Map of the California Channel Islands
Southern California Scuba Diving Destinations of the Great Escape
Digital relief map courtesy of
Ray Sterner's Color Land Form Atlas of the United States
San Pedro is home to The Great Escape Live Aboard Scuba Dive Boat.
The Great Escape has the range to visit any site on this map. The Great Escape will stay out for up to 5 days.
Click on map for 1024x768 high resolution version
Location |
Sites for New Divers | Sites Suitable Intermediate Divers | Sites Suitable for Experienced Divers Only | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalina Island Front Side |
X | X | X | Many sites the suitable for novice diver. There are almost always calm sites here. |
| Catalina Island Back Side |
X | X | X | The best side of the island for game. |
| Farnsworth Bank | X | X | Good site for advanced deep dive training when conditions permit. | |
| Santa Barbara Island | X | X | X | Home to a sea lion rookery. About 1/2 the island is an invertebrate preserve in areas under 20' deep. Part of Channel Islands National Park and Marine Sanctuary. |
| San Clemente Island Front Side |
X | X | X | Usually calm. Navy Base:Subject to Closure without Prior Notice. |
| San Clemente Island Back Side |
X | X | X | Many large sites with gradual depth change. Webmaster Chris thinks this is the prettiest place on earth! Navy Base:Subject to Closure without Prior Notice |
| Cortes Bank | X | X | Some large areas of moderate depth 40'-70', other areas with drops into the abyss. | |
| Tanner Bank | X | This is a DEEP dive. Minimum depths of 110'+ with drops into the abyss. Known for huge hydrocoral formations. | ||
| Osborne Bank | X | This is a DEEP dive. Pinnacle area within diver's depth range very small. | ||
| San Nicolas Island | X | X | Sudden current changes common. Home to a very large sea lion colony. Favorite destination for underwater hunters. Navy Base:Subject to Closure without Prior Notice |
|
| Begg Rock | X | X | This is a DEEP dive. Drops into the abyss. | |
| Anacapa Island | X | X | X | Smallest of the Northern Channel Islands. Historic Lighthouse Part of Channel Islands National Park and Marine Sanctuary. |
| Santa Rosa Island | X | X | X | Part of Channel Islands National Park and Marine Sanctuary. |
| Santa Cruz Island | X | X | X | Part of Channel Islands National Park and Marine Sanctuary. |
| San Miguel Island | X | X | Water here is always COLD! 48 to 53 °F Area of deep water upwelling. Part of Channel Islands National Park and Marine Sanctuary. |
|
| Richardson Rock | X | A deep dive in an area of strong surge and currents. Part of Channel Islands National Park and Marine Sanctuary. |
||
| Wilson Rock | X | A deep dive with strong currents common. Part of Channel Islands National Park and Marine Sanctuary. |
Calendar of Trips and Destinations on the Great Escape
Southern California Deep Reefs and Ship Wrecks
Great Southern California Channel Islands Scuba Diving
©1997 Chris Grossman & Great Escape Charters, all rights reserved
last revision: December 20, 2008
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