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![]() The entire East side of Island is a State Marine Reserve (MPA)
The smallest of the eight Channel Islands (one square mile in area), it is one of the five included in the Channel Islands National Park and Marine Sanctuary. Another is Hidden Reef AKA Arch Reef, which breaks the surface in a moderate swell. It is nearly three-quarters of a mile directly west of Webster Point. The sandy bottom under the 'Arch' is 55 feet deep. The walls leading to it are home to purple hydrocoral, Corynactis anemones, lacy bryozoans, starfish, nudibranchs and various other colorful invertebrates! A crevice near the top of the arch is full of dozens of Spiny Lobster! Sutil Island is not much more than a large rock, 300 feet high, off the southwest side of Santa Barbara. Diving usually takes place off its southeast and northeast sides in a thick kelp forest. Depths here are shallow, usually less than 50 feet. Marine life is prolific with vast biodiversity. Elephant Seal Cove is between Webster (the island's westernmost area) and Arch Points (its northernmost area). Here, on a shallow, sandy bottom, seeing California Sea lions is almost guaranteed. They flip, turn somersaults, barrel roll and twist around you as you descend, then lie on the sand and watch you with large, liquid eyes. Groups of three or more will often come by to check you out. Shag Rock, half as tall as Sutil Island and considerably smaller in area, is also surrounded by kelp. Depths are shallow, less than 60 feet.
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