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other than wrecks, what's to see past 100'? doesn't the light get filtered so much coral and plants don't live down there? maybe big pelagics but if you cut your buddy's finger and let him bleed for a little while won't they just come up to where you are?
There are animals living below 100 feet that you won't see in shallower water. In Southern California, that means several species of rockfish, metridiums, wolfeels, and different sponges.
I know I should not do a dive that loads me with trepidation, but what of the dive I have complete confidence in? Should I consult an "expert" every time? Who is this expert in my abilities?
other than wrecks, what's to see past 100'? doesn't the light get filtered so much coral and plants don't live down there? maybe big pelagics but if you cut your buddy's finger and let him bleed for a little while won't they just come up to where you are?
I have dived to 315 feet in Cozumel. Things are different at different depths. There was frankly not a lot to see in the 300 foot region, but there was great black coral at around 200 feet. The big lionfish were mostly between 150-200 feet, where the DMs won't find them.
There are animals living below 100 feet that you won't see in shallower water. In Southern California, that means several species of rockfish, metridiums, wolfeels, and different sponges.
That's interesting about the wolfeels. We used to see wolfeels pretty shallow when I lived in Seattle. I wonder if those were a different species. It was 20 years ago or more, maybe things changed.
The farther north you go, the shallower they are. They are cold water animals and the water is a bit colder in the PNW than SoCal. You have to go a little deeper down here.
Nice to not have to worry about some cattle boat full of kooks pulling up your spot too.
In some areas the spearfishing, lobstering or artifact/fossil hunting starts @ 100'
Here in Italy the best diving sites start at 35-40m and are wonderful down to 60m. This was the standard diving done RECREATIONALLY when I was young. We started using a twin tank (and a CC rebreather) since the first OW course, and the rec limits, at the time, were 50m, with buddy and with "light" deco (which means the deepest stop had to be 6m).
Was it worth the risk? I think yes, as only at those depths (40-50m) you see scenarios like these ones:
Secca Isuela, Punta Chiappa, Portofino (near Genoa):
Secca del Toro, Favignana (a small island south of Sicily):
Red coral inside caverns at Capo Caccia, Sardinia:
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