Cal Boat Diving - Spectre Dive Boat
We've gone on the Spectre 3 times now to the Channel Islands, off Ventura in southern California. It has always been an amazing experience, and a great value. 4 dives, with breakfast, lunch, snacks and dessert, air fills, is $125. You can also sleep on the boat - they have about 20 bunks- so not only are you ready to go at 7am, but also can save on hotels. We usually drive down from San Francisco the night before, and crash on the boat. The crew is great, and food is amazing. They have Weber grills strapped to the side of the boat and grill up tri-tip steak, chicken, or veggie burgers for lunch. This is not a concierge boat- and no staff enter the water with you- they expect you be a competent diver or bring your own DM. Dives are usually 25-50 feet. It is a larger boat, and 35 divers a trip is not uncommon. They also have a hot tub, and two hot showers on the deck, so post dive you can warm up! It is a family run business, and feels that way- which I like. The only reason I gave the guides 3 stars is because they aren't really "guides" in that they don't dive with you. Otherwise, the boat staff is stellar.
The Channel Islands is some of the best diving in CA, with lots of great critters, majestic kelp, and fish. Every trip we've also stopped to play with the resident sea lion colony, which is absolutely amazing. Imagine 20 sea lions swimming within feet of you and blowing bubbles in your face!
