The Channel Islands of California are a chain of eight islands located in the Pacific Ocean 20 miles off the coast of Santa Barbara California. 5 of the islands,  Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel and Santa Barbara comprise the Channel Islands National Park and Marine Sanctuary. The National Park and Marine Sanctuary are so stunning, that divers often refer to it as the Fiji of America.

The Channel Islands are part of one of the richest marine parks of the world. Many unique species of plants and animals thrive here near the Kelp forests, such as sea lions, garibaldi, rockfish, gobies, spiny lobsters, Giant Sea Bass, Bat Rays etc. The Islands are also one of the Top Whale watching destinations in the world, and divers frequently spot blue whales while traveling to dive sites. Pods of Dolphins are a common sight and accompany most boats traveling along these waters.

The Marine Sanctuary offers an unparalleled Scuba diving experience, with the northern Islands offering colorful rocky reefs hosting an unbelievable amount of marine life drawn to its nutrient rich waters. Frequent sightings of Giant Sea Stars that hoover up the sea bed, have been reported by divers in these waters. The Northern islands also offer cave diving sites which teem with spiny lobsters, and the chance to dive in California’s famous giant kelp forests. Visibility in the area ranges from 30 feet to more than 100 feet and the waters range on the colder side from 55 degrees in the winter to 70 in the summer so a wetsuit or drysuit in winters is highly recommended.

The southern islands have warmer waters, and are teeming with sea lions, and are a unique opportunity for divers to swim with them and observe the playful sea lions up close. Garibaldi in their bright colors contrasting against the kelp and Giant curious Sea Bass are common to these waters offering scuba divers a spectacular sight. Underwater photographers will have no dearth of subjects to snap away at in these waters.

The admission to the Marine Sanctuary is free, and the islands are accessible via dive charters which are available from Santa Barbara, Ventura and other mainland towns.  In order to best experience the channels diving, we recommend availing of a locally operated live-aboard that will allow divers to experience the best dive site these islands have to offer.

For non-divers too, there is plenty to do and see at each island of the national park. Hiking trails, snorkeling, and spotting  some of the islands unique flora and fauna such as the Island Fox, Channel Islands Spotted Skunk, Island Scrub Jay, Ashy Storm-petrel, Island fence lizard, Island Night Lizard, Channel Island Slender Salamander, etc.  Camping is allowed at the national parks for an additional fee of $10.

Overall the Channels islands of California offer the ideal diving getaway with diverse marine life and dive sites underwater, and tons of activities and things to see above water while waiting for your next dive.

Photos : usoceangov, Ed Bierman, star5112

Located 20 miles South of San Diego from Mission Bay, in Mexican waters lie the remote group of 4 islands known as Los Coronados. These islands are one of the most popular dive locations on the west coast as it offers the closest conditions to what Caribbean diving is like. Situated 6 miles off the Mexican coast these islands are right on the edge of the continental shelf and are in very close proximity to deep, productive oceanic currents. The currents routinely wash the islands with clean blue water with visibility often exceeding 80 ft making it a dream to dive.

The islands also called the ‘Nods’ are home to large sea lion and harbor seal colonies. They are quite used to divers so you can expect to be diving with them on your dives here. Most of the diving at the Nods is done on the lee side of the islands so the water is protected from the oncoming swells. Depths range from 20 to 120 ft, perfect for all levels of divers.

(*image source:www.nofibs.com)

The North Island just known as that has the most dramatic diving of the 3 Los Coronados Islands. With great visibility there, the sites feature steep drop offs and large boulders with plenty of pelagic sea life. Popular dive sites near the north island include ‘The Keyhole’, ‘Seal Cove’, ‘Moonlight Cove’ and ‘Lobster Shack’. Scuba Diving the Keyhole though is subject to the conditions prevalent at the time as there can be strong currents and some days the wind and waves crashing through the ‘keyhole’ make it un-diveable. This island however is where you are most likely to encounter the ever playful and curious Californian sea lion. So, between the breathtaking natural beauty of these islands topside and the gorgeous underwater fields of purple hydrocoral and the marine life on offer, these sites are well worth fighting the strong open ocean currents for a viewing.

Moving south towards the other two islands named ‘Oscar rock’ and the ‘Genoa’, they too offer numerous dive sites. Some of the dive sites here feature fallen boulders that have formed small caver like structures and over the years accumulated and grown beautiful sea fans encrusted with oysters. they also have a wreck dive site of a 90’s motor yacht which is showing signs of new life with an influx of giant black sea bass making it their favorite haunt.

Further south is the largest island or the ‘South Island’ . It is shallower than the North Island and is popular for it’s rocky reefs and marine life are drawn to it as its sandy surrounding makes it for little an oasis for the fish. You can spot different types of sea bass, very large schools of barracuda as well as the rare trigger fish that are unusual in these parts. What’s more is that this island is home to the Northern Elephant Seals. Just South of the island is an all year round kelp bed called ‘South Kelp Ridge’. With stunning visibility, it makes for a very interesting dive site to experience. It has a rocky bottom and a kelp garden so as to speak, the perfect habitat of numerous species of rockfish and other marine life.

With the numerous and varied dive sites and the exceptional visibility not found else where along this coastal line, Los Coronados is a great dive destination and is experienced on overnight live-aboard trips out of San Diego.

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