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San Nicholas, a.k.a. San Nick, is the most northwesterly of the four southern Channel Islands. Like its eastern neighbour, San Clemente Island, San Nick is a U.S. Navy owned and operated island. The waters surrounding the island are split into three zones that are controlled by the Navy. Most of our diving is done on the north and west sides of the island while the eastern side is generally off limits. The cool thing for us/you is that the sides that are generally accessible are outta sight and dynamite!!!!
Kelp city! Thick forests of giant kelp surround the entire island. Generally, where there is kelp, there is tons of life! But to to find the life you must start at the bottom. The bottom of the food chain that is! The water at San Nick is generally cooler than the other southern channel islands, due in part to its more northerly location. Plankton, the first step in the oceans food chain, thrives in the cool water. If the plankton are happy, then the rest of the food chain is happy! Marine mammals, fishes and invertebrates thrive in San Nick's nutrient rich environment. A diverse mixture of northern cold-water fish (Lingcod, China rockfish, olive rockfish, etc.), and southern warmer-water fish (yellowtail-jack family, bonito, etc.) intermingle in the island waters. Invertebrates ( sea fans, anemones, sea stars, abalone-fully protected, sponges, lobster, etc.) take full advantage of food supply. Playful sea lions, timid harbor seals and massive elephant seals are abundant at San Nick. They use the island to raise their young and to rest between hunting excursions into the ocean.
If photography is the objective of the trip, and the ocean is calm, we could venture offshore to the majestic spire Begg Rock. This awe inspiring pinnacle rises 300 feet from the ocean floor to the surface and is carpeted with invertebrate life! We target San Nicholas Island only on multiple day live-aboard trips. Due to the nature of the diving, this destination is recommended for divers with experience in kelp and adverse diving conditions.
If you're looking for an island where the cool north meets the warmer south. An island where all forms of life thrive in an extremely nutrient rich environment, then San Nicholas Island is for you!
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