 A Beach Boys song made Santa Catalina Island famous, but did you know it's
just one of eight islands off the California coast? Five of them (Anacapa, Santa
Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel and Santa Barbara) comprise the Channel Islands
National Park and Marine Sanctuary. Two of the other three (San Nicolas and San
Clemente) are owned by the U.S. government and under the jurisdiction of the
Navy.
The best part about the Channel Islands, in my opinion, is their diving.
Although lush kelp forests are common to all eight, each has its own special
attractions.
Of the four Northern Channel Islands, Anacapa is the closest to shore, only 11
miles (18 km) from the mainland. The second smallest of the eight islands, it is
really three islands-East, Middle and West Anacapa. It has become known for its
clear water, generally easy diving conditions and up-close encounters with
harbor seals. In recent years, giant sea bass encounters have become almost
common.
About two-thirds of Santa Cruz Island belongs to
The Nature Conservancy, and the
rest is part of the National Park. Santa Cruz is the largest of the Channel
Islands and contains the highest peak. This island is honeycombed with caverns
and caves. Underwater, these should only be entered by those with cave and
cavern certification, as they can be treacherous. Santa Cruz is only a two hour
boat ride from the mainland and is known for its invertebrates and good game
hunting.
Santa Rosa, the second largest of the eight islands, was privately owned until a
few years ago; now all of it is part of the Channel Islands National Park. Santa
Rosa is about a two-and-a-half to three hour boat ride from the City of Santa
Barbara. Less visited than Santa Cruz or Anacapa, it is known for its abundance
of macro subjects. Bechers Bay and Johnsons Landing are popular night anchorages
for multi-day dive trips.
San Miguel is the westwardmost of the islands and the third smallest, larger
only than Anacapa and Santa Barbara. It is a four to five hour boat ride from
the City of Santa Barbara. San Miguel is the least visited of the four Northern
Channel Islands because it is the most exposed to the weather and subject to
currents that bring in cold water. Because of that it not only is better for
game hunting but macro photography, too. Crabs, nudibranchs and blennies thrive
here. Point Bennett hosts a huge pinniped rookery.
Eighty-six percent of Santa
Catalina, the third largest island, belongs to the
Santa Catalina Island Conservancy. About two hours by dive boat from San Pedro,
Catalina has a hyperbaric chamber; a small town (Avalon) with a museum, hotels,
restaurants, shops and a golf course; and several coves with rental boat
moorings. Underwater, moray eels are especially abundant and the marine park off
the Casino offers good visibility, pretty kelp forests and plenty of fish. Not
far from the park is the wreck of Valiant. Catalina can be accessed by ferries
from San Pedro, Long Beach and Dana Point.
Santa Barbara, a four hour boat ride from San Pedro, is the smallest of the
eight Channel Islands, just one square mile in area. It has become known for its
friendly California sea lions. These pinnipeds haul out on the island year-round
and are usually eager to play with divers. The Arch, an underwater formation, is
prized for its invertebrate life, especially purple hydrocoral.
San Clemente, the fourth largest island, is a five to six hour ride from San
Pedro. It has become known as the lobster nursery; I have seen more lobster here
than at all of the other islands combined. Clemente also has walls, black sea
bass are commonly seen at certain sites here, and moray eels are especially
abundant. The visibility is usually excellent.
San Nicolas, the fifth largest island, is the farthest offshore. Getting here
from San Pedro is a seven to eight hour boat ride. Nik is visited mostly during
lobster season and its big bugs are legendary. The dive sites here are generally
in 60 feet (18 meters) of water or less and swells often limit visibility.
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