California·United States
Photo: Claire Fackler, CINMS, NOAA · Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Off the coast of Santa Barbara, the Channel Islands sit where cold and warm currents meet, feeding towering forests of giant kelp full of fish, lobster and playful sea lions. The protected waters around the national park islands hold some of the richest temperate diving in the world.
In season: Sep–Nov · Peak: Oct
Cool water of around 14 to 18 degrees, surge and variable visibility, with the clearest conditions in autumn. Most diving is from day or liveaboard boats out of Ventura and Santa Barbara, and the outer islands are exposed.
Giant kelp cathedrals and sea lions an hour from the mainland
Sea caves and lobster on the largest island
Cold, exposed and the richest marine life in the chain
Book a day or multi-day dive boat from Ventura or Santa Barbara, and bring a 7 mm wetsuit or drysuit. Start at Anacapa, the closest island, and save the exposed outer islands such as San Miguel for when you are comfortable in surge.
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