Channel Islands
Update 4/1/12:
We only have a few openings on our annual dive boat charter the end of July so, if you aren’t already on the trip, now is the time to sign up. We’ll all board the Truth Aquatics custom dive boat, the “Conception” on Saturday evening from Sea Landing in Santa Barbara, the boat will depart for Catalina Island while we are sleeping. If you are a new or inexperienced diver this is the best way I know to practice and hone your skills. You will be with many of your more experienced dive club friends and we’ll be happy to dive with you. If you are an experienced diver there will also be plenty of opportunities for you to enjoy dives suited to your skills. We usually anchor in areas along the islands that are protected from the wind and waves and that offer a variety of diving from rocky walls and huge rocks to sand flats. You are assured of seeing a lot of sea life, both large and small. Water temperatures typically are in the mid to upper 60’s and visibility varies from 10 or 15 feet to almost infinity. We will again spend the first 3 days diving Catalina with dive goals of seeing the Giant Black Seabass and of diving the underwater sea mount “Farnsworth Banks”. Night dives will be held every night that conditions allow. I strongly encourage you to try one if you have never done it before. Tuesday night, after the night dive, we will weigh anchor and head north to the islands closer to Santa Barbara, if you are a hunter here is where you will have a better chance of finding scallops.
While there will be opportunities for more dives than you will probably want to make there is plenty to do on the boat if you want to just hang out and watch the ac/on. The conception has a television with a VCR, but you will probably spend most of your top time watching the other divers and enjoying the beautiful scenery along the island’s shorelines, or sunning on the top deck. We often have non-diving guests who come just to relax and enjoy the experience. It is amazing how good, and plentiful, the food is that is prepared by the crew in the tiny galley. Snacks and munchies are ALWAYS available to replenish your energy. I have been asked to request a full turkey dinner for one night and I’m sure there will be prime rib barbequed on the grill located on the deck. Night time desserts include various pies, cakes and ice cream EVERY NIGHT! If you want to maintain your trim figure you will definitely have to exercise your will power to avoid the temptations. If you are on a special diet you can be accommodated as long as I know what it is, in advance, so that I can notify the crew.
The cost of this trip for our members, and their guests, is only $625.00. This includes all meals, snacks, nonalcoholic beverages, almost unlimited air fills and (best of all) the company of your fellow Dolphin Dive Club members. You will need to bring all of your own dive gear with you, including one tank and your weights. If you prefer you can rent what you need from the Sea Landing office and they will put them on the boat for you.
For more information please check our website, come to club meetings, drop me an e-mail.
