Did two dives at San Carlos Beach today. There were lots of fishing boats, Phil Sammet's RIB with the mondo camera rig, and a Marine Mammal rescue crew after a Sea Lion at the far end of the beach.
First dive: Pipe to the Metridiums
Dive Time: 65 minutes
Max Depth: 38 feet
Visibility: 15 feet
Water Temperature: 51.4F to 57.9F
Conditions: Overcast, small waves washing fairly close to the stairs, strong surge and/or current
There were some small waves at the Breakwater entry point, but the wave model said they should calm as the day progressed. They waves looked smaller at the far end of the beach, and there were a pair of harbor seals there too, so we decided to head to the Metridiums.
We walked down the beach to an easy entry, with a harbor seal escort as soon as we hit the water. We dropped pretty close to shore and quickly found the pipe. The surge was impressive, but very long period---I'd-a called it a current if it didn't change directions regularly. We moseyed along the pipe, buddy shooting macro & me wondering 'where are the fish'? Sea Lions took over as our escorts and buzzed us occasionally throughout the dive. There were some rockfish near rocks north of the pipe about mid-way down it's length. Ultimately, we reached half air as we were nearing the end of the pipe so we turned and followed it back.
The sun was just breaking through the clouds as we kicked back to shore.
Second dive: Breakwater
Dive Time: 67 minutes
Max Depth: 36 feet
Visibility: 15 feet
Water Temperature: 51.4F to 58.6F
Conditions: Sunny, tide well out, almost no waves, less surge.
The waves dropped during our surface interval making for an easy entry. We dropped at the Admiralty Anchor, pretty well hidden by kelp, and headed out along the wall. (I forgot to change the batteries in my video lights, so a shallow dive seemed like a good idea.) Again, we had sea lions buzzing us most of the dive. I also saw a Sea Otter check us out and two or three cormorants swim by, hunting---but these sightings happened too quickly for me to get any video, d'oh!
I spotted two shark egg casings my buddy had spotted during a night dive last night. A small Lingcod swam up while I was filming an anemone and posed for me too. Right after I turned off the camera, I noticed another fish approaching and before I could get the camera running the Lingcod lunged at it!!!!
Otherwise, I didn't see a lot of fish. We turned and worked our way back into the shallows, checking out the Anchor again and cruising along the Sand Dollar beds, surfacing near the 3.
