September

Warm weather, calm winds and seas are common in the early fall months. This is the best time of year for snorkeling, kayaking, and diving. Underwater visibility can reach 100 feet.
Jellies of all kinds are abundant in California coastal waters as the oceanic season begins and upwelling winds start to relax (August through November).

Red-Necked Phalaropes (Phalaropus lobatus) can be seen in the Santa Barbara Channel in the spring (April and May) and fall (August through October).

Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus), Fin Whales (Balaenoptera physalus), and Sei Whales (Balaenoptera borealis) can be observed in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary feeding on krill from the nutrient rich, upwelled water (late-May through September).

Pink-Footed Shearwaters (Puffinus creatopus) and Sooty Shearwaters (Puffinus griseus) visit the Santa Barbara Channel from the southern hemisphere (May through October).

Ashy Storm-Petrels (Oceanodroma homochroa) and Black Storm-Petrels (Oceanodroma melania) visit the Santa Barbara Channel (mid-May to mid-October).