Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Gabrielle Canon in Channel Islands national park

The hidden underwater eden of ‘California’s Galapagos’, where seals and grizzly bear-sized bass reign

a seal swims through kelp
A harbor seal swims through the kelp forest at Anacapa Island in Channel Islands national park in California in 2019. Photograph: Douglas Klug/Getty Images

Just 14 miles (23km) off the southern California coast lies a vast underwater paradise.

Giant sea bass the size of grizzly bears and schools of sardines glide together through swirling strands of golden kelp, whose long stalks preside over a world exploding with life and color. Playful harbor seals dance into the depths of undulating pink, green and orange plants, alongside spiny crustaceans and vibrant sea stars that embrace the volcanic rock that slopes to the sandy seafloor.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.