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June 17th - 20th
CHANNEL ISLANDS
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Diving
in the Kelp Forests of the Channel Islands
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 Diving
in the kelp forests around the Channel Islands is a unique
experience for divers more accustomed to tropical waters.
Similar to tropical waters, the waters are clear with lavish
flora and fauna representing every hue imaginable, but unlike
tropical diving giant kelp offers another dimension to your
dive. Diving in kelp is similar to a walk in a lush forest of
trees with these plants growing to heights of more than 120
feet. Giant kelp helps support an aquatic ecosystem that
provides domicile for over more than 800 species of marine
life.
A
Channel Islands trip offers you the opportunity to discover a
variety of underwater landscapes. Water visibility in these
waters can range from 40 to 100 feet and on rare occasions
sometimes even up to 150 feet. There are untold opportunities
for viewing and photographing a panorama of underwater vistas.
Unlike the coral reefs of tropical
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waters,
the reefs in the Channel Islands are comprised of varied types
of rock structures. Like coral reefs, the cracks and crevices
provide ideal living quarters for many species. The rocks are
overlaid with brightly colored bouquets of anemones, starfish,
and garlands of hydrocoral, sponges, and sea fans. Moray eels,
octopus, abalone, rock scallops, California spiny lobsters,
and a host of others inhabit rock fissures and crevices.
Divers may chance upon giant black sea bass weighing in at 500
pounds, or a halibut, lingcod, vermilion rockfish, calico bass
and more. Migrating gray whales, blue whales, hump back
whales, schools of dolphins, seals and sea lions are familiar
sightings in the Channel Islands during cross |
California's
Channel Islands are one of the last untouched,
undeveloped areas of the world. The Islands
are comprised of eight islands off the coast
of Southern California, extending for about
160 miles from Point Conception to San Diego,
the most famous and well-populated island
being Santa Catalina Island.
Located approximately 25 miles south of
Santa Catalina, San Clemente Island is known
for it's great variety. The
"lee" of Clemente is home to
consistently good water clarity. Typical
visibility is 60' - 80'+. Northwest
Harbor is home of the shipwreck USS Butler, a
naval destroyer sitting on a 80' sandy bottom
that we sometimes dive. The
"backside" of San Clemente is known
for abundant lobsters,
pink and green abalone,
and good spear fishing. Here there are
many isolated deep water reef systems and
pinnacles such as "9-fathoms" which
offers clear water, rock scallops, purple
coral colonies, plus big fish. San
Clemente is one of our favorite destinations.
The "backside" of Catalina, the
weather exposed side, also offers some great
dive opportunities. 
Here we like to visit Farnsworth Banks
an pinnacle system which averages about 100'
deep. Often the visibility here will
allow the dive to see the boat all the way
from the bottom! Many agree that this is
one of the best dives in So Cal. Farnsworth
is home to the rare Allopora California or
Purple Hydrocoral..
Hard corals are rare in cold water and
this is one of the few species that exists in
our waters. The pinnacle is covered with
the coral and makes great picture
opportunities. Some experts have
suggested that the coral variety found at
Farnsworth Bank is a distinct species that is
unique to this site. Look but don't
touch as the coral is protected. There
are ample picture opportunities and Farnsworth
Bank is also a great place for deep diver
training.
When cruising the waters around the Channel
Islands, you'll behold the natural beauty of
rugged peaks and precipitous cliffs, sea water
spraying to the heavens from naturally formed
island blowholes and see island shores teeming
with breeding colonies of sea birds, seals and
sea lions. 
Don't be left behind. Sign up
early space is always limited on a live-a
board.
Cash price $599.00 for dormatory,
$650.00 for cabin.
E-mail for details at mail@scubautah.com
Or call 888.87scuba (888-877-2822) or 801.942.2100
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