The Rookery (Santa Barbara Island)

Shallow boulder and rockpile site off the southeast side of remote Santa Barbara Island, the smallest of the Channel Islands and reachable only by long-range dive boat. The terrain itself is modest (10-40 ft, often surgy), but the site fronts one of California's largest California sea lion colonies, making it one of the best places anywhere to dive with swarms of playful sea lions. Portions of the island's waters fall within state marine reserves; check current MPA boundaries before taking game.