A dive guide is an experienced diver who accompanies you in the water to help you get the most out of your dive. Our dive guides through Dive Guides of the Channel Islands (DGCI) are seasoned instructors who know the Channel Islands dive sites inside and out. They'll tailor the dive to your comfort level, point out marine life, help with navigation, and provide an extra layer of confidence underwater. Think of it as a personalized dive experience—without the structure of a class.

A private guide dives exclusively with you (or your group) and tailors the entire dive to your pace, interests, and comfort level. A public guide leads a small group of divers together, which is a great option if you're looking for guided support at a lower cost. Both options are available through Dive Guides of the Channel Islands.

Dive guides are optional, not required. Every trip on Spectre includes a captain and crew to get you safely to the dive sites. However, if you'd like in-water support, site knowledge, or just someone to dive alongside, booking a guide through DGCI is a great way to enhance your experience. Both private and public guide options are available on every trip starting May 1st.

Dive guide pricing covers all three dives for the day—there's no single-dive option or reduced rate. Whether you dive once or all three times, the price is the same. That said, your guide is there for you the entire trip, so we encourage you to take advantage of all three dives and get the most out of your experience!

Even if you didn't book a guide in advance, you can add a guide anytime throughout the day by speaking with any of the on-board guides. So if you change your mind after that first dive, just ask!

Yes. Dive guide services through DGCI are available only to certified divers. Guides are there to enhance your dive—not to teach or certify. If you're not certified, snorkeling is always welcome on our trips and is an amazing way to enjoy the Channel Islands.

You can book a dive guide directly through Dive Guides of the Channel Islands. Visit our Guides page and click Book Now to see available options for your trip date. We recommend booking in advance, as guides can fill up—especially on weekends and holidays.

Tips are not included in the cost of your dive guide service. If your guide made your dive more enjoyable, a tip is always appreciated and goes directly to your guide. This is separate from any tip you leave for the Spectre crew—dive guides are independent of the boat's crew and are not included in the crew tip pool.

No. Dive guides are provided by Dive Guides of the Channel Islands (DGCI), a separate service provider that operates independently from Spectre Dive Boat. While DGCI guides are on board and work alongside our crew, they are not Spectre employees. Guide bookings, pricing, and payments are handled directly through DGCI—separate from your boat trip fare. Guides wear clearly labeled DGCI shirts on board, so they're easy to spot if you have questions or want to add a guide during the trip.