Freshly certifed

[highveelocity]

and taking my boat to Santa Cruz Island this weekend. Is there a good dive site to go to for a newby to tackle without supervision? I will be diving with my wife and there will be two other people there with us, but not diving. We will be staying overnight in Fry's Cove Saturday

 

[FrankPro1]

I've enjoyed diving Scorpion Anchorage. The two out lying "Scorpion Rocks" are my favorite spot to dive at the anchorage and are located straight out from the cove. They lay in about 45-50ft and are covered in life. Here's a good boaters orientated vid: YouTube - Scorpion Anchorage Santa Cruz Island California
and my personal dive video of the anchorage:
YouTube - Santa Cruz Island, Scorpion Anchorage Summer 09

 

[highveelocity]

Thanks Frank! I did dive Little Scorpion last weekend and it was fantastic, over 40 ft viz in some areas. The only bad thing is I lost my wife's Genesis computer on that dive. We're going back next weekend to dive some more and have a look for it. Is that Rock at Little Scorpion outside the Preserve area?

 

[FrankPro1]

Thanks Frank! I did dive Little Scorpion last weekend and it was fantastic, over 40 ft viz in some areas. The only bad thing is I lost my wife's Genesis computer on that dive. We're going back next weekend to dive some more and have a look for it. Is that Rock at Little Scorpion outside the Preserve area?

I've had three summer trips out to Scorpion and it has yet to disappoint. Did you dive off the two smaller pinnacles which just break the surface right infront of the cobblestone beach? Or directly off Little Scorpion rock?

All of the Northern Islands are considered a marine sanctuary, but fishing is still allowed in most areas. Scorpion Anchorage is one of the few spots which is completely off limits to any collecting or hunting. I believe the preserves western boundary is at Potato Harbor and Little Scorpion marks its eastern edge.

 

[highveelocity]

We moored in Little Scorpion, East of the big rock. So you would say the big rock is off limits? We also started our dive about 80 yards east of the big rock, over the sandy bottom.

 

[FrankPro1]

We moored in Little Scorpion, East of the big rock. So you would say the big rock is off limits? We also started our dive about 80 yards east of the big rock, over the sandy bottom.

I'm not a hunter, but from what I've been told Scorpion Rock is off limits. To be safe I would head around the next bend towards San Pedro Point and Smugglers Cove. On kayak/free dive excursions towards that area, I've seen kayak fishermen catching decent size rockfish and calico bass.

 

[highveelocity]

I wouldn't mind trying Yellowbanks, there's lots of kelp there and the yellowtail and white sea bass are supposed to be in there. I'm not a hunter all the time either, sometime me and wife go and enjoy the scenery. Maybe if I ever get another job I can get some photog equipment and start making some nice photo albums.