Underwater Island, Anacapa Island, CA.

Brittle stars cover a red sea fan.

Underwater island (also know as island reef) is one of those hidden gems at Anacapa. It lies at the southwest section of Anacapa, east of Coral reef, just offshore (south) from Channels. Often a dive boat will anchor at Channels, not telling the divers Underwater Island is a short swim away from shore. Currents can pick up out here, so divers should be careful if venturing away from the boat. Often the bow anchor of the boat will be lodged at underwater island.

Underwater island is a giant pinnacle rising from 60ft up to 20ft. The south and west edges of the pinnacle are covered with brittle stars. Cabezon, rockfish, black-eyed gobies, baby sheephead, lingcod, and zooanthid anemones populate these areas. Visibility can be 50ft at times, and black sea bass or yellowtail can swim by.

Combine the brittle stars with a rockfish, goby, or painted greenling for a great photo op. Baby sheephead populate the red sea fans, but can be very skittish when a camera gets near.