Leopard Sharks in Whaler's Cove?

[eric gundrum]

I've read (in Bruce Watkins's book) that Leopard sharks frequent the shallows of Whaler's Cove, but I've never seen them. I'm planning a dive for tomorrow and thought I' might spend some time exploring the shallows looking for them.

I've also heard that they are birthing their pups this time of year (in Elkhorn Slough, at least). Has anyone seen Leopard sharks in Whaler's Cove in recent memory?

 

[micboucher]

I'm not sure when they're normally seen at Lobos but the only time I've seen them was in Dec. I heard many reports of others seeing them for weeks around that same time too.

 

[nilsdiver]

3 to 6 months ago near the lone metridium. They where on the sandy bottom with light kelp around. about 60 to 70 fsw. That is the last time I recall seeing any.

 

[Gombessa]

Several months ago was the last I saw any as welll. I hear some of them pup in the caverns by coal chute cove, but it's supposedly well past the season now.

 

[eric gundrum]

It's good to know that they still come around. It may be worth a trip through the shallows to see if any are lying in the sand.

 

[nilsdiver]

Not sure exactly what you define as the "shallows". But I have never seen them in the 15 to 30 fsw areas of the cove. It has always been at least near middle reef.

 

[eric gundrum]

Not sure exactly what you define as the "shallows". But I have never seen them in the 15 to 30 fsw areas of the cove. It has always been at least near middle reef.

I was thinking of the area east of the boat ramp. But, I've never explored there so I really don't know much about it.

If I recall correctly, Watkins says (in his now ancient book on Monterey diving) that the Leopard sharks would hang out in the shallows of the cove to avoid harassment by the seals. But maybe I've got it all wrong. And if their pupping season has past, as Gombessa suggests, then it may not be worth the time.

Actually I was planning to try to get to Granite Point Wall for my first dive. I've never seen any of the east side of the cove. I think I may finally have convinced my buddy it is not too far of a surface swim to get out there. We'll see tomorrow. I hope the conditions are good.

 

[ae3753]

April 17, 2009 - First cold water sidemount dives. We saw this fella near the tire by Hole in the Wall.

Never seen them in the cove. The closest has been in the sand channel in 30' a couple years ago.

 

[eric gundrum]

April 17, 2009 - First cold water sidemount dives. We saw this fella near the tire by Hole in the Wall.

Never seen them in the cove. The closest has been in the sand channel in 30' a couple years ago.

Awesome photo! And great vis. I hope my day tomorrow is half as good as yours looks. I think it's been more than six months since my last dive in the Cove.

 

[Gombessa]

No camera on-hand for my second encounter, but we found this big guy behind granite point wall, he shows up at about 3:12. This was last November.



GPW is totally kickable, we do it all the time (as teams on scooters whiz past us left and right). Swim on the surface to about the end of Middle Reef, descend and kick east. With the kelp coming back you want to make sure you save a bit more gas for the return, in case you need to scuba under the surface kelp. Have fun!