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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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Santa Cruz
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Date |
: March 13, 2009 |
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I drove up to Ventura on an early December morning and hopped a ride out to Santa Cruz Island. Santa Cruz Island is the largest of all eight of the Channel Islands boasting some 96 square miles, hills as high as mountains and over 70 miles of rugged coastline.
Santa Cruz will usually yield some reliable dive spots even when the weather is rough.
The crossing was anything but smooth. The overnight report called for wind gusting up to 10 knots. Well, the wind was howling in the channel and the closer we got to “Cruz,” the more we realized that we were not going to dive the front side.
We headed around back towards Yellow Bank. The conditions were night and day compared to the frontside. As we rounded the backside of the island and we hit the wind shadow, the water went from stacked whitecaps to glass. Looking back, you could actually see the sheer, not uncommon for these parts but always something to marvel.
The kelp was thick, very thick. We headed towards The Towers dive site named for a Naval installation on the island and as we approached a Truth Aquatics boat came into view. So we decided to hit Drop-Off reef.
As we set anchor I could see the bottom clearly 40 feet below us. I couldn’t wait because visibility like this is what makes the Channel Islands such a treat. Gear ready, I dropped in and found out why the call it Drop-Off Reef. The rocky substrate “dropped off” dramatically, forming a step-down wall to the sand at 70 feet. I exhaled and away I went.
Cruising the sand heading away from the reef structure I spotted bat rays cruising, sheephead, blacksmith, sea lion's dive-bombing, and the giant sun stars that Santa Cruz Island is so well known for. The sun stars are a robust color combination of red, magenta and deep purple—very pretty.
The bottom is a relatively flat 70-foot sandy substrate with large rocky outcroppings, with long healthy Macrocystis stemming upwards towards the sunlight. Exploring the holdfasts is always interesting and it will usually reveal a hidden critter or two. But this time it revealed something I wasn’t expecting; wrapped around the bottom tucked under some kelp fronds was a large and very colorful horn shark. Horn sharks are named for the horn that protrudes from the front portion of the dorsal fin. This guy was very docile as are most that I have ever encountered and he allowed me to approach very close and snap a few photos.
Back towards the reef, in the distance a dark shadowy structure slowly began to take shape. The reef system is stunning with shelves running the entire length at different depths. The shelves are loaded with lobsters, invertebrates and a variety of different nudibranchs. On the wall wrapped into a red gorgonian I spot a large Catalinae triophae nudibranch. This portion of the reef seems to be littered with many of these large species. In addition, there are Mexichromis porterae’s, Cadlina limbaughorum and even some Cuthonas. Wow! This place rocks!
After surfacing I switched over to my wide-angle camera. The visibility is awesome and I want to get some kelp shots. I love to shoot kelp on sunny days, using my widest lens, capturing all I can. Today will allow me every opportunity to do so. With my wife Gina as my model we set out.
The conditions here are so good that the captain decides to do a second dive on Drop-Off Reef.
This time we head off in a different direction. The top portion of this area is scattered rocky outcroppings with kelp, gorgonians and clouds of blacksmith fish. Rockfish of many varieties like to hang out on rocks pretending that they are invisible.
Nothing quite compares to gliding through the kelp, sunrays beaming through the canopy with shafts of light. Kelpfish are another favorite fish for me to find and photograph. There are many varieties and they are usually very well camouflaged. Exceptions apply to every rule and a golden giant kelpfish catches my eye, nearly vertical next to the kelp. The colorations are very close to the Macrocystis stems and I easily lose him when he entwines himself amongst the kelp fronds.
Nearing the end of my dive I look up through the gin clear water and I see the clouds—wow!—this is unique indeed. I surface near the swim step with a kelp crab buddy resting just before me. I really didn’t want this dive to end but the weather is turning.
Santa Cruz Island has many really good dive spots on both the front side and the back — Potato Rock Pinnacles, Gull Island and many other great spots await. The upper Channel Islands can be reached for diving and kayaking through a variety of boats offering dive trips, day treks and natural history hikes. Santa Cruz Island supports and abundance of life both above and below the surface and should be enjoyed by all.
Dive Spot At A Glance
Location: Backside of Santa Cruz Island
Access: Boat only
Depths: Range from 35-75 but the prime diving is done between 40 and 75 feet
Visibility: Great except during the months of May and June
Photography: Macro is always reliable here with a large variety of nudibranchs. Wide-angle is also great.
Hunting: Lobster during the season and spearfishing
Hazards: Surge near the shoreline
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