Ventura - Premier Visitors Guide 2007-2008 - (Page 27) Diving, Snorkeling & Sportfishing The Channel Islands are a world-renowned diving destination. Explore the breathtaking beauty and amazing richness of life in the underwater world of Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary. Several boats depart for single- and multi-day dive trips out of Ventura Harbor, including Peace (650-DIVE, www.peaceboat.com), Spectre (483-6612 or 866-225-3483), Explorer (646-0836, www.explorerdiveboat.com) and Raptor (650-7700). Ventura Dive & Sport (650-6500, www.venturadive.com) offers dive classes, excursions and equipment rentals and sales. If ocean sportfishing is more to your liking, contact Coroloma Sportfishing (649-3611, www.corolomasportfishing.com) to arrange day and summer twilight fishing excursions and charters. Calico bass, lingcod, whitefish, rockfish and barracuda swim the Channel, with halibut and sea bass plentiful around the islands. Islands (1691 Spinnaker Dr., 642-1393, www.islandpackers.com). Harborside Dining Ventura Harbor Village offers a host of choices for superb dining at the water’s edge. Andria’s Seafood (654-8228, www.andriasseafood.com), Spinnaker Seafood Broiler (658-6220), Le Petit Café & Bakery (642-1191, www.lepetitrestaurant.com) and the newly opened Brophy Bros. Restaurant and Clam Bar (639-0865) are just a sampling. Or go Mediterranean at The Greek at the Harbor (650-5350, www.greekventuraharbor.com), complete with belly dancers and a full menu of Greek specialties. Christy’s Deli (642-3116) serves breakfast all day and deli-style lunch. Fishermen’s Market At Ventura Harbor Village (www.venturaharborvillage.com), fresh catch-of-the-day is offered by local fishermen selling to the general public direct off the boat at Andria’s pier, with on-site fillet services Whale Watching Each year, from late December through March, California gray whales migrate through the Santa Barbara Channel just off the Ventura shore. This is prime whale-watching season and it’s an excursion the whole family will enjoy. Mid-June through September, giant blue and humpback whales feed in the channel between Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa islands. Boats depart from Ventura Harbor to see these gentle giants. And you can count on seeing more than whales in the channel, which teems with marine life. For scheduled excursions, contact Island Packers, celebrating 40 years of trips in and around the Channel CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: COURTESY HARBOR VILLAGE WATERCOLOR BY NORMAN KIRK, HILDA KILPATRICK, SAIL CHANNEL ISLANDS “A relaxed retreat from the resort crowds.” — Honolulu Advertiser Clockwise from left: Regional artists are on exhibit in galleries throughout the Village. The spectacular shoreline is popular with families. Charter boats and pleasure craft offer a chance to view migrating whales in the Channel. W W W. V E N T U R A - U S A . C O M 27 http://www.islandpackers.com http://www.islandpackers.com http://www.andriasseafood.com http://www.peaceboat.com http://www.lepetitrestaurant.com http://www.explorerdiveboat.com http://www.venturadive.com http://www.greekventuraharbor.com http://www.corolomasportfishing.com http://www.corolomasportfishing.com http://www.venturaharborvillage.com http://WWW.VENTURA-USA.COM
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