The Channel Islands consist of eight islands separated into the Northern group; which are Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel; and the southern group which are Santa Barbara, San Nicolas, San Clemente and Catalina.  Even though these islands lie close together; geographically, they are very different from each other.  The Northern group is actually an extension of the Santa Monica mountain range; whereas, the Southern group are ridges coming up from the bottom of the ocean.

During the 18th and 19th centuries; American, British, and Russian hunters brought the sea otters, seals and sea lions to near extinction.  The near complete destruction of the islands and their sea life was stopped in the 1930’s at the hands of the U.S. Navy which took control of San Miguel, San Clemente, and San Nicolas.  Anacapa and Santa Barbara were declared part of the Channel Islands National Monument in 1938 by President Roosevelt.  By 1978, the Channel Islands National Monument also included Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa and San Miguel.  Santa Catalina and Santa Cruz are privately owned islands and have been turned over to a Nature Conservancy group to assure their conservation for future generations to enjoy to their fullest.

The Channel Islands 3-day live-aboard boats enter the diver into the world of a unique diving experience.  This diving is considerably different from Fort Bragg or Monterey.  There is sea life that abounds around the islands that you will not see close in along the California coast line.

Visibility is generally 30-60 feet due to the steady ocean currents.  The water temperatures average from 60-70 degrees in the summer and 50-60 degrees in the winter.

If you are interested in spear fishing, the Channel Islands offers the best underwater hunting grounds in the world.  There is such game as Lobster, Scallops, Crabs, Ling Cod, Sheepshead, White Sea Bass, California Halibut, Pacific Halibut, Yellow Tail, Cabezone, Kelp Bass, and Ocean Whitefish.  You must have an ocean fishing license and an ocean enhancement stamp to fish in the Channel Islands.

If you are an avid or an amateur photographer; the underwater sea life can be quite astonishing.  The kelp beds flow with the current and among them the aquatic life is prolific.  You might even get a chance to snap a photo shot at a seal or two when they stop by to inquire what you are doing in their world, or just enjoy their antics and playfulness with you.

The boat captain chooses the dive sites to accommodate all types of diving so that everyone can enjoy his or her choice of dive sites.  Before every dive, the captain explains what you can find below the boat and to all sides of it.  He will also tell you how deep it is around and below the boat, so you can judge your own diving capabilities.  The first dive of the day will be the deepest and will continue throughout the day with shallow dives.

You must bring all of your own diving equipment and one tank.  The boat does not carry any spare gear or parts so you must come prepared for anything happening to your gear or if you lose something during the trip.  We will have a party get together before we leave and go over the fine points of the boat, rules and regulations.  At that time you will get to know the others that will be coming along on the boat.
  
The cook prepares three meals a day for your eating pleasure.  There is always fruit, candy, and non-alcoholic beverages in abundance 24 hours a day.  Some of the meals prepared are your breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, cold cereal, cooked cereal, rolls, bagels, scrambled eggs, etc.  A well prepared lunch menu might consist of enchiladas, hamburgers with all the fixins, burritos. Lasagne, soups, salads and fruits. Some of the dinner selections can be stuffed chicken breasts, ham steaks, barbecues tri-tips, Cornish game hens and finished off with a dessert later in the evening of pie, cake, and or ice cream for just a few examples.