THE EASY WAY TO DIVE THE ISLANDS.
Two dives off Anacapa or Santa Cruz with a relaxed 9 AM start, anchored right over the best sites. Tanks and weights included, with divers, snorkelers and ride along guests welcome aboard. Out of Ventura Harbor, back around four.
Reserve your spot.
Pick a date and book. Anacapa or Santa Cruz, two dives, tanks and weights included. Scuba, guided scuba, snorkel and ride along seats all book right here, and booking confirms instantly.
See full trip details →Anchored over the best sites.
California diving is different. You do not drift behind a dive master. We set bow and stern anchors and hold the boat right over the site in 25 to 50 feet of water. Swim the kelp forest at your own pace and explore what interests you. No long swims, no rush.
Two dives a day at Anacapa or Santa Cruz, with sites chosen that morning for the conditions. Tanks and weights are waiting at your station, a hot breakfast when you board, a BBQ lunch between dives and a brownie sundae in the hot tub on the ride home.
Dive with a guide.
Kelp forest diving is its own thing, and a pro guide is the easiest way to get more from the day. New to the islands, visiting from out of state, building confidence or chasing photos, a guide helps you navigate the site, find the marine life and dive comfortable.
Join a small group with a professional guide from Dive Guides Channel Islands who leads the site, points out marine life and shares local knowledge. Great for newer divers, visitors, photographers or anyone wanting extra confidence in the water. Two guided dives, up to six divers.
Reserve with a guideThis trip is for you if:
One boat, two dives and a relaxed pace. Built for certified divers, with freedivers, snorkelers and ride-along guests welcome aboard.
Dive the islands
This trip is the right fit for you if:
- You are scuba certified, from newly certified to seasoned
- You want a later 9 AM start with tanks, weights and air fills included
- You are new to California kelp diving and want to add a guide
Along for the day
This trip is the right fit for you if:
- You want to snorkel the kelp forest instead of scuba dive
- You are bringing family or friends who would rather relax aboard
- You want the crossing, the hot tub and the wildlife without the dive gear
Dive Adventures
The classic early start. Three dives at snorkel-friendly sites, with snorkelers and ride-alongs welcome.
Limited Load Adventures
Fewer divers, more room. Purpose-driven scuba days for experienced divers.
Freediving Adventures
A quieter day for experienced freedivers and spearos. No scuba onboard.
Snorkel Adventures
A summer trip built for snorkelers, families and first-timers in the kelp.
The largest dive boat in California.
85 feet of aluminum hull, built for a full day on the water with room for everyone.
Individual dive stations
A station for every diver, wide aisles and deck room. Air fills come to your tank, no swapping between dives.
Showers and hot tub
Two hot freshwater showers and a freshwater hot tub that seats eight to warm up between dives.
Room to relax
A giant sundeck and a galley that seats 32. Camera rinse tank and charging outlets too.
Professional crew
A crew running a safe, organized day, with dive briefings before every dive and guides available on request.
Kelp forests, Garibaldi and easy sites.
The Channel Islands sit where the cold California current meets warmer water, so the marine life runs thick. Shallow, bright and beginner-friendly, dive at your own pace.
The crew will point you to the best sites for the day.
- GaribaldiCalifornia's bright orange state fish, all over the reef
- Giant kelp forestSwim the stands in 20 to 50 feet
- Sea lionsCurious and playful on the right day
- Dolphins and whalesOften spotted on the crossing
- Anacapa or Santa CruzTwo sites per day at Anacapa or Santa Cruz
Hour by hour.
A relaxed full day with two dives. Timings are typical and shift with conditions, but the day runs like this.
Boarding begins
Arrive at Ventura Harbor, settle into your assigned station and grab a hot breakfast. Your tank and weights are already waiting at your station.
Safety briefing
The Captain walks everyone through the boat, safety and the plan for the day.
Cast off for the islands
About an hour and a half across. Finish breakfast, explore the boat and watch for dolphins and whales.
First dive
Anchored at Anacapa or Santa Cruz, at a site chosen that morning for the conditions. Site briefings are given for divers and snorkelers before you get in.
BBQ lunch onboard
A freshly grilled BBQ lunch with meat and vegetarian options, plus snacks and drinks.
Second dive
Another site at your own pace. No long swims, we sit right over the site.
Cruise back to Ventura
Settle in with our famous brownie sundae and warm up in the hot tub on the ride home.
Back at the harbor
Tie up at Ventura with plenty of your day still ahead. Weather depending.
Restrooms, two hot showers, a sundeck and a freshwater hot tub to warm up between dives.
Ventura Harbor Village, Dock D.
About an hour from LAX, 90 minutes from downtown LA, 30 minutes from Santa Barbara.
Dock D, Slip 25
Ventura Harbor Village
1591 Spinnaker Dr
Ventura, CA 93001
Whale lot
Park in the lot marked "Whale." Free Monday through Thursday, $10 all day Friday through Sunday and holidays. Free along Spinnaker before the Whale lot.
Board at 8 AM
Safety briefing is at 8:45 and we untie at 9:00 AM sharp. We cannot wait for late arrivals.
Show up ready.
- ✓Be aboard by 8:45 AM. Boarding opens at 8 and the safety briefing starts at 8:45. We untie at 9 and cannot wait for late arrivals.
- ✓Bring your cert card. Required to scuba dive. A logbook is recommended.
- ✓Tanks and weights are included. They are waiting at your station. Bring your own gear or rent the rest online ahead.
- ✓Snorkeling or riding along? Bring a swimsuit and towel. Snorkel gear is available to rent onboard.
- ✓Towel and a change of clothes. Plus sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses for the deck.
- ✓Layer up and pack Dramamine. It gets breezy on the channel. Take it the night before if you get seasick.
Booking & cancellation.
Plans change. Here is how the window works before you book.
- Cancel or reschedule 7 days outCancel or reschedule at least 7 days before departure for a full refund. No-shows and last-minute cancellations are not refundable.
- Add Trip Protection for flexibilityAdd it at checkout to extend your window to 24 hours before departure.
- Weather cancellations are always refundedIf the Captain cancels for weather or unsafe conditions, you always get a full refund.
The easy way to dive the islands.
Two dives, a hot breakfast, BBQ lunch and a brownie sundae in the hot tub on the ride home. Tanks and weights are included, so bring your cert card and we will handle the rest.