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Below is the active list of scheduled boat dive trips. Be sure to contact the charter directly for confirmation, rates, booking and other info.
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Author |
: Mike Bartick |
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Location |
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Anacapa
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Date |
: November 14, 2008 |
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California holds many jewels in her treasure chest and the Channel Islands are amongst the best of them. There are eight total islands, four of which are considered northern. They are San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz and Anacapa Islands. Another four are considered southern: Santa Catalina, Santa Barbara, San Nicolas and San Clemente Islands. The Northern Channel Island of Anacapa will be my primary focus here. Anacapa is actually a series of three smaller islets. There are East Anacapa Island, Middle Anacapa Island and West Anacapa Island, all of which are connected by shallow sandbars and rocky reefs.
In the early 1970s the diminishing numbers of brown pelicans alarmed biologists enough to declare the northeast side of West Anacapa Island, a large brown pelican nesting area, a protected preserve. No one, except for official personal, can enter this area during 10 months of the year. In fact much of the entire island is one kind of game reserve or another. Because of that, diving Anacapa Island is much like it was diving there 30 years ago, or so I’m told.
But beginning November first and running through the end of December this section is open to divers. The best diving conditions are usually best at the beginning of November. I begin looking forward to diving here in September, knowing that some of the nicest diving conditions that grace California’s waters are right around the corner.
The Pelican Preserve above is sheer cliff and rock, dropping dramatically into the Pacific. Classic California terrain of volcanic rock and scrub meets the cobalt pacific blue. Many pelicans fly formations and glide with ease through the air currents.
The site below is rugged as well. There is a rocky substrate with plant and algae growth, gorgonian sea fans and macrocystis giant kelp forests making up much of this area. The site is accessible only by boat and is an easy and relaxing dive most of the time. The reserve is a rather large area that sits just west of French’s cove and east of Goldfish Bowl.
Remember, it’s always important to get your bearing before starting out. Much of the substrate looks very similar here, and there is often no shoreline to guide you. Water conditions here vary year-to-year depending on the rain, wind and current but most of the time the visibility is excellent. Fifty feet of visibility is not uncommon and because of the shallow profile the water temperature remains temperate. Currents are often present and sometimes strong.
The unique marine critters dwelling here make it even more special for me. Among them are the orange-throated pike blennies, the oddball nudibranchs and sarcastic fringeheads, while the abundance of congregating fish can make any photographer feel hard pressed to decide on shooting wide-angle or macro. The pike blennies are a curious creature that make their home in the empty tube worm casings and are usually docile and unafraid of divers. They can be found coming out to forage or to defend their territory. When spooked they will dive into their wormhole homes, tail first! They have elongated bodies and the males will often square off in open-mouthed face-to-face confrontations.
Out on the open sand flats I have found aggressive sarcastic fringeheads making their home in empty Kellets whelk shells, prancing juvenile octopi, and very large octopi as well. This area is also loaded with California bat rays. There are many colors of gorgonians but the red gorgonians host the prized brightly colored simnia snails. These are excellent macro-photo material. The simnia snails are part of the mollusk family with a large ornate foot attached to an elongated and narrow shell and often covered by its decorative red membrane. The simnia are rare and tiny and maybe 1 in 50 gorgonians will actually bare the prize. Here they seem to be a bit more abundant.
It is possible to get a little deeper here too but the descent is gradual. The outward sloping grade begins at about the 70-foot mark and continues down with many beautiful purple gorgonians, but most of the best diving here is done above the 60-foot mark. I have also found some rare nudibranchs in the same area; the Babakina festiva is one of them.
Because this is a preserve underwater seafood hunting is restricted. No rock scallops may be taken and only pelagic finfish may be speared. Lobster may be taken and because the season coincides with the open season, you can plan a lobster-hunting trip here if desired.
Remember, you can dive here only November and December so now is the time to go.
Dive Spot At a Glance
Location: The northeast side of West Anacapa Island.
Access: Boat Only. November and December ONLY.
Skill Level: All
Depths: 15 -70 feet.
Visibility: Fair to good.
Hunting: Restricted to lobster only and spearfishing for pelagic finfish only.
Photography: Very good macro and fair wide angle.
Hazards: Occasional strong currents. Open to northwest weather.
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