Kelp Forest off Catalina Island [HD Video]

[Rainer]

Thanks!

I'm shooting a Nikon D7000 in an Aquatica housing.

What camera? Nice stuff!

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I've only dived there once (as a night dive). Was a *great* dive.

Blue Caverns, which we did as the last dive on this trip, is also one of my favorites. Great geology (caverns, big walls, etc) and usually good marine life (it's the only place on the frontside I often see Pacific torpedo rays; we had a harbor seal follow us for most of our dive this past trip here, including into several of the caverns!).

I really enjoy Little Farnsworth, too!

 

[drbill]

Glad to hear the dive park has generally been Sargassum free. It is a bit surprising with the warm temperatures.

Temps were cool late last summer and throughout the winter and spring which gave the giant kelp the edge. It formed healthy canopy and probably shaded out much of the Sargassum horneri this year. The Sargassum is largely seasonal, dying out in early summer so it never had much of a chance since the giant kelp remained healthy into August. I do see a lot of immature Sargassum in the park, but relatively little mature stuff.

 

[tracydr]

That was wonderful! Did you post this on the GUE forum? I think I was trying to see it there but for some reason I can't see any video links on that forum with my IPAD.

 

[Rainer]

Makes a lot of sense. I remember a few years back the Sargassum was pretty out of control in the park. Was a real downer. Even more reason to come over soon! Are the GSBs still hanging around?

Temps were cool late last summer and throughout the winter and spring which gave the giant kelp the edge. It formed healthy canopy and probably shaded out much of the Sargassum horneri this year. The Sargassum is largely seasonal, dying out in early summer so it never had much of a chance since the giant kelp remained healthy into August. I do see a lot of immature Sargassum in the park, but relatively little mature stuff.

I hadn't, but just dropped a link there now. I prefer to post about local trips here in the SoCal subforum, since they're most relevant to those who dive here most often. Glad you enjoyed it! If you haven't dived Ship Rock yet, put it on your short list.

That was wonderful! Did you post this on the GUE forum? I think I was trying to see it there but for some reason I can't see any video links on that forum with my IPAD.

 

[fnfalman]

I love the video!!!

I wish that more boats would go to Ship Rock more. Damn shame to hear about the Seabass being sold. I've only been on it three times (oil rig runs), but it was a well ran boat and definitely caters more towards the tech people.

 

[Rainer]

Thanks!

It's such a nice site and a relatively close one for the San Pedro / Long Beach boats. Anchoring in the area can be a bit of a challenge, but nothing too complicated. Almost every one of my dives there has been on a private charter. You're right, the open boats just tend not to go there.

Really going to miss Richard and Earle on the Sea Bass. Just a great boat. 12-13 divers made organizing trips manageable and still allowed for a decent sized group. It was the only boat of this size in the area (at least that I know of) that pumped 32%.

I love the video!!!

I wish that more boats would go to Ship Rock more. Damn shame to hear about the Seabass being sold. I've only been on it three times (oil rig runs), but it was a well ran boat and definitely caters more towards the tech people.

 

[bperc]

Thanks!
Really going to miss Richard and Earle on the Sea Bass. Just a great boat. 12-13 divers made organizing trips manageable and still allowed for a decent sized group. It was the only boat of this size in the area (at least that I know of) that pumped 32%.

Have you ever been on the Magician out of San Pedro? I went on it to the oil rigs in July and they have 32%. It says on their website they go to Catalina.

 

[fnfalman]

Yes, the Magician also has Nitrox and does make some runs to oil rig, but most of the time it's chartered out to Sport Chalet.

 

[RonFrank]

Your video has me missing CA diving.... Thanks for posting!

 

[Rainer]

I haven't been on the Magician, but from everything I hear, it's a great boat. It's just not a boat that I could easily charter. First, finding 25+ friends that can all dive on the same day is much harder than finding a dozen. Second, as fnfalman noted, the boat is usually chartered by Sports Chalet anyway. Definitely might be a great option for an open boat for us moving forward, but not the same as chartering the whole thing and picking your own dive spots.

Have you ever been on the Magician out of San Pedro? I went on it to the oil rigs in July and they have 32%. It says on their website they go to Catalina.

Yes, the Magician also has Nitrox and does make some runs to oil rig, but most of the time it's chartered out to Sport Chalet.

Thanks, Ron! Sounds like you need to make a trip back out here soon to scratch that itch.

Have you been diving much in CO, or traveling to get in dives?

Your video has me missing CA diving.... Thanks for posting!