Freediving & Spearfishing.
Two long dives, around two hours at each spot, with a BBQ lunch in between. Freedivers of every level are welcome, from newer divers to seasoned spearos. Freediving only, no scuba onboard.
Reserve your spot.
Pick a date and your trip type. Hunt days and photo days are listed separately on the calendar. Booking confirms instantly.
A Full day on the water.
The Spectre runs freediving trips into Channel Islands National Park out of Ventura Harbor. Every trip is labeled. Hunt days go after the day's target in open zones. Kelp days are camera-only photo runs, often inside Marine Protected Areas where no take is allowed. Hunters and photographers are welcome either day. The boat runs the labeled plan. You dive, warm up, eat, dive again.
BBQ lunch is served between sessions. Tri tip, chicken or veggie burger. Back at the harbor around four, weather depending.
This trip is for you if:
Two kinds of trips, both freediving only, both welcome to hunters and shooters. The boat runs the labeled plan.
Go after the day's target
This trip is the right fit for you if:
- You spearfish and want the boat working open zones for the labeled species
- You freedive comfortably on a single breath
- You want a fish cleaning station and game tank onboard for your catch
Shoot the kelp forest
This trip is the right fit for you if:
- You shoot photo or video and want unhurried time in the kelp forest
- You would rather explore than hunt, camera-only and relaxed
- You are fine swimming inside Marine Protected Areas where no take is allowed
Dive Adventures
Three dives at snorkel-friendly sites. Certified divers, snorkelers and ride-alongs all welcome.
Limited Load Adventures
Fewer divers, more room. Purpose-driven scuba days for experienced divers.
Snorkel Adventures
A summer trip built for snorkelers, families and first-timers in the kelp.
One of California's largest dive boats.
Room to rig your gear, warm up between sessions and settle in for the ride home. Everything you need for a full day in the water.
Experienced crew
A seasoned deck crew and in-water safety all day. We brief the plan before every session and keep eyes on every diver in the water.
Restrooms with hot showers
Two heads with two hot freshwater showers, plus a freshwater hot tub on deck to warm up between sessions.
Room to relax
Comfortable indoor seating, hot meals from the galley and Starlink Wi-Fi for the ride out and back.
Onboard game tank
A game tank for your catch and a cleaning station with a cutting board. Bring your own cooler, ice, bags and filet knife to take your catch home.
Lobster, yellowtail, white seabass and more.
The Channel Islands sit where the cold California current meets warmer water, which is why the marine life runs so thick.
- California lobsterBug season, roughly October into March
- YellowtailFast pelagic, best in the warmer months
- White seabassA prized target along the kelp edges
- Sheephead and calico bassReef and kelp structure, Channel Islands staples
- Kelp forestSome of California's densest stands
Hour by hour.
A full day on the water at your own pace. Timings shift with the destination and the plan, but a typical day runs like this.
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6:00 AMDock
Arrive at Ventura Harbor
Load your gear at your station and grab a hot breakfast sandwich, fruit or a pastry. Check-in opens 60 minutes before departure.
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7:00 AMCrossing
Cast off for the islands
About an hour and a half across the channel. Finish breakfast, explore the boat, and rig up on the ride out.
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9:00 AMSession 1
Anchor and jump in
The captain sets the anchor on the day's structure. Crew briefs the plan and you're in the water. Each session is about 2 hours.
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11:30 AMGalley
BBQ lunch onboard
Tri tip, chicken or veggie burger off the grill, served on deck while the boat moves to the second spot.
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12:30 PMSession 2
Back in the water
Second round, same easy pace. Dive more, warm up in the hot tub or reset on deck.
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2:30 PMCrossing
Cruise back to Ventura
Settle in for one of Spectre's famous brownie sundaes on the ride home.
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~4:00 PMDock
Back at the harbor
Tie up at Ventura. The crew helps you off-load gear. Weather depending.
Ventura Harbor Village, Dock D.
About an hour from LAX, 90 minutes from downtown LA, 30 minutes from Santa Barbara.
Departure
Whale Lot
Park in the lot marked “Whale.” Free for guests Monday through Thursday, $10 all day Friday through Sunday and holidays. Free parking along Spinnaker before the Whale lot.
How to show up.
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Rig the night before.Check your gun, fins and weights so load-in is quick.
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Arrive at 6:00 AMThe crew needs the hour to load the boat before we cast off around 7.
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Layer up for the rideIt gets breezy on the channel. A hoodie packs down small.
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Take a Dramamine the night beforeIf you tend to get seasick. The channel is calmest before noon.
- Hunting? Bring your license and catch gear.Hunting needs a California fishing license with ocean enhancement stamp. Lobster also needs a report card and gauge. Bring your own catch bags, cooler, ice and a filet knife. The boat has a game tank and cleaning station.
The islands are waiting.
Bring your rig. We've got the rest — gear, breakfast, BBQ, and brownie sundaes on the ride home.