Diving from Palo Alto?

[mahjong]

Hi.

I am new to this forum. I will be moving to Palo Alto in the near future and was wondering where the closest diving off the coast will be for me. I have been diving in Monetery Bay, but was wondering if there might be any good diving--and even better spear fishing--further north, closer to Palo Alto.

Many thanks.

Paul

 

[mahjong]

Not a single response. Now I'm depressed--moving to Palo Alto and no decent diving in the area.

 

[cmburch]

Well, if you look westward to the California Coast between Santa Cruz and Point Reyes, you have Ano Nuevo and the Farallones - breeding grounds. All the pups and their parents tend to attract GWS. There are some more advance locations near SF and some areas near Santa Cruz. But Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur are more popular. It is about 1.5 hr south to Monterey from PA, but diving north of Santa Cruz and south of Point Reyes is not as popular in the Spring season with all the pups. So if there are not many divers that dive GWS seas left may be your answer or some may think you are joking. Maybe contact a dive shop in Half Moon Bay.

On the good side. You will be happy to hear that Abalone Season opens Tuesday for freedivers (SCUBA not allowed) in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties north of the Golden Gate Bridge.

 

[mahjong]

Well, I am not afraid of death, but I am deathly afraid of the GWS. 1.5 hours to Monterey isn't so bad--but I recall diving there with sea lions dashing about all around me. Is the GWS choosy about where he dines? The water is not that much warmer down there, is it?

Thanks,

Paul

Well, if you look westward to the California Coast between Santa Cruz and Point Reyes, you have Ano Nuevo and the Farallones - breeding grounds. All the pups and their parents tend to attract GWS. There are some more advance locations near SF and some areas near Santa Cruz. But Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur are more popular. It is about 1.5 hr south to Monterey from PA, but diving north of Santa Cruz and south of Point Reyes is not as popular in the Spring season with all the pups. So if there are not many divers that dive GWS seas left may be your answer or some may think you are joking. Maybe contact a dive shop in Half Moon Bay.

On the good side. You will be happy to hear that Abalone Season opens Tuesday for freedivers (SCUBA not allowed) in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties north of the Golden Gate Bridge.

 

[cmburch]

This time of year there are many playful sea lions pups near Macabee Beach and the jetty of rocks protecting the harbor. It is near shore shallow water. I am not sure, but I do not think that it is the actual breeding grounds. Just a place the harbor seals and the large amount of sea lion pups like to hang out. I have never seen or heard of large sharks other than smaller leopard, angel, etc. in this area. I am more afraid of losing a leg or losing time from work, so I do not swim with a stringer of bleeding fish in areas frequented by Blues or Great Whites.

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

I've got about 1300 dives in Monterey, and I've seen ONE GWS, from my boat. Most divers never
get to see one. Don't worry about the sharks, worry about the drunks on the road.

You would be more likely to see a GWS closer to Palo Alto. The area from Ano Nuevo to the
Farallones to Pt. Reyes is called "the Red Triangle".


Chuck

 

[cmburch]

I've got about 1300 dives in Monterey, and I've seen ONE GWS, from my boat. Most divers never
get to see one. Don't worry about the sharks, worry about the drunks on the road.

You would be more likely to see a GWS closer to Palo Alto. The area from Ano Nuevo to the
Farallones to Pt. Reyes is called "the Red Triangle".


Chuck

Where was it? Near the trench?

 

[cmburch]

I found this on SpearBoard.

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

It was roughtly on Aumentos Reef. Here's the story:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ba_diving/message/36550

 

[mikeguerrero]

Wow Chuck,

I read your encounter with the GWS. Just last year if the date is correct on your link. It must place a level of respect that these fish command the sea and we are but visitors of the endless sea.

MG