The Mystique of San Miguel

Diving the Channel Islands

San Miguel is one of four islands in the upper island chain in The Channel Islands National Park which is located off the coast of Southern California and covers nearly 250,000 acres.

Almost all of the island (8,960 acres) has also been designated as an archaeological district on the National Register of Historic Places. This westernmost Channel Island receives northwesterly winds and severe weather from the open ocean. The cold and nutrient-rich water surrounding the island is home to a diverse array of sea life that is not found on the southern islands.

Enjoy the following excerpt from an article by Mike Bartick

… The Channel Islands are one of my favorite places in the world to dive. Very few places capture the essence of California diving as well as the Channel Islands do. San Miguel sits outside of the California bite, unprotected and fully exposed to the unpredictable power of the Pacific Northwest. The island is battered with regularity by strong wind and massive waves.

San Miguel is also located very close to Point Conception – the scientifically designated North/South Faunal divide. Your chances of seeing a greater diversity of animals here are much better then anywhere else in Northern or Southern California. Wolf eels (wolf fish) Giant Ling Cod, massive Rock Fish, Gunnels, Pricklebacks, Nudibranchs, Warbonnet’s and much more can all be found in the waters surrounding Miguel. The remoteness of the island and the stories about the “resident landlord” as told by urchin divers add to the mystique that surrounds Miguel.

… Completing our fourth dive for the day, we relax and settle in for a while. Anticipating a great dinner as we head east towards our night dive spot at the east end of Miguel.

The crew sets us up on the east tip of Miguel for our night dive. I’m excited as I have never made a night dive at any of the Northern Channel Islands, and once again we are not disappointed. Tiny Pricklebacks and an Aeolidia papillosa – another rarely seen Nudibranch – were waiting for us below. The visibility on the night dive was incredible, the cast of the light beams glancing off of the distant kelp really had my heart racing.

… After three failed attempts to dive Miguel I must say, I am extremely happy we made it this time. The marine life was everything I had expected it to be and more – I just hope it doesn’t take me another three attempts to make it back. We made nine dives in two days, everyone ate like royalty and we were treated to some of the finest California diving there is. Needless to say, the macro work the wide angle opportunities here are incredible as well.
Read the entire article by Mike Bartick at CaliforniaDiver.com