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Dive Review of Truth Aquatics/The Vision in
The Continental USA/S. Channel Islands off Califor

Truth Aquatics/The Vision: "Great Diving in teh Southern Channel Islands", Aug, 2015,

by David Baez, FL, US ( 1 report). Report 8399.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments We (a group of 6 friends) did 5 day live aboard trip with Truth Aquatics to the Southern Channel Islands (August 18-22). The trip was a limited load, which means we had about half the normal load of people on board.

The boat (The Vision) was pretty comfortable, with single and double bunks in the lower deck. There isn't a lot of room for suitcases downstairs but since this was a limited load trip, we could use the extra bunks as closets. The bunks are comfortable, they provide pillows and blankets. They suggest you bring a sleeping bag but my wife and I just took a king size fitted sheet, and a blanket. We found it to be sufficient.

Also in the lower deck there is a bathroom with two sinks and two showers The water is hot, and enough pressure. I found that as the week went on, the sump water would splash up a little through the shower drain with the boat moving, so I found that might be an issue for some. It certainly was for me, even though I took flip flops for the shower, I did not take a shower there the last two days and opted for the open air showers on deck. There are three heads/toilets on the main deck, each in it's own private "room" with a small sink.

The diving is done off the back of the main deck, where each diver has his/her "station". you do a giant stride entry off the sides of the boat, or sometimes the front, depending on the site. You get back on via a stainless steel grate platform that is partially submerged. You hoist yourself onto it and wait on your knees while the crew
gets your fins. That was a literal pain in the knees, so I would often turn myself, sit, and pull off my own fins while seated. That wasn't an option for my wife who is 5'4" and had an LP95 strapped to her back.

There is a drying room below decks for your wet and drysuits, along with an electric clothes dryer that comes handy for towels or drysuit undergarments that might be damp.

The food was great, the two cooks were really accommodating and the menu was announced early enough that if you did not eat something, they could prepare an alternative.

We did 4-6 dives each day, and the diving was AWESOME. We went to Santa Barbara, San Clemente, Santa Catalina, Farnsworth Bank and Anacapa. We had awesome weather, and were able to go to sites that the captain said often are difficult due to current. That said, be prepared for current. My wife and I did a dive where the current conditions changed quite a bit. We entered when the kelp could be seen at the surface, exited when the kelp was all underwater and at a 45 deg angle.

Websites Truth Aquatics   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving [Unspecified]Bonaire, Cozumel, Roatan, Utila, Puerto Rico, Florida coast and inland.
Closest Airport Santa Barbara or LAX Getting There We flew into LAX, took a shuttle to Sta. Barbara

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, cloudy, dry Seas calm, surge, currents, no currents
Water Temp 59-71°F / 15-22°C Wetsuit Thickness 0
Water Visibility 25-80 Ft/ 8-24 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions No restrictions whatsoever, you are an adult, and you can dive to the best of your abilities.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks 1 or 2 Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles None Whales None
Corals 3 stars Tropical Fish N/A
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics N/A

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

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments I am not one, but I saw that since this was a "limited load" trip, where they carry half of the normal amount of passengers, there was plenty of space for UWPs and their gear.
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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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