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Hotels, dive operators, gear, and how to get here are on the Channel Islands location page.
Overview
San Miguel is the westernmost and most exposed of the Channel Islands, where the cold California Current slams into the coast and feeds dense giant kelp. Point Bennett on the western tip holds the largest pinniped haul out on the planet, with California and Steller sea lions, northern fur seals, harbor seals and elephant seals piled by the thousand. Drop into the kelp off Tyler Bight and curious young sea lions corkscrew through the golden canopy at arm's length. The classic dive is Wyckoff Ledge, a rock wall falling from 12 m to a sand floor near 27 m and crusted with strawberry anemones, nudibranchs, wolf eels and lingcod. Water hovers around 11 to 13 C and the seas are unforgiving, so the island only opens on calm days.
Briefing note
Part of Channel Islands National Park and National Marine Sanctuary; the island is owned by the US Navy and managed by the National Park Service. Going ashore needs a permit and a ranger escort, and Point Bennett is closed to protect breeding wildlife, so the diving is done from the boat offshore. Conditions are exposed with strong swell and current and the island is frequently weathered out, calmest from late summer into fall. Cold water calls for a 7mm wetsuit with hood and gloves or a drysuit. Never approach hauled out pinnipeds.
What you'll see
9 species curated- year-roundCalifornia sea lion
- year-roundSteller sea lion
- seasonalNorthern fur sealPeak: Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct
- year-roundHarbor seal
- year-roundNorthern elephant seal
- year-roundGiant kelp
- year-roundWolf eel
- year-roundLingcod
- year-roundCalifornia sheephead
Conditions
| Month | Water | Visibility | Current |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 11–13 °C | 9–15 m | strong |
| Feb | 11–12 °C | 9–15 m | strong |
| Mar | 10–12 °C | 6–12 m | strong |
| Apr | 10–12 °C | 6–12 m | strong |
| May | 11–13 °C | 6–12 m | moderate |
| Jun | 12–14 °C | 9–15 m | moderate |
| Jul | 13–15 °C | 12–18 m | moderate |
| Aug | 13–16 °C | 15–21 m | moderate |
| Sep | 14–16 °C | 15–24 m | moderate |
| Oct | 13–15 °C | 15–30 m | moderate |
| Nov | 13–14 °C | 12–24 m | moderate |
| Dec | 12–13 °C | 9–18 m | strong |
Season calendar
Peak season highlighted · current month outlined
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