I can start with the customer service I received prior to booking. I called to ask a dozen questions and was met with lots of patience. I enjoyed every part of this day. I don't think there was anything else I could have asked for. Thanks read more

They take good care of you and always have the best intel for best viz! Hot tub and warm showers after a full meal sweeten the deal. read more

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My husband and I have taken Spectre dive boat out to the Channel Islands for scuba diving 6-7 times now. It's always a great trip. We typically drive down and stay in Venture to spend 3 days in a row diving with Cal Boat Diving / The Spectre. The safety and dive briefings are comprehensive and helpful. Crew is very friendly, professional, and helpful. I've never felt unsafe with this boat and crew, and have never felt unprepared for any of the dives. The briefings are robust and I appreciate that. Breakfast and lunch are served and are tasty. The hot tub is nice for winter diving where you want to warm up after diving. We love this boat and crew and highly recommend it! read more

I absolutely love coming out on the Spectre! Escape LA for the day. Dive into nature and get a chance to admire our bountiful coastal marine ecosystems from above and below. Exploring golden kelp forests with shimmering green eel grass in the shallows and catching glimpses of curious harbor seals or diving deeper into these rocky and sandy sites and finding so much more. Bring your fishing licenses and a bag and a spear and catch some of what's in season if that's your fancy. The whole experience is fun, well coordinated and easy to arrange. Sometimes I rent a full kit instead of lugging my own gear back and forth and their equipment is always reliable and easy to set up. The captain and crew freakin' rock. Ted in the main office is always helpful -whether you're booking over the phone or if you forgot some gear on the boat (I have left gear/clothing on the boat once or twice), Ted makes trouble shooting a breeze. Highly recommend. read more

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Very highly recommend these guys and would absolutely dive with them again. I got my PADI certification almost a year ago and was looking for an affordable dive that would keep me in practice and perhaps have some guidance since I wasn't fully confident yet. A friend suggested the Spectre boat dive in Channel Islands and I'm so glad I took her advice. Myself and 3 friends booked a trip. The price was reasonable and included full meals on the boat which had a legit bathroom and even a small hot tub to warm up between dives. We embarked for the Channel Islands from Ventura at 7am. Breakfast on the way there with coffee and snacks all day. Upon arrival, they scouted the spot with the best visibility, filled our tanks, and off we went. At each spot we stopped, which were 3 total, they gave us an overview of the area, which direction they recommended going in, how the current was, and how long we had before we should be back on the boat. Each time, there was someone at the back of the boat to hand us our fins and take them from us when we came back on board. They kept watch to make sure everyone was good, and the day was very flexible. You could be first off the boat and last on if you wanted to, skip a dive completely, if you wanted to, we never felt rushed or pressured. Plus, the dive masters were very helpful. If we had any questions or asked for recommendations, they were there. They even helped me when my mask was majorly fogging on the last dive, worked their magic, and cleaned my mask so I was able to enjoy it. Rentals were also super easy. I chose to rent my BCD and wetsuit from other company, as a I had a promotional credit. But I rented my weights and tank from these guys. All of their rentals are loaded on and off the boat for you, so all you have to do is show up. I even added my tank rental a few days before because I thought I'd be borrowing a friend's and that was no problem. Did I mention, midday, you also get a full lunch, and you're greeted from your final dive with dessert and a cash bar for the boat ride home! read more

One of the best dive boat experiences I've ever had. That was less due to the diving (the visibility on this day was kind of murky, and it was really cold... hey, it's April!), but the crew was so fantastic that it didn't matter. Alina, our Divemaster, was so patient and communicative, and she was happy to share her deep knowledge of diving if you asked her. Same goes for Eli, one of the deckhands. The rest of the crew--the other deckhand, the cook, and the captain--were all top-notch. My wife and I have found our new go-to dive boat. read more

Simply the best dive boat in Southern California. The crew is amazing and the captain always finds great dive spots. What an enjoyable day. read more

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Great boat with lots of personal space. Crew was great and very helpful. See you again soon!

The Spectre crew always delivers great diving and attention to it's customers. Nate (THE CAPTAIN) will always search out the best spots for all levels of divers. read more

Staff is knowledgeable and very helpful. Food is plentiful and tasty. Boat facilities and amenities are wonderful (jacuzzi, fresh hot and cold water showers). I bring my camera and the large fresh water camera rinse tank at the back of the boat is a big plus. Dive masters are attentive and ready to jump for a rescue if needed. Captain does the work to get the boat on the right dive sites! read more

Capt Nate knows the islands and manages to find the best dive spots. I had low expectations due to weather but the sites were great. Great crew and food. read more

Cal Boat Diving - Snorkeling Near Me - Ventura, California

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I have been diving since 1989 and have completed hundreds of dives all over the world, so when I tell you this outfit is world class, I know what I'm taking about. The staff is kind, patient, knowledgeable, and always professional. They will do their best to accommodate any request. When I asked if they could switch our rented tanks to DIN, they didn't hesitate, even though it meant more work for them. They could have easily tossed yoke adapters onto our tanks and made it our problem, but they didn't. Little stuff like that is what takes an experience to the next level. And make no mistake, this crew is next level. The food is delicious. The set up of the boat is great. The high giant stride off the side is a fantastic way to start a dive (you can use a ladder if you prefer). The captain handles the vessel with nearly paranormal dexterity. Criticism... well, I would prefer a bit more time to dive. They keep a pretty tight schedule, only allowing an hour per dive. I was coming up with well over 1200psi on each dive (which we old schoolers consider a sin ). But most people won't care about that. And honestly, since I was guiding a couple of inexperienced divers who were ripping through tanks like they were running from something, it didn't matter, anyway. One more head on the boat would help cut down on wait times, but it was never more than a few minutes. Other than those two minor details, it was perfect. This is an experience I would recommend to any diver of any level. And I will be back on board the next chance I get. Oh, and diving the Channel Islands should be on every diver's destination list. It is extraordinary. read more

My 14 year-old son and I did a trip on the Spectre dive boat yesterday, and it was a wonderful experience! It was my first time diving in California, and I couldn't believe how incredible it was to explore the kelp forests. All three dive sites were outstanding, and we felt really well taken care of on the boat. Our rental equipment was delivered directly to our dive stations on the boat, and a divemaster helped us set everything up properly to ensure our safety. The food on the boat was all freshly cooked and yummy, with unlimited snacks and drinks available all day. And the hot tub on the boat was such a nice bonus; they even delivered us ice cream sundaes with freshly baked and still-warm brownies to eat while we soaked in the hot tub after completing the final dive. All of the staff were friendly and helpful. I would definitely dive with them again. read more

Another great day! Nate and his staff are kind, helpful, and hardworking. Food is consistent and plentiful. I enjoy Nate's site briefings. He's explicit and generous in his knowledge of the area. Definitely our go-to for California diving! read more

The Spectre is a great diving operation. The crew is amazing, the accommodations comfortable and the dive experience diverse enough to please all levels. Definitely, the best team in SB/Ventura/Oxnard/North LA area. read more

First time on Spectre and didn't know what to expect. We got hot breakfast and lunch, hot tub, hot freshwater showers and great diving. Captain & all the crew were friendly, engaged and knowledgeable. Will definitely dive with them again. read more

I used Cal Boat Diving and Spectre this past weekend for 1 day of diving in the Channel Islands, after my dive instructor recommended them. This trip exceeded my expectations! We parked in the harbor lot marked "Whale Lot" and walked along a sidewalk next to a green grassy area to the Dock D, and used 1 of Spectre's multiple carts to carry our gear to the boat. The folks on the boat helped us unload our gear and asked us to sign in with the dive master. All the employees were very nice! We took off and made our way to the islands. I didn't realize that trips back and forth from the harbor to the islands would be over an hour, but there was ample time to prepare all our gear and enjoy the breakfast and coffee provided. They took us to the south side and then east side of the Santa Cruz island, and found good spots for us to dive. They were helpful in getting us off and on the boat and refilling our tanks between dives. We did 3 dives total. It was amazing! I would highly recommend them and plan to use their services again the next time I am diving the Channel Islands. read more

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Professional crew Great food ( tri-tip mmm) Well organized Captain gave thorough explanations of the dive sites read more

Our first time on this dive boat will not be our last. Right off the bat, super helpful loading our gear and directing us to our spot for the day. The briefings answered all our questions being first-time guests. The included breakfast sandwiches, BBQ lunch, and post dive brownie Sundays were a welcome treat. FYI, you do not have to use the giant leap to get into the water. I chose to go off of the rear deck due to recently recovering from an injury. You walk down the ladder, and they hand you your fins. Most also chose the entry. The crew is also very helpful to get you out of the water and with tank refills. We will be back and are already planning our next dive. read more

Great crew Fantastic food Prompt Helpful and friendly Fair pricing Good dive sites Great boat read more

This was hands down one of the best dive experiences I've ever had!! Boat was great, facilities were clean, rented gear was in good shape, crew were incredible, dive briefings were unbelievably detailed and informative, lunch on board was PHENOMENAL (freshly barbecued chicken with rice with salad). We did 3 dives during our day, one more than other local offers. Instructions for parking and pre-dive prep were very helpful, I wouldn't have found the correct dock as quickly without them. I'm a relatively inexperienced diver, I don't have my own equipment, and at no point did I ever struggle or feel like the crew weren't happy to help me double check my rented gear, test my connections and tank before diving in, and even had someone in the water to help folks get their fins off and get back into the boat after each dive. I cannot stress enough how absolutely wonderful this experience was for me, from top to bottom!! Thank you to the crew of the Spectre, y'all were amazing!! read more

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Generally had a great time. The captain took us to cool sites and gave good briefings. However, I do have food allergies and I called in advance to assure that I would be able to eat on board. The guy who answered the phone very confidently told me just to show up and tell the cook about my allergies. I did so, but upon arriving, the cook had already almost finished breakfast and was very annoyed at me for asking her for accommodations. She also did not have any understanding of what cross contamination meant. She was rude to me as well as to the vegetarians on board for asking specific things of her. I was mostly upset that she did not have any understanding of how to accommodate food needs. I do understand that it was not her fault the guy on the phone did not tell me that I needed to call the day before my trip to let them know what I needed for food. The dive boat should add a dietary restrictions page to their booking information. Another in my party had issues with the rental gear fitting and the dive masters on board did not seem interested in getting him better fitting gear. He dive with a suit too big and booties too small and was very cold. I did still have a good experience and I did not end up getting sick from the food. If you bring your own gear and do not have allergies then you will have no issues and the trip would be awesome. read more

Yesterday was my second time aboard The Spectre. And if there was a second time, the first must have made a good impression, right? I cannot speak about scuba-related services or provisions, as I am a freediver. But after two freediving trips I can easily say that the boat, crew, facilities, locations, food and beverage make for a great package experience. I intend to be on The Spectre at least once every year. (Tried to upload pictures but Yelp isn't accepting my JPGs.) read more

Had a great time yesterday on a 3-dive shared charter. I came with a dive buddy but there were plenty of people that came alone and were paired up in the boat. We adopted a third and enjoyed the company. Some of the singles had done several dives with the Spectre so I'd say the repeat business is a testament to the good time the crew provide. I actually had a few equipment issues and the crew were well equipped to get me sorted and into the water (thanks Danny!). Experience differences due to Covid: -The biggest difference was that the boat was only at about 1/3 it's capacity. Imo this was a huge plus since everyone had plenty of room to gear up, and extra cubby space to keep dry things dry. -no hot food. There was still coffee, tea and hot water to warm up a bit between dives. -hot tub not on. Would've been a great amenity especially diving in February when it's hard to warm up between dives -masks. The crew was masked up the whole time. Customers were pretty respectful of the rule, but tbh you're always either gearing up, gearing down, or eating between dives. -interior areas access restricted. Customers supposed to stay outside My only recommendation would be that they put a link to diving directions in their confirmation and reminder emails. It's on the website but I had to dig for it. Overall it was a stellar experience on and off the boat, and I'll probably be back! read more

Cal Boat Diving - Beautiful day for a winter dive off the Spectre! - Snorkeling Near Me - Ventura, California

The dive over at Anacapa was great we were all loaded early for the trip so they just took off early to get over to the island. I broke my second stage reg on the trip and they took the effort to find me one of theirs they had hanging around and I was able to complete the last two dives using their 2nd stage at no extra costs so that was GREAT. The dive spots had good viz and saw tons of lobsters and got to dive with a seal at one stop and a sea lion at the other. read more

Cal Boat Diving - Playing with a sea lion, we had a few minutes together down about 25 feet - Snorkeling Near Me - Ventura, California

Amazing teams who take care of everyone. The food is delicious and drink too, I recommend strongly this experience. read more

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Best day ever! Great staff, great food, awesome company. Will was the best DM ever. His briefing and attention to detail made us feel special! read more

Best dive charter in SoCal. Enjoyed diving from the Spectre boat. Delicious food and great dive briefing. Enjoyed the hot tub after the dive as well. read more

Cal Boat Diving - Snorkeling Near Me - Ventura, California

My son was booked on the Spectre for his open water certification dive. I was going to ride along, then saw you can join as a snorkeler/freediver on any dive - sign me up! The friendly crew and service was top notch throughout. Worth the price just for the food! Breakfast sandwiches, BBQ tri tip and chicken, fresh brownie ice cream sundaes, snacks and drinks throughout the day. What a fantastic time we had, and given the depths (backside of Anacapa) ranged from 15ft near shore to around 40ft, plenty to see if you are a snorkeler/freediver at any level. The captain and crew were amazing, helping people with their gear, fixing problems, offering tips and advice and making sure everyone was safe; there is even a hot tub and hot showers on board. Highly recommended if you are any kind of diver or snorkeler, or an interested observer looking to get a closer look at our areas most cherished natural park. read more

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First time on a diving boat after getting certified and it was so much fun. Team was so helpful, professional and nice. We got unforgettable memories. read more

We went diving on the Spectre dive boat two days in a row in November, with both days spent diving the Anacapa Islands. The first day was a Friday, and the boat was only half full. They have good food, a hot tub, and lots of food! Diving from the boat is easy, and you can nap in a berth if you get on board early and reserve one. Unfortunately, while they used to allow out-of-town divers to spend the night before the dive on board, this is no longer possible in the wake of the Conception fire. The second day was a Saturday, and the boat was full, with something like 33 divers, including a lot of young students. The diving was great, and they allowed experienced divers to go out on their own. Dive briefings were great! We left much of our gear on the board on the night between the two dive days. Overall, excellent boat crew, good food, and convenient boat! The rest rooms that are open in the early morning are a 3-minute walk from the dock. read more

The greatest captain , greatest crew and the best day ever !!!!!!! Oh and best food , spectre chicken read more

Had a great 3 dive trip yesterday aboard the Spectre out of Ventura harbor. Local Ventura diver but it was my first time out on this boat and I will be back. Great boat layout, friendly and helpful crew. Realized halfway through the crossing that I had forgot my dive booties. Crew kindly lent me a pair. Covid protocol was strictly followed and made us feel very comfortable. A bit of a hassle to gear up with a medical mask on, but small price to pay to be able to dive. Captain did amazing job on the dive site selection, dive briefings and anchoring. Was able to hunt lobster with no issues,make sure to bring your fishing license and lobster report card. Looking at the calendar now to get another trip in while the water is still "warm". read more

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Great day of diving on the Spectre Dive boat! This my daughters (24yo) and my first non-guided dive since getting certified five months ago and we were a bit nervous, not knowing if we would remember everything or even how to find the boat :). But the crew was great, they explained each of the three locations clearly and with great detail - where to go, what you'll see, what to expect, and how to to navigate each location. And it was just as they said. We knew what to expect and where we should go and it worked out great - we had a blast - and can't wait to go again. Plus, to have all of our dive rental gear set up at our station, ready to go, and to just leave it there at the end of the day was wonderful. The food and drink were yummy and plentiful, crew was friendly and helpful, and the locations off of Anacapa where stunning! read more

Great crew , very professional, friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend using them for a dive.

I've been on the Spectre twice (when I first got certified and this past weekend) and both times were phenomenal! The captain and crew are spectacular, and truly go above and beyond with helping you have the most enjoyable dive experience. I booked a one day (weekday Thursday) dive online for $125 and the Basic Scuba Package (aluminum tank, weights, 7mm wetsuit and hood, BCD, and regulator) for $50. With taxes and fees, everything came out to $185.50. A great deal, especially since the rental gear gets delivered to the boat and you don't have to worry about returning it to a dive shop afterwards! My Thursday dive was cancelled a few days before the trip because hardly anyone had signed up. Cal Boat Diving was super accommodating and offered to reschedule for Friday or Sunday at the weekday rate. We opted for Sunday and boarded the boat Saturday evening. Only a few other divers stayed overnight this trip, which left us with lots of bunk options down below. Each bunk has a pillow and surprisingly soft blanket. We found our dive stations on deck with our rental tanks and weights labled with our names. The rest of our gear was delivered the next morning, and everything fit perfectly! The boat departs at 7am and takes about an hour to get to Anacapa and another 20-30 minutes to get to Santa Cruz Island. Unfortunately, where you end up depends on the conditions and you don't know until the morning of. I've been to both islands with the Spectre and they're both great, but I definitely prefer Anacapa because there's a lot more life to see underwater. There are 3 dives each day, with 2 in the morning, followed by lunch, then the last dive. Before each dive, the captain gives a site briefing and tells you where the best spots are to explore, the direction of the current, etc. The crew was super nice and helped us every step of the way from setting up our gear, putting everything on, and climbing back onboard. The captain even helped us with our gear at one point! What the heck! Truly a wonderful crew and they always make you feel so comfortable! Don't forget to tip them at the end of the day! Breakfast, lunch, and endless snacks are provided for meat eaters and vegetarians. But the true star of the show is the brownie sundae. Yum-a-lish!! If you're somehow still reading this, stop and go book a trip with the Spectre! As Captain Nate says, "Let's go diving!" read more

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Divers can always count on Captain Nathan to get them to the best possible dive conditions on any given day. Conditions were not optimal on Thursday, September 15, with higher than desired winds and strong currents, but that's what mother nature serves up sometimes. Nathan is always willing to burn the fuel and take the time to seek out the best diving available on days like this, so he diverted from Anacapa Island to Santa Cruz Island where he was able to put us in some sheltered areas where we found safe anchorage and current that we could dive in. Nathan's expertise and the professionalism of the Spectre crew are why I have been diving from Spectre since i was certified in 1986. I'd recommend her to anybody looking for the best day of diving available. read more

Spectre is a really great boat and crew. knowledgeable, friendly, laid-back, and professional folks who will provide a fun day of diving. Great trips out to Santa Cruz and Anacapa, very helpful dive briefings, good variety of sites and things to see. The trip tip and grilled chicken lunch mains are legit too! They also provide high quality rental gear for those who want to just show up and dive. Have been out 3 times and definitely plan on going back for more in the future. read more

I had such a great time in this dive trip run by a super fabulous crew!! They give you very nice quality and freshly made breakfast & lunch on the boat and offer snacks, beers and soda drinks through out the whole trip!! I love that they also have a hot tub for you to warm up once you finish each dive! And the whole trip has 3 dives total! Never had a great boat dive experience like this! Plus the value/cost is amazingly reasonable!! I'm bringing my boyfriend with me next time! Woo hoo! Can't wait! read more

Cal Boat Diving - Before the first dive - Snorkeling Near Me - Ventura, California

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Trip #2 Staff is beyond amazing!! I had a quick connect failure. Matt, Nate and my husband worked together with parts they had onboard to make repairs. I didn't miss a dive! Different cook this trip. His tri trip was even better than the last trip. The salad making options are fantastic. There was plenty of very thick brownies for dessert. Just heavenly!! My only constructive criticism remains having non carbonated drinks on board. They had Lipton tea and it was very popular. I hope they will add more! We will return for more diving next month. My solution will be to through some non carbonated drinks into my dive bag. Thank you Spectre crew for another great day!! read more