Diving and Snorkeling in Channel Islands National Park

Just miles off the southern California coast, the islands of Channel Islands National Park offer some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world. Divers and snorkelers can access snorkeling and diving sites with the park concessionaire, dive tour boats, or by private boat. Kelp forests, underwater forests providing shelter and food for over 1,000 species of animals and plants living within them, await the adventurous swimmer, snorkeler, and diver. Seals, sea lions, fishes, marine invertebrates and algae all blend together under the kelp canopy to form one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in the world. These kelp forests, as well coastal geological structures like sea caves and coves, offer amazing opportunities to experience the underwater world of marine creatures.

If you are unable to travel to these ocean ecosystems, there is another option: Channel Islands Live brings this ocean realm to you, in an interactive broadcast that takes you on a virtual swim through the kelp forest. You can experience a rare glimpse into this seldom seen world without even getting wet! From the landing cove at Anacapa Island, park rangers wearing special dive masks descend into the kelp forest, camera in hand. The divers explain what the visitors are seeing through the camera and answer any questions about the kelp forest and its many inhabitants, from lobsters to spiny sea urchins to brightly colored fish. Visitors can participate in these programs via the Internet, on Anacapa Island, or at the Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center in Ventura Harbor.

https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/diving.htm

Channel Islands Live:
https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/live-dive.htm