Vlad was diving his CCR and I brought along my HP80 with my BP/Wing and my 7 mm. wet suit. We did 3 out of 4 dives, because in our first dive, Vlad and I had a long dive and we were the last one to get back on the boat, and we had to have a longer SI, so we passed the 2nd dive. We then did dive 3 and 4. Well, actually, all the 3 dives we did, we came back as the last divers on the water. We really maximized our dive times ,and when we come up the boat, hell, there were already people in the hot tub and looking at us, like, dudes, you guys are taking a long time diving. I guess, that's what happens when you dive the PNW waters, then you go south and get a 60-80 ft. of viz, you just like to stay underwater as long as you can. Average depth on the 4 dives is around 55 fsw, but Vlad and I went deeper to find some critters. As I was about to jump off the boat on the first dive, while donning my fins, the spring strap snapped-oh crap! No bueno! But no problem, the DM's got me another a loaner yellow split fins (which the sea lions had a great time with the color) and less than a minute later, I was in the water. On our 3rd dive, a dentist who happened to be in the boat and was also diving, loaned me his extra strap, so I was back on my own fins. Now, on the 4th dive, I was already at the gate ready to do the giant stride, and crap, the strap snapped again, so back with the yellow split fins. All is well.
The first 3 sites were all around Gull island, with the boat dropping anchor in different locations. The 4th dive was off of Santa Cruz island called the Cliff Rocks. Marine life was stellar. Boat service was awesome. Food was great. Not to mention, the hot tub on the boat deck. In some trips, the Spectre actually caters to OW classes and have their check-off dives in any of the Channel islands. What a treat for the newbies! But this trip was not catered to classes.
We saw a resting leopard shark in a crevice, that we didn't bother. Don't know if Vlad took a pic of the shark. By the way, sea lions were everywhere to greet you the moment you jump in the water and throughout the dive.
All in all, I would recommend the Spectre Dive Boat, if you wanna dive the Channel Islands. It is owned and operated by Ted (boat captain) and Shannon (wife & cook), sorry, forgot their last names, along with 3 DM's they contract.
Word of mouth says that, Ted and Shannon on the Spectre Dive Boat has around 40 years of experience on charters and, there's only one charter company that compares to them in SoCal.
Forgive me of my sucky pics, and Vlad has promised that he will post his great pics ASAP.
- Vlad
- Vlad
- One of the greeters
- Gull island with Santa Cruz island in the background
- Upper deck view from the Spectre, with the hot tub (not in view) located behind the double white painted bathrooms on the lower deck.
- Hello and Goodbye!
