California Diving News: Dive Spot Santa Barbara Island -- Sea Lion Rookery

The Sea Lion Rookery

We are lucky, you and me. We live in a state with numerous world class dive sites off its shores. Some offer such great conditions, even snorkelers can enjoy them. Santa Barbara’s Sea Lion Rookery is such a site. The smallest of the eight Channel Islands, Santa Barbara is only 38 miles off the coast, about a four-hour trip via dive boat. Because it’s on the island’s southeastern shore, The Rookery is usually protected from the wind. Depths are shallow (20 - 35 ft.), even several hundred yards from shore, making this a great site for divers of all experience levels.

While Santa Barbara is a haul-out area for several species of pinnipeds, the most numerous are California Sea Lions. Females can be six to eight feet long and weigh 250 pounds; the males (bulls) can be nearly ten feet long and weigh 700.

Females and juveniles inhabit Santa Barbara Island year-round; males are only there during mating season, two or three months in the early summer. They make their presence known by swimming back and forth in front of their harems, barking continuously.

The sea lions at this site aren’t shy, seeming to relish encounters as much as we do. As a dive boat is anchoring, a contingent of eager juveniles will head out to greet it. Like the young of most species, they’re looking for a diversion. And who better to provide it than divers? Most of us are friendly and playful, though not nearly as graceful underwater.

These sea lions love to play chicken. They rush at you, turning away and blowing bubbles at the last possible minute.

A few years ago Howard Hall and his film crew set up shop in The Rookery, filming the activities for hours at a time. The sea lions appeared to enjoy having an audience. In a very short time they lost all fear of the cameras and cameramen. Besides swimming in front of the cameras constantly, they chewed on various pieces of equipment. It was immensely entertaining to watch. (Howard may have another take on that.)

I’ve photographed sea lions numerous times over a couple of decades. The photos I like best were taken while snorkeling. I used a Nikonos with 15mm lens and ISO 100 film, a shutter speed of 125 and available light.

Of course, photos can also be taken underwater. Sit on the bottom and shoot upward, toward the light. Sea lions don’t like strobes so use a fast shutter speed and available light.

Visit The Rookery now, because very soon the females will be pupping. Right afterward, they’ll mate. The birthing/mating process and the newborns will keep everyone too busy to play for a couple of months, but by October even the tiniest pups will be eager to join their older siblings as they seek the pleasure of our company.

Bonnie Cardone is a prolific writer authoring several articles for many dive publications. She is past editor or Skin Diver Magazine and recipient of the 1999 California Scuba Service Award.