California's Channel Islands is a great location for snorkeling. These islands are home for many aquatic creatures, including California sea-lions, harbor seals, leopard sharks, and other marine animals. These creatures can also be seen in the Santa Cruz Channel Islands. Sea lions are not the only marine creature you will see, but Garibaldi is the name for a huge goldfish.
Anacapa Island
Anacapa Island, located off the coast of southern California, is home to many species of wildlife and an excellent snorkeling spot. By ferry from Ventura or Island Packers, you can get to Anacapa. The National Park Service recommends Anacapa Island if you're making your first trip to Channel Islands. This island offers great opportunities to view wildlife and is home to an historic lighthouse.
A WWII torpedo bomber was on a training mission when it crashed into Anacapa in the 1950s. Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt. The plane can still be seen floating in the water about 120 feet below. You can snorkel at this site and you'll see sea lions and other marine creatures. The visibility at this site is often 20'-60', but be aware that conditions here are poor.
Santa Cruz Island
Santa Cruz Island offers visitors the opportunity to explore the marine life through the clear waters. You will find many marine species here, including turtles, sharks and even elephant seals. The island is also home to five miles of hiking trails, which offer stunning ocean views. Although the island lies on a cliff edge, the water there is warm enough for snorkeling and swimming. You should be prepared to deal with the strong winds which can sometimes occur on the Island.
An incredible variety of marine species are found in the Channel Islands. You will often see leopard sharks, California sea-lions, harbor seals and other marine species. As kelp forests have grown into giant forests that host more than 800 species, the underwater world is quite fascinating. Two currents help to support these unique ecosystems - the California Current and Davidson Countercurrent. These two currents create a confluence that allows for amazing marine life.
Gull Island
One of the best snorkeling destinations in California is Gull Island. Gull Island, a small rock island located approximately a mile offshore, is a Marine Protected Area. There is excellent diving around the island, with visibility of up to 100 feet and depths from 20 to 110ft. The underwater landscape is filled with rocky corals, purple hydrocorals, and invertebrates. The wreckage of the Guardian plane can be viewed close by.
Gull Island also has eleven species nesting shorebirds. The Channel Islands contain 99 percent of Southern California's shorebird populations. The Channel Islands are ideal nesting habitats, as they are protected from predators.
Santa Barbara Island
Santa Barbara Island, a wonderful place to go snorkeling and diving is also a great spot. The island has kelp forests as well as underwater arches and rock reefs. The island's diverse ecosystem supports many kinds of marine life including schools of fish, gorgonians and invertebrates. There are several excellent dive sites around the island, including one that is popular with professionals.
Santa Barbara Island (one-square-mile) is an island that forms part of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. It is located approximately 55 miles north of Ventura and 48 miles southwest of Catalina Island. Because of its clear waters and diversity of marine life, it is a popular spot for snorkeling.
Santa Rosa Island
Santa Rosa Island is a channel islands in the Pacific Ocean that offers snorkeling and scuba diving. The large reefs and kelpbeds of the southeast portion of the island are a highlight. There are many types of reefs, including low-lying rock reefs and large outcroppings of rocky material with small walls. This structure supports a wide range of marine life, including many lobsters and fish. Here are also invertebrates, like gorgonians.
The water temperature is generally warm and pleasant during the summer months, but it can be chilly in the winter months. Layers and a lightweight jacket or sweater are best. The islands have warm water all year long, but can also receive rain.