I headed down to Ventura last weekend to join a couple of other So Cal friends for some single tank fun (warmer water) diving off Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands. At the last minute a fourth joined our group so we split into two teams of two and stuck together.
6 hours down to Ventura Harbor isn’t that bad a drive. $120 covers a bunk for the night, breakfast, lunch and 4 recreational dives on the Spectre. The boat only pumps air, so boat wasn’t full so just brought some extra tanks of 32% on board with no problem ;-).
The water was glassy calm on the trip over. The sun was shining and the sky was painted a brilliant blue. A huge pod of dolphin joyfully splashed off the bow. Birds (maybe pelicans?)flew in a mesmerizing formation. It was the perfect boat ride!
We did a couple of dives at Santa Cruz Island (Cavern Point & Fence Line) enjoying the 40-50 ft vis and 57F water, vibrant orange Garibaldi, huge Sheepsheads, brilliant Spanish Shawls, loads of purple urchins, and the sun rays penetrating into the outstanding kelp forests.
Then, we headed over to Anacapa to Underwater Arch, where young sea lions seemed to enjoy our mid water hover so much, they spent almost half the dive playing with us. They kept swooping down in huge loops and stopping eye to eye just inches from my face as if to say hi ;-).
On the fourth dive, Underwater Island, we followed the anchor line through 20ft vis for a nice kick with a bit of current around a pinnacle where we spotted and several very beautiful reddish brown Two Spot Octopi tucked back in cracks along a rocky wall.
Diving on the Channel Islands was a fun change of pace from our local diving.
All of these dives maxed out at 60ft or less.
Photos courtesy of my generous partners: Rick, Phil and Heather
6 hours down to Ventura Harbor isn’t that bad a drive. $120 covers a bunk for the night, breakfast, lunch and 4 recreational dives on the Spectre. The boat only pumps air, so boat wasn’t full so just brought some extra tanks of 32% on board with no problem ;-).
The water was glassy calm on the trip over. The sun was shining and the sky was painted a brilliant blue. A huge pod of dolphin joyfully splashed off the bow. Birds (maybe pelicans?)flew in a mesmerizing formation. It was the perfect boat ride!
We did a couple of dives at Santa Cruz Island (Cavern Point & Fence Line) enjoying the 40-50 ft vis and 57F water, vibrant orange Garibaldi, huge Sheepsheads, brilliant Spanish Shawls, loads of purple urchins, and the sun rays penetrating into the outstanding kelp forests.
Then, we headed over to Anacapa to Underwater Arch, where young sea lions seemed to enjoy our mid water hover so much, they spent almost half the dive playing with us. They kept swooping down in huge loops and stopping eye to eye just inches from my face as if to say hi ;-).
On the fourth dive, Underwater Island, we followed the anchor line through 20ft vis for a nice kick with a bit of current around a pinnacle where we spotted and several very beautiful reddish brown Two Spot Octopi tucked back in cracks along a rocky wall.
Diving on the Channel Islands was a fun change of pace from our local diving.
All of these dives maxed out at 60ft or less.
Photos courtesy of my generous partners: Rick, Phil and Heather
