This was easily one of my favorite dives ever. Our plan was to go out to the deep buoy follow the chain lines down and find the wreck down there. Which is exactly what we did. What we didn't account for was:
- Visibility reaching and staying upwards of 30 feet
- The most vivid colors we've ever seen from water and kelp
- A Swell Shark hiding underneath the wreck
- Near perfect bliss
Some dives you enjoy because your diving and you love diving. This dive was why I love diving.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Dive 69 - Casino Point - Catalina Island, CA
We found our way back to the swim platforms on this dive (after a little looking). Once we arrived things got awesome!
Specifically, we saw a Bat Ray. Good size, maybe 2 to 3 feet across; at a depth of about 60 feet. We began to follow him and after maybe 15 seconds of following he decided to leave. That's when I learned how fast Bat Rays are. It was like he kicked into some hyper gear going from a slow bat rat glide to problem 15 miles an hour in the blink of an eye. Truly amazing.
I was so excited Jenni could hear me cheering.
We found a group of Sea Hares hanging out and even got to watch one eat, pretty cool stuff.
But the Bay Ray was definitely the highlight, so awesome.
***Funny side note*** We actually were trying to dive off of a ramp near lovers cove for our first dive. It was a 'secret spot' that one of the guys at the chamber told us about. Well... It was a secret spot, a long time ago. Now a days, it's illegal.
So we went over there, got suited up, were ready to walk into the water and then the Harbor Patrol showed up and kicked us out. They were nice about it, but we were embarrassed and disappointed. We had such hopes for a second shore dive spot in Avalon. Oh well.
Specifically, we saw a Bat Ray. Good size, maybe 2 to 3 feet across; at a depth of about 60 feet. We began to follow him and after maybe 15 seconds of following he decided to leave. That's when I learned how fast Bat Rays are. It was like he kicked into some hyper gear going from a slow bat rat glide to problem 15 miles an hour in the blink of an eye. Truly amazing.
I was so excited Jenni could hear me cheering.
We found a group of Sea Hares hanging out and even got to watch one eat, pretty cool stuff.
But the Bay Ray was definitely the highlight, so awesome.
***Funny side note*** We actually were trying to dive off of a ramp near lovers cove for our first dive. It was a 'secret spot' that one of the guys at the chamber told us about. Well... It was a secret spot, a long time ago. Now a days, it's illegal.
So we went over there, got suited up, were ready to walk into the water and then the Harbor Patrol showed up and kicked us out. They were nice about it, but we were embarrassed and disappointed. We had such hopes for a second shore dive spot in Avalon. Oh well.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Dive 68 - Blue Cavern - Catalina Island, CA
Yet another site we have been wanting to go to. We have dove 'blue cavern' at the Aquarium of the Pacific, but never the real one. We were delighted to give it a try.
This dive was pretty uneventful until the end. In the last 15 minutes of the dive we found a huge Jelly, maybe 18 inches across and 2 feet long, not THAT could sting! Shortly after we saw that we headed over to the 'cavern' for which the site is named.
This was a delightful spot, visibility got to be untampered in the cavern. It was the first time I've been in water that looked almost like air. Very strange. I've heard this about caverns and I know this is a very mild version, but wow, it was awesome.
This dive was pretty uneventful until the end. In the last 15 minutes of the dive we found a huge Jelly, maybe 18 inches across and 2 feet long, not THAT could sting! Shortly after we saw that we headed over to the 'cavern' for which the site is named.
This was a delightful spot, visibility got to be untampered in the cavern. It was the first time I've been in water that looked almost like air. Very strange. I've heard this about caverns and I know this is a very mild version, but wow, it was awesome.
Dive 67 - Ship Rock - Catalina Island, CA
We've been wanting to do a dive hear for a while, ever since we dove Eagles Reef and they showed us the pinnacle that is Ship Rock. It's mainly for advanced divers and need at least decent conditions as the pinnacle is somewhat of a distance from the shore.
It was chamber day, so the boat was filled with real divers. On top of that, swells were minimal, maybe 2 foot tops, but mostly 1 foot. This was finally our chance.
It was as cool dive, but didn't live up to my hopes. Visibility ranged from 10 to 20 feet, but mostly stayed around 10. Surge got pretty strong near the top and with the lower visibility you couldn't really see it as an underwater pinnacle, just looked like another dive site on this dive.
There were some really fun moments, we saw several Sea Lions underwater, one of whom did a show for us. Jenni also spotted a beautiful Horn Shark that I saw later only as a photo. Jenni also said she watched a Sea Lion follow me for some time without me realizing it. Pretty funny.
Overall, fun, but I look forward to going back as I'm convinced we didn't see Ship Rock for all of it's glory.
It was chamber day, so the boat was filled with real divers. On top of that, swells were minimal, maybe 2 foot tops, but mostly 1 foot. This was finally our chance.
It was as cool dive, but didn't live up to my hopes. Visibility ranged from 10 to 20 feet, but mostly stayed around 10. Surge got pretty strong near the top and with the lower visibility you couldn't really see it as an underwater pinnacle, just looked like another dive site on this dive.
There were some really fun moments, we saw several Sea Lions underwater, one of whom did a show for us. Jenni also spotted a beautiful Horn Shark that I saw later only as a photo. Jenni also said she watched a Sea Lion follow me for some time without me realizing it. Pretty funny.
Overall, fun, but I look forward to going back as I'm convinced we didn't see Ship Rock for all of it's glory.
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