Spectre Dive Boat Information
The Spectre dive boat and crew do a great job catering mainly to new divers and divers new to the area plus they are the only boat with their own gear rentals. The Spectre is typically full from Friday to Sunday with trips to Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands.
When Channel Islands Dive Adventures had the opportunity to charter the boat on weekdays we JUMPED at the chance. The last couple of years we have chartered it going to some cool spots with limited load trips of Advanced Divers only. These trips have worked out great for CIDA and the Spectre because everyone loves the extra room on the limited load trips plus the diving doesn’t get boring going to different and more advanced dive sites. Captain Nate and the crew love it as well.
Ted and Nate Cumming, Co-Owners
Captains Ted and Nathan Cumming are co-owners of the Spectre. Ted began running the boat in 1986 and along with his crew has made it one of the most popular and best run dive operations in California. They offer both scuba diving and snorkeling at Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands.
Captain Ted is a Ventura County native. He grew up roaming the docks in Port Hueneme landing his first job on a sport fishing boat at age 14. He was a licensed captain by 21 and recently renewed his license for the eleventh time for a total of 50 years as a captain. His son Nathan grew up on the Spectre. He was swimming in the Spectre hot tub before he was 5 and became a certified diver at age 11.
Not to be outdone by his dad, Nathan received his 100-ton captain’s license at age 20. He worked alongside Ted on weekends and summers becoming skilled in every aspect of the operation. Once licensed, he worked as second captain and ran the Spectre when Ted took time off.
In 2022 Nathan became a partner and co-owner of the Spectre as the family business continues to grow. Together he and his dad keep the Spectre on the cutting edge of California diving always finding ways to improve both the boat and the experience of the guest who come aboard.
The Spectre Dive Boat
The Spectre was built in 1970 in Louisiana to service offshore oil wells in the Gulf of Mexico and was originally named, the John Brown. All aluminum and measuring in at 85 feet, the Spectre is one of the largest and fastest dive boats in operation.
In 1985, A dive boat captain fond of James Bond movies leased the boat from the new owner, converting it to a dive boat and renamed it the Spectre after the villainous Bond organization. Compressors were installed, dive stations built, the galley and bunks were modified, and a swim step appeared on the stern.
In 1986, Ted took over The Spectre and moved it from Channel Islands harbor to Ventura Harbor where she has operated ever since. During the past 30 years, every aspect of the boat was remodeled, upgraded, or changed into what divers enjoy today. A hot tub and an on-deck shower room were added. New engines, generators, and compressors were installed. A sun deck was created above the cabin and bunks were upgraded. Every inch of the Spectre was designed and built for divers. And the crew continues to innovate and make improvements.
For trips on the Spectre, you will need to bring all your own gear and 1 tank. If you need gear rentals you can arrange them in advance through the boat or your local dive shop. For all the CIDA Spectre trips please check out our Dive Calendar and book your trip now.
Location and Directions for the Spectre
The Spectre is located at Dock D, slip 25, Ventura Harbor Village, CA. For more directions visit this page.