Channel Islands, California, United States

Santa Barbara Island

Santa Barbara Island is the smallest island in Channel Islands National Park, about 60 km off the southern California coast and reached only by liveaboard or longer-range charter from San Pedro and Long Beach. The island is a Marine Protected Area where fishing is prohibited and the underwater life reflects four decades of protection. Granite reef pinnacles ring the island and rise to within a few metres of the surface, with kelp forests of giant kelp and bull kelp, dropping into deeper sand at 30 metres. The island is home to large breeding colonies of California sea lions, harbor seals, and northern elephant seals; encounters with curious juveniles are routine. Other regulars include garibaldi (the California state marine fish), sheephead, kelp bass, blue and olive rockfish, lingcod, large cabezon, California spiny lobster, and the occasional giant black sea bass at the larger pinnacles. Visibility is typically 12 to 20 metres, best in late summer and fall. Cold water; 7 mm or dry suit recommended.