We had two days of amazing diving off best dive small ship/boat. The Spectre is not only a dive…read moreboat it is a day cruise with food and beverages being served through out the day. On board hot tub and showers too. The crossing to the islands included dolfins and other sea life. Once to the channel Island we were able to witness the beautiful coast line of Santa Cruz and Anacapa islands. The diving was amazing. Clear blue water and plenty to see. Swim throughs and towering sea kelp made for a magical experience. The crew of the Spectre are top notch and made the entire trip enjoyable. They work hard to provide service to everyone and see to passengers needs right away. The captain always puts us in the safest and most enjoyable dive sites. I look forward to planning more trips on the Spectre. It truly is a upper level experience.

I had such a great time on the Spectre. This is my second trip with them and I have nothing but…read moregreat things to say. From the ease of having your equipment already loaded when you board, to their helpful staff when you're prepping it, to the lunch and many snacks along the way, to the knowledgable dive masters to prep you for each drop. It's honestly worth every penny to dive with these guys. I do recommend a weekday though, if you can get it, because weekends tend to get pretty packed!

We went out on the Raptor Dive boat to Anacapa at a dive location they called "Underwater Island"…read more One of the dive masters, Mike showed us a few amazing spots over our two dives. We hadn't been diving in a bit so the help was greatly appreciated. He really knew exactly what to explain and seemed to pick up on where we needed help the most. The day was amazing and I hope to go again.

Absolutely incredible Women's Dive Day hosted by Ventura Sport onboard of the Raptor…read more From start to finish, the event was a celebration of community, empowerment, and love for the ocean. The all-female crew was inspiring, super professional, welcoming, and clearly passionate about creating a space where women could connect, dive, and thrive together. We started with an energizing dive briefing and a introductions, they reminded us of all safety and rules, The conditions were perfect for diving, a little fog and overcast skies, calm water, great visibility, and the energy on board was unmatched. Between dives, we shared amazing food provided by the shop, laughed, and swapped stories. The raffle prizes were a fun bonus, and it was clear how much thought went into every detail. This wasn't just a dive trip for women, it was a statement, a celebration, and a reminder of what community can look like underwater and above. Huge thanks to Ventura Sport and Raptor Charters and every woman (and men) who made this event possible. Can't wait for the next one!

I called Sheri a bit over a month ago, trying to find an instructor to certify me before my scuba…read morediving trip. Everyone in Santa Barbara and vicinity was booked for a solid month and I needed to get certified within two weeks. Sheri patiently listened to my story and next day (after putting out some desperately-seeking-instructor messages), connected me with a fantastic instructor (Michael Francisco). Located on Catalina Island. LOL! I had not intended to make this extra three-day trip so close to my 2 week vacation, but hey... you do what you gotta do. And it was a truly educational and beautiful experience, which accomplished my goal and that I would not have known was an option had it not been for Sheri.  She also made a great recommendation for a scuba diving vacation location, which my instructor echoed. I went with their idea and was gifted an incredible diving trip. Sheri and my instructor continue to give me pointers about all kinds of things scuba-related and I am very grateful to have literally, stumbled upon such great resources. Thank you for all of your amazingness, Sheri and Michael!

We spent two days- a total of six dives- with Sheri's expert guidance of the Anacapa Island's dive…read moresites: Cathedral Cove, Landing Cove, West Winfield Scott, Garden Spot, Canyons and Gold Fish Bowl. Sheri helped us to find the most incredible sea life! She is detail-oriented in terms of safety - as one would expect an instructor/dive master to be. Sheri is also a really fun person with a wealth of experience, wisdom and a true love of the ocean and its inhabitants. I highly recommend her to anyone interested in some fantastic diving...

I can't say enough great things about SCDiving in Camarillo, CA! My daughter and I just completed…read moreour Open Water certification here and had an amazing experience from start to finish. The staff is incredibly professional and clearly knows their stuff. They explain everything in a way that's easy to understand and really make safety a top priority, which helped me feel confident in the water. What really stood out to me was their patience--especially with my 12-year-old daughter. The instructors were so encouraging and supportive with her, taking the time to make sure she was comfortable and confident while still keeping things fun. As a parent, that meant everything. You can tell they truly care about their students and love what they do. If you're looking for a dive shop with knowledgeable instructors, a welcoming atmosphere, and top-notch training, SCDiving is the place to go. We had an awesome experience and will definitely be diving with them locally and at Catalina! Robert, Dan, Zach, and Gaby are absolutely great- we are thankful for all their help! Especially getting on gear!

Ive been diving with this shop since last august. After watching how incredible they have been…read morecertifying dozens of new divers, I enrolled my stepson for his junior open water certification. Not only did he have a blast and leave the water with more confidence than ever, but they paid so much attention to his safety and experience that I have decided to sign up my nieces and nephews as well! As for leveling up certifications, they're the place to go! I'm in the rescue diver training now and have had such a wonderful, informative experience that I am already saving up for more specialty certifications. Looking for a shop to join for social dives or leveling up certifications? Maybe you just need some new gear, fair prices, and/or good recommendations. No matter what you're looking for you'll find it here. Ive logged hundreds of dives in my 15 years of diving , so I can say with confidence: they're the BEST there is!!

Did three dives in May off Anacapa island from the Spectre dive boat. It was great diving and my…read moreguide Matt was awesome. He showed me all sorts of amazing sea life and underwater curiosities at our dive sites. Highlights include giant lobsters, leopard sharks, humongous crabs, an old shipwreck, and large kelp forests! I'd highly recommend diving with DGCI, they made the whole experience very easy and fun!

From the owner: Dive Channel Islands offers a full-service scuba diving or snorkeling experience so that you can…read moreenjoy the pristine kelp forest and diverse marine life off the California coast. Our dive trips include the boat transfer to the islands, an experienced guide to show you three different dive spots and all snacks & meals. Full or Half Scuba Rentals can be added so all you have to do is book and show up.

As always the crew from CIDA treated us like family, spoiling us with great dives, incredible…read moreviews, unbelievable hospitality of course delicious food. We'll be back again soon to dive with the CIDA crew.

The Channel Islands had been on my diving list for quite some time. Had planned to make a SBI trip…read morewith two friends, who had to bail at the last minute. Ken was more than accommodating of the changes, and continued to roll with the punches the whole weekend. The group was around 15 experienced divers, all friendly and humble. Captain and crew were equally fun and skilled. We re-routed the trip based on weather, and ended up with average conditions, which in all respects were the best we could hope for at that point. Accommodations were clean, dry, and comfortable and sleeping wasn't an issue. Nitrox fills were $6 (air would have been free), and tanks were topped off promptly after each dive. A tip: skip the wetsuit in favor of a looser-fitting drysuit. Many wetsuits didn't fit by the end of the weekend thanks to the wonderful, plentiful food!

My husband and I booked the EPIC (an accurate description) Sea Caves tour and what an incredible…read moreexperience it was! There were so many great moments and high points, including a playful pod of dolphins that leaped in and out of the boat's wake (and alongside us); kayaking among a large nursery of leopard sharks, both babies and adults; in one of the sea caves, the phosphorescence was lit up like a bright neon blue light along one wall of the cavern; and finally, snorkeling in a gorgeous kelp forest was beyond words! SO many fish (and one seal that sped by us like a bullet train). Our deepest gratitude to the crew, Roger, Cameron and Cooper for their kindness, humor and far-ranging knowledge of marine and island life. It's plain to see they love what they do and we were lucky to be a part of it.

If you're thinking about taking this tour just do it! From the moment you arrive these guys treat…read moreyou like your best friend visiting the islands for the first time. They show you all the cool stuff answer all your questions. It's been a few days and we're already missing them! They are truly lovely to chat with. When it was time to hit the activities they went to work showing their skills and knowledge. FYI we're vegetarian and the lunch was lovely- so make sure you order that too! Thanks Captain Dan and crew! It was a bucket list day we won't forget!

My daughter Saja had a wonderful time It was an experience…read moreof a lifetime It is safe, fun and a unique experience She learned so much and got to see beautiful places and to be close to nature I highly recommend it

My daughter sofia had a wonderful trip to hawaii with wild traveler when she was 14. two years…read morelater she still talks about it and thinks of hawaii as the greatest place. we recently moved to hong kong from new york and to convince her to come here i told her it was similar to hawaii. ryan was great and very responsive and helpful to resolve any doubts or questions. he's a pro.

I did my PEDI training at Maverick UnderSea Divers. I am satisfied and grateful. They are kind and…read morepatient coaches. Thank you again

you won't get better service or prices anywhere. Jennifer is the friendliest, nicest person to work…read morewith. Give Maverick's a try and you won't look back.

Peace Scuba is a classy, professional, and friendly local liveaboard operator that runs multi-day…read moredive trips to the Channel Islands. Their dive boat, the Peace, is relatively small but comfortable and well-designed. The captain is friendly, competent, and very knowledgeable about local dive areas. Ditto for the crew. The boat offers EAN up to 32% from a membrane system, and also air. Tank rentals are also available. There's plenty of room for gear, cameras, etc., and a charging station for electronics. A highlight of the trip is the food, which is outrageously good and plentiful. The normal menu is *two* breakfasts, lunch, and sit-down served dinner, plus snacks and drinks. It's BYOB, but plenty of room to store it. The boat even has a tiny but fun hot tub! It's a blessing for wet-suit divers, but fun for everyone as well. The price is about $500 for 2 1/2 days, but that gives you at least 9 dives. I squeezed in 12! In Monterey, you pay $90 for *two* dives (and no food). Nitrox is extra; usually runs $75. Cons (minor): The crew is low-key, so you sometimes have to ask for help. The bunkroom is also small; this is not a big tropical liveaboard!

Just finished our 6th annual labor day weekend on the Peace Boat, diving Catalina and the Channel…read moreIslands. These guys are real pro's - they find the best sites, pay careful attention to safety and are there for you when you need help with your gear. The Peace is a great boat for the new divers to the most advanced. The food is amazing - it is always coming and is fresh and well prepared. The staff have a nice laid back but efficient manner. I have been on many dive boats, but none are better than the Peace!