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Dive Review of Explorer dive boat in
The Continental USA/channel islands

Explorer dive boat, Nov, 2010,

by bill mashek, CA, US (Sr. Reviewer Sr. Reviewer 11 reports with 3 Helpful votes). Report 5812.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 2 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity 4 stars
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments The northern Channel islands chain off the coast of Southern California includes from east to west Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel. Here the warmer waters from the southern Ca counter currents meet the nutrient rich California current. The resulting mix supports a bountiful kelp forests, marine mammals, and endless varieties of fish, invertebrates and plants.
I love diving the channel islands. For hunters, the channel islands are renown for excellent spear fishing and lobster hunting. The Peace Dive boat has several charters per year, just for free diving and hunting. Truth aquatics and Channel Island packers, offer hiking and kayaking trips the islands.

Since this was just a one day trip I chose the Spector dive boat. Spector is the best bargain for one day channel island diving. 3 dives, air and all meals including a barbecue chicken lunch for $95.

The best way to experience the Channel Islands is on a live-aboard. Truth Aquatics and Peace Dive boat offer multi-day and "specialty" trips.

Some of my favorite and most memorable diving has been in the California Channel islands. However, California diving is not for everyone. Sometimes there are strong currents, visibility can range for 5 ft to 75+ ft. It is cold water (48-60+ degree F) You would have to arrange for and pay for your own divemaster/guide.
Websites Explorer dive boat   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving west coast of USA, south-east Asia, Hawaii mexico (east and west coast) throughout central america, northern south america to Ecuador. florida keys and areas of the Caribbean, Greece and Malta
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather rainy, cloudy Seas choppy
Water Temp 60-63°F / 16-17°C Wetsuit Thickness 7
Water Visibility 20-30 Ft/ 6-9 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions No restrictions all channel island boat dives are non-guided, dive your own profile.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins Schools Whale Sharks None
Turtles None Whales None
Corals N/A Tropical Fish N/A
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 2 stars
Large Pelagics N/A

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments The islands are great for both macro and wide-angle photography and the boats have camera rinse tanks.
There were 3 professional under water photographers on our trip.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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