For all of the wonderful things that Santa Barbara has to offer, if one does not find a way to take advantage of our proximity to the coast, in my opinion a very important part of the Santa Barbara experience is lost. Whether it be surfing, diving, or just watching the sunset with toes in the sand, Santa Barbara has some of the best opportunities to enjoy water sports and activities anywhere in the world. The sheer variety of water sports and activities in the Santa Barbara area made it impossible to write only a single article. Instead I chose to split it into two, with this article focusing on activities that require a more adventurous spirit to participate in and a whole separate article of activities for those who are looking to enjoy the water in a more leisurely way. Even with two articles, I have not even come close to including everything; however, the hyper-links below are a great place to start.
Surfing is ingrained in our Santa Barbara heritage. Our area has produced world champion surfers like Rolf Aurness, Tom Curren, and Bobby Martinez as well as surfboard shapers Reynolds Yater and Al Merrick who are widely recognized as among the surf industry leaders in surfboard design. More important than the men who ride them are the waves themselves. Some spots like Rincon are world famous while others are well-kept secrets, (and will remain so). Regardless of whether the spot is famous or off-the-radar, it is an undeniable fact that Santa Barbara County contains some of the best waves in the country. For those who are just learning to surf, spots such as Ledbetter Beach and Campus Point usually have wave conditions that are perfect for learning. Fledgling bodysurfers and boogie boarders might prefer the waves of Arroyo Burro Beach, as for the most part, its waves break over a sand bottom and therefore more user-friendly. For those looking to rent or buy surfing equipment, head to The Beach House or Channel Islands Surfboards in Santa Barbara or to Surf Country located in Goleta.
The Santa Barbara Channel is also host to many wonderful diving opportunities with the most spectacular occurring in the waters just off of the Channel Islands. The giant kelp forests provide a unique marine eco-system that is home to hundreds of species of fish, as well as sharks, rays and marine mammals such as sea lions, seals and whales. For the diver who doesn’t want to spend the time and money that it takes to get to the islands there are plenty of local dives that are much more easily accessible. The reef systems offshore of Coal Oil Point and Leadbetter Beach offer up a similar diving experience to those found on the Channel Islands but with much easier access. For those divers in need of equipment, tour information, or certification classes check out the Anacapa Dive Center located in downtown Santa Barbara.
Our local Santa Barbara waters are some of the most user-friendly and accessible in the entire world. Surfing, diving, or just a simple swim is all right at our fingertips for us to enjoy. Many might find our waters a little on the cool side, however with a sense of adventure, (and a good wetsuit) one of the best aspects of our area is there for our enjoyment.