California's Channel Islands offer great snorkeling spots. These islands are home for many aquatic creatures, including California sea-lions, harbor seals, leopard sharks, and other marine animals. These animals can be found in 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
Located off the southern California coast, Anacapa Island is home to a variety of wildlife and a great snorkeling site. The ferry from Ventura and Island Packers will take you to Anacapa. If you are going on your first trip to the Channel Islands, the National Park Service recommends visiting Anacapa Island. This island is home of a historic lighthouse that offers incredible opportunities to see wildlife.
In the early '50s, a WWII torpedo bomber crashed on Anacapa while on a training mission. 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. Although visibility is usually 20-60 feet, conditions are often poor at this location.
Santa Cruz Island
Visitors to Santa Cruz Island can explore the marine life, which can be seen through the crystal clear water. You will find many marine species here, including turtles, sharks and even elephant seals. Five miles of hiking trails offer breathtaking views and five miles of coastline. Although it is a cliff island the water here is warm enough to snorkel and swim. You should be prepared to deal with the strong winds which can sometimes occur on the Island.
A wide variety of marine species can be found in the Channel Islands. There are many sightings of leopard sharks and California sea lions. As kelp forests have grown into giant forests that host more than 800 species, the underwater world is quite fascinating. These two currents provide support for these unique ecosystems, the California Current (and the Davidson Countercurrent). The confluence of these currents results in a spectacular variety of marine species.
Gull Island
Gull Island is the best spot for snorkeling in California. Gull Island, a small rock island located approximately a mile offshore, is a Marine Protected Area. It offers great diving with visibility and depths between 20' and 110'. The underwater landscape is filled with rocky corals, purple hydrocorals, and invertebrates. You can also explore the wreck of the Guardian plane, which is close to the island.
Gull Island also has eleven species nesting shorebirds. In fact, 99 percent Southern California shorebirds are found in the Channel Islands. Its isolation makes it an ideal nesting location without human disturbance or predators.
Santa Barbara Island
If you enjoy snorkeling or diving, Santa Barbara Island is a great place to visit. It is home to kelp forests and underwater arches as well as rocky reefs. The diverse ecosystem supports many types and species of marine wildlife, including large schools, gorgonians and other invertebrates. There are several excellent dive sites around the island, including one that is popular with professionals.
Santa Barbara Island, a 1-square-mile island, is part of Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. It's located about 55 miles north of Ventura, and 48 miles southwest from Catalina Island. It is known for its beautiful waters and diverse marine life.
Santa Rosa Island
Santa Rosa Island is an island channel in Pacific Ocean. Snorkeling and scuba diving are very popular on the island. The southeast part of the island features large reefs and kelp beds. The reefs are of different types, including low-lying rocky reefs and large rocky outcroppings with mini walls. Because of this structure, they support a wide variety of marine life, including many fish and lobster. You will also find invertebrates like gorgonians.
Water temperatures are generally pleasant and warm in summer, but can get colder in winter. You should wear layers or a light-weight sweater or jacket. Although the islands are blessed with warm water all year round, they can also experience rain.