THE CHANNEL ISLANDS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Sealions and sharks in California's Kelp Forests

Saturday 14th September - Sunday 22nd

September 2002 (9 days)

Leader: Charles Hood

Group size limit:12 divers plus leader

A short ferry ride from the Los Angeles coast lies the archipelago of the Channel Islands. Formed from an extension of the Santa Monica Mountains, which lie behind the popular Malibu Beach area of Los Angeles, the islands are characterized by spectacular sheer cliffs permeated with caves and dotted with exquisite coves surrounded by rock arches and pinnacles. Relatively few visitors venture to these beautiful, and for the most part uninhabited, islands which comprise the Channel Islands National Park. Santa Catalina Island, or simply Catalina as it is popularly known, is the only island in the archipelago with a permanent resident population and it is here that you will be based for this spectacular and unusual diving holiday. The town of Avalon is a quaint village with an oceanfront promenade. Cars are strictly limited so most visitors rent bicycles or golf carts. As a result, the interior of the island is a nature preserve, teeming with unusual flora and fauna in a landscape ranging from dry coastal desert to verdant woodland. The islands are preserved in the same rugged natural condition as they have been for thousands of years.

It is, however, the spectacular underwater world which excites and attracts divers! Imagine a flooded rainforest where the sunlight penetrates the thick canopy in a mystical and truly amazing display akin to the lighting spectacular of a rock concert, for here the kelp, which can grow more than 30 metres in height, grows in green forests and provides numerous safe water hideaways for hundreds of species of fish, crustaceans and anemones. These in turn provide meals for larger, hungry predators such Harbour Seals, California Sealions and, of course, sharks!

Water temperatures will be around 21^oC, so a 5-6 mm wetsuit or semi-drysuit will be appropriate. Visibility averages around 20 metres and currents are slight, but sufficient to keep the water rich in the nutrients required to support the incredible diversity of marine life. The majority of dives will be between 5 and 25 metres, but some sites have sheer walls descending to 60 metres, for those with a liking for deeper diving. Imagine a much-larger-than-life version of UK diving, with anemones thirty centimetres across and standing over 20 centimetres proud of the holdfast. Large tufts of red and pink gorgonian coral are quite common and Garibaldi fish show as flashes of brilliant orange-gold, offering a striking colour contrast to the green of the kelp. Fascinating subjects for the macro photographer or marine biologist include a wide variety of vividly coloured nudibranchs, gobies, sponges, sea urchins and starfish, although it will be almost impossible not to run off lots of shots of the highly photogenic seals and sealions that are both playful and teasing as they dart at great speed through the stems of kelp. It is impossible, for anyone who follows the work of our greatest underwater photographers, not to have noticed the incredible photographic potential of these dense submarine forests and their inhabitants! Keep an eye out for unusual sharks for here you may find Pacific Angel Shark, Horn Shark, Leopard Shark and Swell Shark lurking in the kelp beds and hoping for a snack. Pirates Cove has interesting underwater topography and was the film location for 'Waterworld'. Italian Gardens is one of the finest kelp forest dives and a place where daily sightings of Bat Rays are made.

Away from the islands, a few hours sailing into the spectacularly clear oceanic waters of the Pacific, can be found the pelagics. Here in mid-water, after baiting, is where Blue Sharks are found. With superb grace, these beautiful dark blue creatures will curve sinuously and gracefully towards the tempting bait of tuna heads. As they meander round the bait you will have the opportunity to swim amongst them! Once the bait is in the water and the sharks turn up, divers enter the water in a roomy cage: then those who wish to leave the cage and enjoy swimming freely with the sharks are quite at liberty to do so. The cage is there for diver's complete comfort and peace of mind (it is quite possible that the legendary Mako Shark may show up to join in the picnic!) With luck, the awesome Marlin and some large tuna may also turn up. The cage is placed in only 3 metres of water and between 3 and 5 divers are usually in the water at any one time, ensuring that shark encounters are of the finest quality!

Charles Hood, the accomplished underwater photographer and journalist, will return to the Channel Islands to lead this tour, which is his choice for the most unusual photographic opportunities and exciting shark encounters. Charles will be on hand for informal photographic discussion and critique, but non-photographers are equally welcome. Not only is this unique trip almost impossible to arrange on an individual basis, but travelling with Charles means that the group is completely in control of its own diving management and will certainly benefit from Charles's knowledge and experience. Everyone knows how frustrating it can be to leave a spectacular dive site without the possibility of returning - not a problem you will encounter on this group.

The trip consists of 6 days diving including both boat diving around Catalina itself and all day shark diving trips out into the Pacific Ocean. Night diving will be available (at extra cost). Nitrox, both 32% and 36%, is available for a supplementary charge, payable locally.

Itinerary

Saturday 14th September: Virgin Atlantic midday flight from London (Heathrow) bound for Los Angeles, arriving in the afternoon. After a short bus journey we take the ferry from Long Beach to Avalon on Santa Catalina Island, arriving in the evening for a 7 nights stay at the Hotel Atwater.

Sunday 15th September- Friday 20th September: Six days of diving to include four days diving around the island of Catalina (3 boat dives daily) and 2 days of all day shark diving trips offshore. Choice of dive sites will be a group decision.

Saturday 21st September: Late morning departure from Avalon to Los Angels Airport in time to connect with the Virgin Atlantic early evening flight bound for London.

Sunday 22nd September: Morning arrival at London (Heathrow).

£1760 (non-divers: £930) London/London

Includes:

· Scheduled flights London (Heathrow)/Los Angeles/London (Heathrow) by Virgin Atlantic.

·Transfers by road and ferry between Los Angeles and Santa Catalina Island.

· 7 nights room only accommodation on a twin/share basis at Hotel Atwater, Catalina.

· 4 days diving (3 boat dives per day) around Catalina with continental breakfast and lunch on the boat, cylinders and weights

· 2 days shark diving offshore with continental breakfast and lunch on the boat, cylinders and weights.

· Services of Charles Hood as group leader.

Single Occupancy Supplement: £273. Please note that, while we will endeavour to find a room-mate for those on the expedition who are travelling alone and would prefer to share accommodation, in the event of a rom-mate not being available the full single room supplement will apply. Room-mates will be allocated on a first-come first served basis.

Deposit: £300

Note: Should two people travelling together apply for the last place on the tour, we may, at our discretion, increase the group size limit by one.