Diving in CA

I'm going to Oxnard, CA for my summer's family trip and i want to find a nice place where i can dive.

I have heard that the channel islands are a great place to dive at, but i cant seem to find a local dive group(in Oxnard or any near place) that run boats to the channel islands, can anyone help me?

Note: I am going to need instructed dives and etc since it's my first time there:P

Check these sites for dive boat info -

http://www.truthaquatics.com/

http://californiadiveboats.com/

I would suggest driving up to Santa Barbara & diving with Truth Aquatics on their boats Conception or Vision. I've always had great trips with them over many years diving Northern Channel Islands. They also run trips to Southern Channel Islands. Diving conditions can vary, depending on weather, especially at San Miguel & Santa Rosa Islands. Naturally that's where to best photo ops are, but all islands have great dive sites.

Unfortunately I have no experience with Oxnard or Venture boats, so can't comment on their operations.

If you're going to head out of Ventura, hop on either the Peace (mostly overnight trips) or Spectre (day trips).

Truth Aquatics out of Santa Barbara.

Thanks alot i will check all of those out and will consider which to take, now for the islands which one would you recommend for good diving sites? Or are they all good and i just have to make my mind on 1-2?

Thanks alot i will check all of those out and will consider which to take, now for the islands which one would you recommend for good diving sites? Or are they all good and i just have to make my mind on 1-2?

Where you want to dive is Richardson's rock, off the end of San Miguel island.

I rate this as the best dive in the world, anywhere.

But it's rare that the boats make it there.

There are 3 boats running out of Ventura (right next to Oxnard). The Peace (www.peaceboat.com) is the best IMHO. They run to all the northern islands, though mostly to Anacapa. Great food and a hot-tub on board. The Spectre (www.calboatdiving.com) only runs to Anacapa and sometimes to Santa Cruz. They run a lot of charters for Sports Chalet and have a lot of students. Both are great boats with very good crews. The last boat is the Rapture. It is a fairly small and fast boat, but serves no warm food. It is more of the type you would find in the Caribbean.

Dive trips are typically 4 tanks and there is no DM in the water, i.e. bring your own buddy. You can "rent" a DM or simply ask on board during the briefing. There is usually no current around here and no drop-offs with a max depth of 60-80 ft on most sites. Also, all diving here is cold water diving. Temp on a warm day in summer is in the low 60s, more typically mid-50s. Viz is normally in the 20-30 ft range.

If you do not have cold water & open water experience, then I strongly recommend you 'rent' a local D/M.

Richardson's Rock is not the kidde pool!

You might also want to consider learning how to dive with a drysuit. It can get cold down there.

Steve

how much would a DM cost? since im going to be diving alone(im the only person in my family who dives) and im going to be there in the start of august.

how much would a DM cost? since im going to be diving alone(im the only person in my family who dives) and im going to be there in the start of august.

The Peace offers a guide for $125 (https://www.peacescubastore.com/ProductDeta...oductCode=GUIDE). Not sure about the other boats. If you get a guide through the local stores, it'll be a bit more since you'll have to cover the DM and the DM's trip cost. If you are comfortable diving and have done some cold water dives before, I suggest asking the DM on the boat to find a buddy for you during the briefing held before each dive. In my experience there are always a couple solo divers willing to pair up. If you've never done a cold water dive before, yes, get a DM at least for the first trip.

Another option is to sign up for a class and you'll get an instructor in the water with you, you'll learn something new and the gear is sometimes included (depending on the shop). Good options would be Nitrox or dry suit diving. If you are staying past 9/29/12 (Lobster season opens), take a lobster hunting class and have dinner as well . There are a number of good dive shops in the area. I am partial to Malibu Divers (www.malibudivers.com) since I work for them . Lastly, you could do a guided beach check out dive and then go on the boat.

As for dive sites. Like for other folks here, San Miguel is my favorite, but it is advanced diving and definitely on the cold side (40-50F). Not a lot of boats run out there since it is a 7 hr trip from Ventrua (one way). Anacapa has had marine protected areas for a long time and has a lot of great sites (Cathedral cove with lot so kelp, Underwater arch with lots of sea lions, Underwater island for a small wall to name some of my favorites). If you take a boat from San Pedro/Long Beach you can go to Catalina island, which often offers a little bit of better viz. And if you have time, take a road trip down to San Diego to dive the Yukon and Ruby E, two really nice wrecks.

Dunadin, thanks a lot for your help ^^ time for me to investigate a bit on my own ^^