Tide pools and kelp forests in Channel Islands California

[JoJosReef]

Garibaldi

Crabs

Urchins

A very strange spineless urchin...

Abalone

Limpets, snail and a chiton

Starfish

Nems

Barnacles and bivalves

Ever feel like you're being watched??

Really cool day trip. One day I'll get a wetsuit and snorkel it. Or maybe go somewhere warmer...

 

[Slocke]

Awesome shots! Going to start a cold water tank?

 

[tzabor10]

Garibaldi

Crabs

Urchins

A very strange spineless urchin...

Abalone

Limpets, snail and a chiton

Starfish

Nems

Barnacles and bivalves

Ever feel like you're being watched??

Really cool day trip. One day I'll get a wetsuit and snorkel it. Or maybe go somewhere warmer...

Most dive shops will rent out a wetsuit. Great pictures. Thanks

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Garibaldi

Crabs

Urchins

A very strange spineless urchin...

Abalone

Limpets, snail and a chiton

Starfish

Nems

Barnacles and bivalves

Ever feel like you're being watched??

Really cool day trip. One day I'll get a wetsuit and snorkel it. Or maybe go somewhere warmer...

No Way! We were just there (Santa Cruz) on Saturday and went snorkeling.

 

[VintageReefer]

So. Awesome.

 

[Cali Reef Life]

The kelp forest there is really cool!
Been wanting to sucba dive there for a few years now.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Image pulled from video...

 

[JoJosReef]

No Way! We were just there (Santa Cruz) on Saturday and went snorkeling.

Nice shot! We had a voucher from a missed trip in the summer we had to use. Next time I want to snorkel for sure. That water is cold, though!

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Nice pics!

A very strange spineless urchin...

Haha, for anyone wondering, this is the Giant Keyhole Limpet, Megathura crenulata. They mainly feed on tunicates and red algae, but they'll eat basically anything they can catch (snails, bryozoans, foraminiferans, hydroids, crustaceans, worms, etc.).

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Nice shot! We had a voucher from a missed trip in the summer we had to use. Next time I want to snorkel for sure. That water is cold, though!

Actually, I just had a shorty on and I was fine. Might do the dive boat next time, but would do a full suit for sure, if not a dry suit.

 

[Tcook]

Beautiful pictures. I’ve been sailing off there a few times. Though an exceedingly rare event I always remember this post someone made on Trip Advisor.

“I took my family for one full week camping here around July 2001. We brought four kayaks with us on Island Packers with our camping gear, and numerous gallon jugs of water and food. We had a fantastic time! We kayaked the sea caves, circled around to the small harbor on the other side of the island (It took a few hours round trip). We hiked the trails as well.

Be VERY Aware:

1. You need a good first aid kit (not a small hikers version) . We had a few mishaps and needed it. We never saw the Ranger, that I can recall, the whole time we were there.

2. If you go in the water, wear quality water shoes that cover your feet.

3. Great White Sharks. We came across two great white sharks over 20 feet long attacking seals about 30 minutes west of the campsite. They were about 10 -20 foot offshore in deep water. About 50 -100 harbor seals were screaming like murder (deaths were taking place), and in panic one or two jumping in the water off the rocks. I assume the sharks ate well, the next day we saw a half eaten one washed ashore.

I have never been back due to fear and fright. I am a avid outdoorsman and do not frighten easily.

We were about 40 feet away coming around a bend when we saw them slicing through the water. the fins were about two foot long.

I know that it is rare to see great whites, but keep it in mind. After about ten years I am just now considering going kayaking out there again.”

 

[areefer01]

The kelp forest there is really cool!
Been wanting to sucba dive there for a few years now.

Channel Islands are not a bad place to dive. Monterey as well. Some of the best diving in the world in some divers opinions.

 

[Lavey29]

Did you kayak the water caves to?

 

[JoJosReef]

Did you kayak the water caves to?

I did not. I was just there kicking around Cueva Valdez with the family. Would love some more time to do kayaking and snorkeling.

There was a dead sea lion near the shore, so duly noted @Tcook !

 

[Lavey29]

I did not. I was just there kicking around Cueva Valdez with the family. Would love some more time to do kayaking and snorkeling.

There was a dead sea lion near the shore, so duly noted @Tcook !

I just saw a special on tv about kayaking and exploring Chanel islands so it's on my list now.