice viz of the pictures above. You will see Garibaldi, lots of colorful gorgonia and starfish, Spanish Shawl nudibranchs and probably a few Sheepshead. I didn't see a shark.. but you might
Here are some pix from my trip. http://delargy.com/2007_05_California/california_2007.htm
Do a search on YouTube .. there are some great videos there.
Enjoy!!