Channel Islands... new diver :)

[NorCalDM]

If you are doing a two day trip on the Truth Aquatics boats more than likely you will end up at Santa Cruz and maybe a stop at Anacapa. The dive sites at Santa Cruz well many of them will be up against the island and you will be on two anchors so the boat won’t swing and navigating is pretty easy, down the anchor line one dive to the right and one to the left then move the boat. They don’t supply guides only a safety diver on deck so is the shop you are going with suppling the guide or are you paying for a private DM? Listen to the breifings they will tell you what you need to know about getting in/out, safety procedures etc. They will throw a current line if there is current just watch were it goes and start your dive into it and then use it to get you back to the boat you don’t want to pull yourself up that line. Also have fun Truth Aquatics does a great job.

 

[drbill]

A new diver should probably skip farnsworth don’t you think?

Without question. It is an advanced dive that even some experienced divers have had trouble with.

We've had some strong currents right in the Casino Point dive park on the leeward coast of the island including this current weekend.

 

[Kathleen Sea Hare]

I really loved diving off those Truth Aquatics boats in the Channel Islands, the reefs are beautiful, but you need to be prepared because it’s more like boat camping than a luxury cruise. You will be sleeping in a slot, a curtained bunk, not a fancy cabin. I found it really helped to bring an old fashioned thick flannel lined padded sleeping bag to lay on top their thin pad, and a fleece blanket to put over me. And a pillow. Make a nice nest!

Get a dry bag to put in your dive bag so when you take off your clothes you can stuff them in there and they stay dry because everything along the gunnels of the boat under the benches where you must put your dive bag may get wet. Boat etiquette is you get the space under your tanks for a dive bag, that’s it, things are tight, don’t leave anything in the walkway. A dry bag is good for towels too, and of course protect your electronics with pelican boxes or cases. Boats are sometimes cold even in summer so bring a fleece and a wind proof shell and warm ski hat and a sun hat.

Soft ear plugs are nice at night because the boat fan is noisy below decks. If you need seasickness meds start them ahead of time. Get there early if you want to have your choice of spots above and below decks—it’s kind of like a rummage sale everyone hurrys aboard to claim space. Examples of a good spot on deck for your tanks & BC are either near an exit gate or under some shade. Below decks sleep away from noises or smells, maybe a lower bunk if you don’t like to climb up.
There is a lot of comraderie on the boat, you will have fun and lots to eat, but if you are vegetarian let them know ahead of time.
Don’t forget to tip the crew with cash at the end, ask what is customary. They earn it!!!

Hey Eric!
I really appreciate these tips; really helpful for a newbie like me! I would have had no idea to bring warm weather camp gear, the dry bags, getting there early to snag the best spot so just a treasure trove of gold you gave me; like I'm diving for treasure for sure! ....and so this kind of works out because I was actually debating to camp out one night on one of the Islands...so in essence bring camping gear just to experience it... then stay in a comfy hotel in Santa Barbara, THEN go on the live aboard for the next 2 nights! Cheers! Thanks for these suggestions!!

 

[Kathleen Sea Hare]

If you were certified in Monterey, the Channel Islands will likely not be any more challenging. IMHO boat dives are much easier than shore dives with respect to entry and exit. Conditions in the northern Channel Islands (Anacapa to San Miguel) vary quite a bit along the east-to-west transect. Anacapa can be reasonably warm and San Miguel quite chilly with corresponding changes in the marine life. Vis can vary as well. There are pretty protected dive sites as well as some exposed ones (especially on the outer islands).

Got it. Appreciate these tips on the specific Islands. Which reminds me, I should ask the dive shop about that; which Island we're going to but maybe it depends on that day.

 

[Kathleen Sea Hare]

Find out what Island they plan to go to. If it’s Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, they will probably take a pulse of the skill level of the bulk of their passengers and figure on an average. There will be some deepish sites, probably nothing over 60’, and more in the 40’ range. They might even take you into an MPA and you’ll be amazed at the quantity and size of the fish and lobsters!
If the boat is dominated by hunters then they probably will not go to too many (or any) MPA’s, but I’d bet money it won’t be one of those.
I doubt they will take you out to San Miguel, that’s a small island and very advanced diving.
They may also drop down to Catalina. It’s nice, fairly benign around the island but nice sea fans and a lot of garibaldis.
If you get real lucky they may take you to a sea lion rookery and you’ll get to play with the sea puppies! A treat that you’ll never forget!
I doubt they will put you into any notoriously currenty areas or potato patches as they are known.
Most of you dive spots will be on the lee side of the islands which is pretty flat and lake like. I don’t know how the kelp will be. Hopefully it’s healthy with nice thick forests. I have been truelly awestruck at times looking up at the beauty of some of those giant kelp groves.
San Carlos beach where you did your OW was probably rougher than 80% of where they will take you.

Socal dive boats are SO MUCH FUN! Great value, great food, great people, great diving. I’m way overdue myself.
It’s where us Norcalers go for a quick cheap tropical dive trip. Way better than Hawaii IMO.

I was told that if I get a fishing license the month we are going is lobster season and we can try to catch, but it's strange because I read that lobster season starts in October? I do hope we go on the area you say is lake and flat like, because one of the dive masters I was emailing said it's relatively shallow where they take us. Need to ask them specifically which Island so I can ask ppl here more about the currents. Like the 1st time I felt the surge of waves in Monterey was a bit taking use to, but after I got the feel for it .. felt pretty comfortable! But yeah, it's new to me so the more research I do with you all here, the better! Makes me know what to expect which everyone's different perspectives! Appreciate your tips, thanks much!

 

[Kathleen Sea Hare]

As for the diving September is a great time of year there. Water tends to be clearer and you may have warm Indian summer weather. There may be current on some sites and none on others.
If you can, after you get your new wetsuit do some pool dives at your shop to get your weight and buoyancy dialed in. Then add 5 lbs more for salt water. Make sure your BC pockets or BC/weight belt can accommodate all that weight and your trim is good. If possible rent steel tanks and you will be able to drop 5 lbs.

Going with a dive master is great but if they have three people be on the lookout for an experienced buddy... it is easier to keep track of just one other person, especially if the is lower viz. Bring a bright dive light along and if you loose your buddy make circles with it as you rotate around and they may see the light. Agree ahead of time on buddy separation procedure, usually search for one minute then surface. Probable you will be diving in a kelpy cove, so at the end of the dive surface, take a compass bearing on the boat, then descend several feet and swim back under the kelp. The kelp forest is amazing... I miss it! You are lucky to dive there!

Wouldn't have known about the steel tanks, and dive buddy tips too. I don't have a dive buddy I am going with but the shop that is organizing this dive (with a chartered boat, not sure which one but I'll ask now) is pearing a dive master with a max of 2 other ppl. So guess you're right, I'll eventually be diving with a person I have no idea who they are or experience and will have to be okay that I'm a newbie! :-/

 

[Kathleen Sea Hare]

Everything that @aquacat8 wrote. She's right on the money. The Channel Islands have some great diving, and it's not particularly hard diving, either.

Regarding your specific question about currents, I've never experienced strong currents at the Channel Islands. If there is a current running, the boat usually moors out of it, in a relatively sheltered location. That being said, there is sometimes a mild current; if so, you'll need to follow a few basic guidelines.

Basic Tip #1: Wear gloves. As you already know, California water is coolish, so thermal protection is a plus. Even more importantly, you're going to be holding onto well-worn synthetic ropes, so you need to protect your skin.

Basic Tip #2: Grab onto the anchor line. Hold onto it/let it slide through your hand as you descend and ascend. Doing so will (a) keep you together with your leader/buddies, and (b) ensure that you don't go floating off during your safety stop.

Basic Tip #3: Use float lines to drag yourself on the surface. Once you giant-stride into the water, use the bow-to-stern rope and drag yourself forward to the anchor line. Once you surface, float to the stern, grab the "granny line" trailing off it, and wait your turn to get aboard. You'll expend less energy and save your breathing gas.

A bigger issue is surge. You might find yourself being pushed back and forth by the wave action. Don't fight it. Just (literally) go with the flow. As long as you're not next to a reef, it's all good. You can actually swim through the kelp forests very easily, as the stalks are swaying back and forth.

Thinking of kelp, here are two tips:

• Eliminate all the danglies from your gear. They're kelp-magnets.
• Kelp is extremely strong lengthwise, but it's weak crosswise. In the unlikely case that you get seriously tangled, bend the stalk and it'll snap.

Have a good time!

....awesome! Like the kelp tips!

 

[Kathleen Sea Hare]

Without question. It is an advanced dive that even some experienced divers have had trouble with.

We've had some strong currents right in the Casino Point dive park on the leeward coast of the island including this current weekend.

Will make sure that we don't dive there, and definitely tell them I'm not experienced for it! Great thanks for this info

 

[Kathleen Sea Hare]

Everything that @aquacat8 wrote. She's right on the money. The Channel Islands have some great diving, and it's not particularly hard diving, either.

Regarding your specific question about currents, I've never experienced strong currents at the Channel Islands. If there is a current running, the boat usually moors out of it, in a relatively sheltered location. That being said, there is sometimes a mild current; if so, you'll need to follow a few basic guidelines.

Basic Tip #1: Wear gloves. As you already know, California water is coolish, so thermal protection is a plus. Even more importantly, you're going to be holding onto well-worn synthetic ropes, so you need to protect your skin.

Basic Tip #2: Grab onto the anchor line. Hold onto it/let it slide through your hand as you descend and ascend. Doing so will (a) keep you together with your leader/buddies, and (b) ensure that you don't go floating off during your safety stop.

Basic Tip #3: Use float lines to drag yourself on the surface. Once you giant-stride into the water, use the bow-to-stern rope and drag yourself forward to the anchor line. Once you surface, float to the stern, grab the "granny line" trailing off it, and wait your turn to get aboard. You'll expend less energy and save your breathing gas.

A bigger issue is surge. You might find yourself being pushed back and forth by the wave action. Don't fight it. Just (literally) go with the flow. As long as you're not next to a reef, it's all good. You can actually swim through the kelp forests very easily, as the stalks are swaying back and forth.

Thinking of kelp, here are two tips:

• Eliminate all the danglies from your gear. They're kelp-magnets.
• Kelp is extremely strong lengthwise, but it's weak crosswise. In the unlikely case that you get seriously tangled, bend the stalk and it'll snap.

Have a good time!

These are great tips on entry & re-entry! Very helpful and so appreciate

 

[Kevrumbo]

Know how to deploy a spool tethered SMB from depth in case you lose direction back to the anchorline and boat. Inform the boat crew beforehand that you will launch the SMB at your safety stop depth if you are lost or have no idea where the location of the Liveaboard is anchored, so that the crew can track your location. Depending on the divesite, currents and the distance away from the Liveaboard that your SMB is sighted, the crew may launch a skiff or RIB to orbit in your vicinity and provide assistance & pick-up as you surface. . .