Santa Barbara Island

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Channel Islands National Park map of Santa Barbara Island

Attractions & Wildlife

East side from Arch Point to South Point:

• Landing Cove-Nice anchorage with shallow rocky reef and lots of kelp. Good structure with small crevices, kelp, lobster, some fish and good number of invertebrates. Best for photography. Depths are between 20’-40’.
• The Rookery-Shallow rocky area with large rocks, crevices and sandy bottom. Some areas have large depressions in the rocky reef along with some kelp growing from the larger rocks. If seas are calm you can get in nice and close to where the sea lions are resting and playing above and a good chance of bat ray sights in the sand. Some lobsters and small fish in the area. Great spot to dive with the sea lions and watch them do their acrobatic moves. Depths are between 10’-40’.
• Drop Off Reef-Known also as Southeast Reef. This rocky reef has a shallow plateau that drops to the sand creating a large wall. Lots of kelp and large cervices along the wall with ledges. There are nice size fish here but it is in the Santa Barbara Island Marine Reserve (MR) so no hunting allowed. Can be good for wide angle photography plus there is lots of invertebrate life here. Sea lions are common along with occasional sightings of giant black sea bass. Depths are between 30’-100’.
• Three Sisters-close to South Point and this site has 3 smaller exposed rocks hence the name “Three Sisters”. Rocky reef area with lots of healthy kelp, sheepshead, rock fish, kelp bass, bat rays, sea lions and more. It is shallow around the three rocks and gets deeper to sandy bottom as you head out away from the island creating some small walls and large crevices. Depths are between 15’-60’.

West side from South Point to Arch Point:

• Sutil Island-Very rocky area all along the island sloping down to deeper depths. Some walls and lots of crevices with lots of kelp, calico, sheepshead, rock fish, sea lions and more along with much invertebrate life on the rocks. Large sea stars, possible bat rays and giant black sea bass. Both hunting and photography can be good here. Depths are between 25’-80’.
• Outer Reefs-Santa Barbara Island has many excellent offshore reefs when weather and currents are in your favor. Most all the boats visiting the area have some great spots to put divers on. All of these are very rocky, with large crevices and ledges and can be excellent for the hunter or photographer. Some of these areas will also have purple hydro coral, lobsters, good size fish and healthy kelp. Most of these are deeper with depths between 60’-130’ but an average of about 80’-111’ is not uncommon.
• Shag Rock-Large exposed rock with jagged rocky reef all around it. Steep sides creating walls and big crevices home to lobster, sheepshead, lingcod, rock fish, kelp bass, gorgonians and lots of kelp. Depths are between 30’-80’.
• Arch Rock-This is sometimes called Hidden Reef and is offshore to the west of Webster Point. It is a large rock that comes almost to the surface with kelp on it and at about 50’ it has a big arch that you can swim through. Steep sides with rocky reef and lots of large crevices all around it with large sea stars, sheepshead, lobsters, rock fish and kelp bass making it a good spot for hunters. Because current can be an issue there is much invertebrate life here and a great spot for photographers. Depths are between 20’-80’.
• Black Cavern-There are a number of underwater caverns around Santa Barbara Islands but this one is supposedly the largest. It is offshore from Webster Point and is an advanced dive with the opening at around 90’-100’. The reef is rocky with lots of crevices and ledges and home to sheepshead, lobsters, rock fish and kelp bass making it a good spot for hunters. There is also much invertebrate life here and a great spot for photographers. Depths are between 60’-120’.