Dive Review of M/V Vision - Channel Islands Expeditions in
The Continental USA/Channel Islands California

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M/V Vision - Channel Islands Expeditions: "Northern Channel Islands onboard the M/V Vision out of Santa Barabra", Oct, 2021, by Peter Neubauer, CA, US ( Sr. Reviewer 11 reports with 7 Helpful votes). Report 11799 has 1 Helpful vote.
Photos Submitted with this Report Click on an image to see an enlarged version and captions
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity
Dive Operation		Shore Diving	N/A
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	This review is for a three night Northern Channel Island trip to San Miguel, Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz Islands. The boat left from Santa Barbara harbor. The website mentions that parking validation is available but it was NOT when I did the trip so be prepared to pay for parking. My 3 night parking cost me a little over $40. Also, make sure if nitrox is free or if they are going to charge for it. On my trip they were going to charge but then relented since our charter was promised free nitrox. So I would clarify that. The website needs to be updated. There was also some confusion regarding weights. I needed two 3 pounders and they were going to charge me to rent weights which I thought was also included but ended up using a couple of weights from a follow diver rather than renting weight from the dive shop which would have cost me $30. Some dive boats in California will provide free tanks and weights and some don't. The M/V Vision does not so bring your own gear or rent from the shop next to the boat. The M/V Vision is the sister dive boat to the Conception which tragically caught fire a couple of years ago. The boat is under new ownership and has been upgraded with all new electrical, emergency exits, safety equipment and a fire safe cabinet for charging electrical equipment. On my trip there was a crew member standing watch overnight as per Coast Guard regulations. The safety briefing before we left the harbor was very through everyone had to don life vests and use the closest emergency exit as a drill. Fire/smoke detectors were tested while we watched. When I spoke with the captain he mentioned it seems like every Coast Guard inspector on the West Coast has been onboard evaluating and inspecting the boat since it was built and laid out like the Conception. I would imagine it helped with the investigation and made the Vision all the more safe. I was on a private charter and everyone was vaccinated so no masks or face coverings were worn. Crew or passengers. I felt safe at the time but as more variants are discovered that may change. The diving was fun and the crew was great. These islands are very exposed to weather and rough ocean conditions so it's typically a 50/50 chance you get to dive the outer most sites. We got lucky and did some great dives but at times there was a bit of surge and strong currents. Not a good trip for newer or inexperienced divers. I wore a drysuit for the extra comfort especially when doing multiple temperate water dives in a day. Night diving was also available and two lights were required a primary and backup. A short video of my trip: [youtube.com link]
Websites	M/V Vision - Channel Islands Expeditions
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	Over 1000 dives
Where else diving	Palau, Red Sea, Fiji, Maldives, BVI, Cayman Islands - Grand, Brac and Little, Cozumel, Tulum, Honduras, Florida Keys, Mexico - Sea of Cortez and Pacific, All the California Channel Islands, Hawaii, Bahamas, Okinawa Japan and lots of San Diego - So Cal diving !!!
Closest Airport		Getting There	I drove up from San Diego. LAX is not far from Santa Barbara and there are small airports nearby.
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny, windy, cloudy	Seas	calm, choppy, surge, currents
Water Temp	58-62°F / 14-17°C	Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility	15-30 Ft/ 5-9 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	No restrictions.
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	yes
What I Saw
Sharks	None	Mantas	None
Dolphins	None	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	None	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals	N/A	Tropical Fish	N/A
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics	N/A
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	A fire safe cabinet for charging equipment was available. Most cameras were setup and stored in the rear of the galley. Fresh water rinse buckets for cameras only.

Report currently has 1 Helpful vote

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Dive Review of M/V Vision - Channel Islands Expeditions in The Continental USA/Channel Islands California

M/V Vision - Channel Islands Expeditions: "Northern Channel Islands onboard the M/V Vision out of Santa Barabra", Oct, 2021,

Photos Submitted with this Report

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of M/V Vision - Channel Islands Expeditions in
The Continental USA/Channel Islands California