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Map of The Rookery (Santa Barbara Island)
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IntermediateBoat entry

The Rookery (Santa Barbara Island)

California, United States
Open Water suggested3–12 m (10–40 ft) depthBoat entry5mm wetsuit typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

The Rookery (Santa Barbara Island) at a glance

The Rookery (Santa Barbara Island) is an intermediate boat dive site in California, United States with depths of 3–12.2 m (10–40 ft). Typically most favorable Aug · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Kelp bass (calico bass), Giant sea bass, and California sheephead. Recent reports put the water around 22°C (71°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Next window today· 8:00–19:00 · favorable · sunset 18:09

Forecast for this hour · 3:00 · run 4 h ago
1.0 m (3.1 ft)waves — about a meter expected (waves — about three feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 22°C · seasonal avg 19°C ( · Forecast 71°F · seasonal avg 66°F)

Site hazards: Surge in the shallows, territorial bull sea lions during breeding season, very remote open-ocean location

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Mon8:00–19:00 favorable

1.2 m waves · 15 kn wind (3.8 ft waves · 15 kn wind)

Tue8:00–19:00 favorable

1.4 m waves · 9 kn wind (4.5 ft waves · 9 kn wind)

Wed8:00–19:00 favorable

1.2 m waves · 3 kn wind (3.9 ft waves · 3 kn wind)

Thu8:00–19:00 favorable

1.1 m waves · 5 kn wind (3.5 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Fri8:00–19:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 4 kn wind (3.1 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

Sat8:00–19:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 4 kn wind (3.1 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

SunNot in the forecast yet

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wave and wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 6:44 · Sunrise 7:09 · Sunset 18:09 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 8.3 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 22:28 GMT-7

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near The Rookery (Santa Barbara Island)

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Kelp bass (calico bass), California sheephead, Garibaldi
Best time: Late summer and fall, when juvenile sea lions are most playful and seas calmest; visibility around 40 ft or better

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. January, 42% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (59°F), waves have typically been 1.9 m (6.3 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  2. February, 39% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 14°C (58°F), waves have typically been 2.0 m (6.4 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots
  3. March, 37% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 14°C (57°F), waves have typically been 2.0 m (6.5 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  4. April, 57% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (58°F), waves have typically been 1.6 m (5.4 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  5. May, 59% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 16°C (61°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (5.0 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  6. June, 73% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 18°C (65°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.7 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots
  7. July, 85% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 19°C (67°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.1 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots
  8. August, 87% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 20°C (68°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.2 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots, historically most favorable
  9. September, 80% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 20°C (67°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.2 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots
  10. October, 63% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 19°C (66°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (4.9 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots
  11. November, 57% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 17°C (62°F), waves have typically been 1.6 m (5.2 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots
  12. December, 55% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 16°C (61°F), waves have typically been 1.7 m (5.5 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots

August has typically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km (16 mi). Know one? Add it to the map.

Data updated June 2026

Site details

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.

boatreef

Surge in the shallows, territorial bull sea lions during breeding season, very remote open-ocean location

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