July 4th Pt. Lobos dive

[Goddard]

Hi all,

I just went to Pt. Lobos for the first time and I have to say I was a little underwhelmed. The visibility wasn't great but it wasn't bad. The cold temperature seemed to get to me more than usual and a couple of other people said they were cold as well. (It was 48 degrees). But overall, the diving was nice we just didn't see as much as I expected.

I'm not entirely sure if we didn't get out to the right place or didn't get out far enough. We tried to follow some suggestions on online--surface-swim out and then dive under the kelp. During our first dive I think we ended up going along the sand channel. The second dive we made our way along the left side of Whaler's Cove. We saw an enormous wolf eel, a couple of really neat schools of fish, and some really amazing anemone.

I guess I was just a little surprised that we didn't see more fish or something given the great online raves. Maybe I got my hopes up too high? Thoughts?

=Rachel

 

[Ben_ca]

Rachel How deep were you?

 

[Goddard]

Our max depth on the first dive was 42 ft and the second dive was 35ft. I don't have a great estimate for how far we got along the cove...maybe halfway to the large rock with a lot of bird poo. That probably doesn't help. It was my 10th dive ever so its still a little exhausting to have even have gone that far, but we were at the maximum depth for where we were.

Thanks for any suggestions you may have! Maybe a boat is the way to go till we get more experience and spend less of our air getting out?

-Rachel

 

[dannobee]

Can you tell us about where you were?

http://pt-lobos.parks.state.ca.us/scuba/divespots.html

Although, I do admit, the really, REALLY nice spots require a boat or scooter. The far end (North) of Middle Reef is a good spot if you're shore diving, along with Cannery Point (a little further out than you got?). But in any case, you'll still need to swim aways out there. You didn't try to swim underwater out to the spots, did you? That would burn up a LOT of air.

I try to get out to Bluefish Cove or Thumbs Up, but I also bring my inflatable when I go there, FWIW. Take a look at some pics from Thumbs Up from this link, did your dive look something like this?

http://www.divesitevideos.com/Lobos/A/AA.html

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

If your max depth was 42', you were just getting to the good part. For me, the best
part of Whaler's is the outside edge of the kelp. I usually swim just inside the outermost
kelp, rarely more than one kelp "tree" between me and open water. Lots of light, some
nice walls. Depth is 60-70'. I have a boat though, so I don't have to swim out.

Next time, take your time, and surface swim all the way out, and relax for a few
minutes when you get there before you start your dive.

Be sure to save enough air to swim back to the sand channel at the end of the dive.

The best of Lobos (at least at recreational depths) is probably The Great Pinnacle in
Bluefish Cove, but that requires a boat.

 

[Ben_ca]

Usually a little deeper and outside the cove then the vis opens up.... around 60 ish
I would reccomend just finding a mentor... some one willing to impart some knowledge/wisdom and just dive... Boats are great but i would rather save up for a drysuit

As far as finding a local mentor amongst the local DIR guys we seem to have a pretty good pipline going with people helping their juniors get to the next level... There's also a bunch of SB people here who are more than willing to show newbie around.... All you have to do is ask.

and don't give up on Lobos just yet... This weekend was pretty bad.... Cold water plus the sun not coming out means a miserable time for wetsuit divers. Pt Lobos is as good as it gets for our local Bay Area diving without paying for a boat

edit: Wow you saw a wolf eel? Left side you said... hmmm

 

[dannobee]

Pt Lobos is as good as it gets for our local Bay Area diving without paying for a boat

I wouldn't quite say that, but you do need to know where to go . I could name a few other spots that I like better than Pt Lobos for shore diving, and all are on the Carmel side, futher south, with less surface swimming. And no reservations required, but a dive sherpa might come in handy for schlepping the gear down and back.

 

[Ben_ca]

I wouldn't quite say that, but you do need to know where to go . I could name a few other spots that I like better than Pt Lobos for shore diving, and all are on the Carmel side, futher south, with less surface swimming. And no reservations required, but a dive sherpa might come in handy for schlepping the gear down and back.

I still say Pt Lobos... The ease of entry, restrooms, hose to wash off with afterward. Not to mention being sheltered and divable almost all the time make it the best

I think it's time for a poll

 

[jagfish]

Another Goddard?

Hey, welcome to the board!

Jim Goddard
(There's actually another James Goddard on the board as well)

 

[Ben_ca]

Another Goddard?

Hey, welcome to the board!

Jim Goddard
(There's actually another James Goddard on the board as well)

Man what are you guys rocket scientists?
:lol: