About Truth Aquatics
The Truth Aquatics liveaboard fleet, moored in beautiful Santa Barbara, California, caters to divers or ocean enthusiasts seeking a stress-free getaway. From those with an interest in lobster diving, underwater cinematography, or hiking, guests aboard Truth Aquatics are wonderfully diverse.
Scuba diving the Channel Islands is not the only activity to enjoy. There’s also ocean kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, island hiking, whale watching, sunbathing and fishing. See our calendar for the different types of trips scheduled. Experience them all, or just a few, the choice is yours, and if you consider eating an activity to enjoy then you won’t be disappointed. The Galley crew serves up some of the best meals you will find anywhere! Truth Aquatics well trained and knowledgeable crew are committed to making your trip an enjoyable one.
Unlike many dive operations along the California coast, the Truth Aquatics fleet has been custom designed specifically for diving. Most other dive operations are comprised of vessels that have been converted from some previous use.
Each Truth Aquatics vessel displays the thought made in the design, layout, and amenities. In 1998 Truth Aquatics began working with the Channel Islands National Park to provide hiking trips and it was then that it was discovered how well the boats worked for this use. For detailed information about the Truth Aquatics dive boats, please see Fleet section of the site.
For over three decades, Truth Aquatics has been providing the best in scuba diving adventures in and around the Channel Islands National Park and Marine Sanctuary.
The next time you consider getting away for a few days of rest and relaxation, think about a liveaboard dive, or hike vacation to the Channel Islands. An alternative to the floating hotel-like atmosphere of cruise ships, this type of cruising offers a more intimate communion with the ocean and its creatures.
Big Sur Coast
Occasionally Truth Aquatics schedules liveaboard dive trips to the Big Sur Coast. This trip is for the adventurous scuba diver who is mentally and physically prepared to explore this untouched diving wonder. Seas can be big and rough or flat as a pancake; however every year has yielded yet another new spot that continues to impress the most discriminating diver. If you are willing to take a chance with Mother Nature, then you can be one of the lucky divers to find a new and exciting dive location to put into the log book.
Diving:
Unlike other dive trips with Truth Aquatics this one departs from the sleepy fishing town of Morro Bay. The boat departs at 3 AM, and after some traveling divers wake up to a view of the pristine Santa Lucia Mountains with large cliff faces plunging into the blue pacific waters. This coastline is unlike any scene at the offshore Channel Islands. Coastal Redwoods, Santa Lucia Fir, Monterey Pine, and broad-leaved trees such as the Tanoak, Coast Live Oak, and California Bay Laurel are scattered along the mountain ridges. Jagged rocks lie off the coast just waiting to be dove and explored.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) nautical charts of this area are not detailed so metering the bottom with the onboard fathometer can result in new dive spots that have never been explored. Sights like the Schmeider Bank, Deep Plaskett, or the Haystacks have burned images in diver’s minds that will last a lifetime. Everyone attending this liveaboard dive trip needs to understand that particular spots are not always available for diving but that is also what makes this dive trip so special and forces us to discover new areas.
McWay Falls:
Located in Julia Pfeiffer State Park is the year round 80 foot McWay water fall. If weather is permitting on our Big Sur adventure we like to spend a minute and pull the boat into the cove to get some pictures of the magnificent water fall spilling onto the beach.
Partington Cove:
Sitting on the northern boundary of Julia Pfeiffer State Park is Partington Cove. More than 100 years ago homesteader John Partington built a tunnel that is six feet wide, eight feet high, and one hundred feet long through a formidable rock promontory. Built as a wagon trail for mules to haul lumber and tanning bark to ships waiting in the cove, you can still see the iron eyes secured in the rock faces used for the ships. On the point you can also see an old rusty stanchion that was used in the operation.
History:
Although there were two Mexican land grants awarded in the 1830’s, which included most of the area north of the Big Sur Valley, neither grantee settled on the land. It was little more than a century ago when the first permanent settlers arrived in Big Sur. In the following decades other hardy persons followed and staked out their homesteads.
The landmarks bear the names of many of those early settlers – Mt. Manuel, Pfeiffer Ridge, Post Summit, Cooper Point, Dani Ridge, Partington Cove and others. Some of their descendants still live in Big Sur.
At the turn of the century Big Sur sustained a larger population than it does today. A vigorous redwood lumbering industry provided livelihoods for many. The Old Coast Trail, which had been the only link between homesteads, was still little more than a wagon trail. Steamers transported heavy goods and supplies and harbored at Notley’s Landing, Partington Cove, and the mouth of the Little Sur River.
Navigation was treacherous, and in 1889, the Point Sur Lighthouse Station began sending its powerful beam to protect ships from the hazards of the coastline.
In 1937, the present highway was completed after eighteen years of construction at a considerable expense even with the aid of convict labor. The highway has since been declared California’s first Scenic Highway, and it provides a driving experience unsurpassed in natural beauty and scenic variety.
Electricity did not arrive in Big Sur until the early 1950’s, and it still does not extend the length of the coast or into the more remote mountainous areas.
Truth
The Truth is the original Truth Aquatics boat, and thanks to regular updates and maintenance it remains a world-class liveaboard diving and excursion vessel. Its reduced rates compared to the rest of the fleet make it an ideal entry level boat for smaller charters and groups of friends. The versatile Truth is equally at home running to San Miguel for spear fishing excursions as it is spending lazy days with kayakers at Painted Cave.
• Date launched: 1974
• Where built: Venice, California
• Length: 65’-0”(weather deck)
• Length overall (LOA): 69’-0”
• Beam: 22’-0”
• Bunk Capacity: 45 people maximum, 12 double bunks, 20 single bunks.
• Type of Bunk facility: Open berthing with pillows, blankets, curtains, and reading lights. Dressing room located in bunkroom.
• Mains engines: Detroit Diesel 8V92 Turbo DDEC @ 550 HP each
• Generators: Northern Lights MP55C, 55 KW, 220/110 Volt
• Cruising speed: 10 Knots
• Fuel Capacity: 1000 Gallons
• Range: 550 Nautical miles
• Electronics: 46 mile radar, VHF Radio, Single Sideband Radio, Video depth finder, Digital depth finder, GPS, • Offshore Navigator Computer Program, Underwater Recall, Dive tracker™
Heads: 2
• Showers: 3 (1 on deck, 2 below deck) , fresh hot water
• Water capacity: 1050 gallons
• Galley: Outfitted with all appliances necessary for food preparation and is waterproof for divers in wetsuits. Onboard built-in Barbeque.
• Galley seating: Cushioned and separate chairs.
• Sundeck: Large upper deck area provides seating and pads for sunbathing.
• Lifesaving: Rafts and Jackets for 49 passengers.
• First Aid: Full first aid kit, O2 bottles, Auto Defibulator, Certified Crew.
• Safety: EPIRB (emergency position indicating radio beacon)
Fixed CO2 engine room fire suppression system
Compressors: Ingersoll-Rand 10T-2@18 C.F.M.
Ingersoll-Rand 15T-4@21 C.F.M.
Capable of filling to 3500 P.S.I.
Nitrox
• Live Game Wells: Built in in transom for game storage.
• Gear Storage: Kayak rack for storing kayaks, paddleboards, and surfboards off the deck.
• Stern Compartment: Used for Wetsuit Drying Room, Game Freezing, Clothes Dryer
• Exits: Port, Starboard, and Bow exits for easy water entry. Mask rinsers at each exit.
• Chase Boat: 16 foot Caribe with 40 HP Honda 4-stroke outboard.
• Water Boarding: State of the art ramp at stern for easy boarding
• Dive area: All offshore Islands of Southern California. Primary destination of Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel Islands. Other Islands visited are Catalina, Santa Barbara, San Clemente, San Nicolas, and Cortez Banks.
• Cost: Individual prices vary depending on charteree. All multi day trips include all meals, snacks, beverages (excluding alcoholic), and air refills
• Owner: Glen Fritzler, Truth Aquatics Inc.
• Address: 301 West Cabrillo Blvd
Santa Barbara, CA 93101-3886 USA
Concepcion
Building upon the success of its predecessor, the Conception combines larger size and greater speed with the perfectly tailored design of the Truth. The larger size allows for a revised galley and bunk layout, including more double bunks, bathrooms, and showers. This makes the Conception ideal for larger charter groups or limited load trips, with enough comfort to easily bring the Southern Islands within reach.
• Date launched: 1981
• Where built: Long Beach, California
• Length: 75’-0”(weather deck)
• Length overall (LOA): 79’-0”
• Beam: 25’-0”
• Bunk Capacity: 46 people maximum, 13 double bunks, 20 single bunks.
• Type of Bunk facility: Open berthing with pillows, blankets, curtains, and reading lights. Dressing room located in bunkroom.
• Mains engines: Detroit Diesel 8V92 Turbo DDEC @ 550 HP each
• Generators: Northern Lights MP55C, 55 KW, 220/110 Volt
• Cruising speed: 10 Knots
• Fuel Capacity: 1600 Gallons
• Range: 880 Nautical miles
• Electronics: 46 mile radar, VHF Radio, Single Sideband Radio, Video depth finder, Digital depth finder, GPS, Offshore Navigator Computer Program, Underwater Recall, Dive tracker™
Heads: 3
• Showers: 4 (2 on deck, 2 below deck) , fresh hot water
• Water capacity: 1830 gallons
• Galley: Outfitted with all appliances necessary for food preparation and is waterproof for divers in wetsuits. Onboard built-in Bar-B-Que.
• Galley seating: Cushioned and separate chairs.
• Sundeck: Large upper deck area provides seating and pads for sunbathing.
• Lifesaving: Rafts and Jackets for 110 passengers
• First Aid: Full first aid kit, O2 bottles, and crew is certified annually in CPR and O2 administration.
• Safety: EPIRB (emergency position indicating radio beacon)
Fixed CO2 engine room fire suppression system
• Compressors: Ingersoll-Rand 10T-2@18 C.F.M.
Ingersoll-Rand 15T-4@21 C.F.M.
Capable of filling to 3500 P.S.I.
Nitrox
• Live Game Wells: Built in in transom for game storage.
• Gear Storage: Kayak rack for storing kayaks, paddleboards, and surfboards off the deck.
• Stern Compartment: Used for Wetsuit Drying Room, Game Freezing, Clothes Dryer
• Exits: Port, Starboard, and Bow exits for easy water entry. Mask rinsers at each exit.
• Chase Boat: 16 foot Caribe with 40 HP Honda 4-stroke outboard.
• Water Boarding: State of the art ramp at stern for easy boarding
• Dive area: All offshore Islands of Southern California. Primary destination of Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel Islands. Other Islands visited are Catalina, Santa Barbara, San Clemente, San Nicolas, and Cortez Banks.
• Cost: Individual prices vary depending on charteree. All multi day trips include all meals, snacks, beverages (excluding alcoholic), and air refills
• Owner: Glen Fritzler, Truth Aquatics Inc.
• Address: 301 West Cabrillo Blvd
Santa Barbara, CA 93101-3886 USA
Vision
As the flagship vessel of Truth Aquatics, the 80’ Vision is the largest, fastest, and most spacious boat in the liveaboard fleet. With numerous amenities and comforts, including a fresh water maker, spacious bunkroom, and increased fuel capacity, the Vision is ideal for long range or extended stay trips. From the Big Sur coastline to Cortez Banks, the Vision is prepared to embark on nearly any charter voyage you can dream of.
• Date launched: 1985
• Where built: Oxnard, California
• Length: 80’-0”(weather deck)
• Length overall (LOA): 88’-0”
• Beam: 26’-0”
• Bunk Capacity: 46 people maximum, 13 double bunks, 20 single bunks.
• Type of Bunk facility: Open berthing with pillows, blankets, curtains, and reading lights. Dressing room located in bunkroom.
• Mains engines: Detroit Diesel 60 Series @ 550 HP each
• Generators: Northern Lights MP55C, 55 KW, 220/110 Volt
Isusu 36 KW, 220/110 Volt
• Cruising speed: 10 Knots
• Fuel Capacity: 2000 Gallons
• Range: 1100 Nautical miles
• Electronics: 46 mile radar, VHF Radio, Single Sideband Radio, Video depth finder, Digital depth finder, GPS, Offshore Navigator Computer Program, Underwater Recall, Dive tracker™
Heads: 3
• Showers: 4 (2 on deck, 2 below deck) , fresh hot water
• Water capacity: 1830 gallons. 600 GPD water maker.
• Galley: Outfitted with all appliances necessary for food preparation and is waterproof for divers in wetsuits. Onboard built-in Barbeque.
• Galley seating: Cushioned and separate chairs.
• Sundeck: Large upper deck area provides seating and pads for sunbathing.
• Lifesaving: Rafts and Jackets for 110 passengers
• First Aid: Full first aid kit, O2 bottles, Auto Defibulator, Certified Crew.
• Safety: EPIRB (emergency position indicating radio beacon)
Fixed CO2 engine room fire suppression system
• Compressors: Ingersoll-Rand 10T-2@18 C.F.M.
Ingersoll-Rand 15T-4@21 C.F.M.
Capable of filling to 3500 P.S.I.
Nitrox
• Live Game Wells: Built in in transom for game storage.
• Gear Storage: Kayak rack for storing kayaks, paddleboards, and surfboards off the deck.
• Stern Compartment: Used for Wetsuit Drying Room, Game Freezing, Clothes Dryer
• Exits: Port, Starboard, and Bow exits for easy water entry. Mask rinsers at each exit.
• Chase Boat: 16 foot Caribe with 40 HP Honda 4-stroke outboard.
• Water Boarding: State of the art ramp at stern for easy boarding
• Dive area: All offshore Islands of Southern California. Primary destination of Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel Islands. Other Islands visited are Catalina, Santa Barbara, San Clemente, San Nicolas, and Cortez Banks.
• Cost: Individual prices vary depending on charteree. All multi day trips include all meals, snacks, beverages (excluding alcoholic), and air refills
• Owner: Glen Fritzler, Truth Aquatics Inc.
• Address: 301 West Cabrillo Blvd
Santa Barbara, CA 93101-3886 USA