OML 120 Reef 1/30 AT NIGHT!!!!

[LLKZ16]

Date: 1/30/09
Dive Location: OML 120 Reef at NIGHT!!!!
Buddy(ies): Angelique / Steve / Gerry
Time: 8:17 pm.
Bottom Time: 1 Hr 13 Min
Max Depth: 33 fsw
Vis: 15-20 Feet
Wave height: 0-1 Feet
Temp at depth: 55 F
Surface Temp: 68F

We have been talking about this dive for at least 3 years. Last night, with the conditions being perfect, we finally got around to diving Old Marineland at NIGHT!!

I met up with Angelique and two new divers (to me) Steve and Gerry outside the parking lot because it was chained off for the night. The air was warm and there was almost no breeze at all. We all suited up and started to make our way down the long dark trail. To be honest with you, it was actually easier then I thought. With only a sliver of the moon out and the sky as clear as a bell, navigating the trail was not too hard. The warm temperature plus a long walk in an 8mm suit was something else though?lol

When we reached the cove, it was Lake Pacifica. We all hit the water without any issues and started to kick out to the point. On the way out we noticed how clear the sky was. The stars were out in full force; Orion and Cassiopeia where bright in the sky and it was both a surreal and calm feeling at the same time. After talking about or plan at the surface we all dropped at the point. The visibility was just OK at first. There were particles in the water but as we moved forward going 120 degrees, it got a lot better.

Diving a reef at night is not something we do here in the South Bay that often. Our beloved mud hole Vets is our normal destination. This dive at night is a wonderful diversion from the norm.

As we worked our way between the rock structures, we noticed the normal critters the reef has to offer but things seemed much more active at night. As far as Nudis go, White Spotted Doris were everywhere. Also sighted were Spanish Shawls, Hermisendas and a tiny San Diego Dorid.

Towards the end of the dive we spotted a huge Horn Shark. He must have been at least 4 feet. It was amazing to see a shark so close up and taking itÃÔ defensive posture. This guy puffed up stood on itÃÔ front fins and just stared at us until we got too close and he took off. I was able to get a short video so check it out.

Below are some pictures from the dive. ItÃÔ not my best work but some came out OK:

Here is the Horn Shark Video:
OML 120 Reef 13009 NIGHT :: Large Horn Shark video by LLKZ16 - Photobucket


Album:
OML 120 Reef 13009 NIGHT pictures by LLKZ16 - Photobucket

 

[FrankPro1]

Incredible! My buddy and I have talked about doing 120 reef at night in the future. It is definitely one of the spots that is shallow/safe enough to warrant a night entry. Unbelievable Shots! I never seen so much life during the day over there, it looks like they really only come out at night. Many thanks to you for sharing!

P.s: Is Angelique "aka Angel Shark"? If she's the Angelique I'm thinking of... you've got one good dive buddy there! She served as a DM on my open water dives at Catalina and Vets and helped me out quite a bit. She even taught me some things my instructor didn't!

 

[LLKZ16]

Incredible! My buddy and I have talked about doing 120 reef at night in the future. It is definitely one of the spots that is shallow/safe enough to warrant a night entry. Unbelievable Shots! I never seen so much life during the day over there, it looks like they really only come out at night. Many thanks to you for sharing!

P.s: Is Angelique "aka Angel Shark"? If she's the Angelique I'm thinking of... you've got one good dive buddy there! She served as a DM on my open water dives at Catalina and Vets and helped me out quite a bit. She even taught me some things my instructor didn't!

Frank - Thanks for your comments. Yes, we are talking about the same Angelique. We have been diving together for many years.

 

[SPKelpDiver]

Awesome dive and pictures/video! I would love to see that spot at night.

 

[SPKelpDiver]

So are we just overlooking those white spotted dorids by day or do they come out at night?

 

[LLKZ16]

So are we just overlooking those white spotted dorids by day or do they come out at night?

Good question, and there is no definitive answer. The normal nudis at the 120 Reef are mainly Lemon Dorids (Diaulula nobilis) and Spanish Shawls. I would have to say that White Spotted Dorids are also often seen there but for some reason, they were out in full force during our dive. These guys are sometimes very small so you have to look for them.

If you are really interested in a larger variety of nidis, kick on out to the point and check out Teds Pinnicle.

 

[FrankPro1]

Good question, and there is no definitive answer. The normal nudis at the 120 Reef are mainly Lemon Dorids (Diaulula nobilis) and Spanish Shawls. I would have to say that White Spotted Dorids are also often seen there but for some reason, they were out in full force during our dive. These guys are sometimes very small so you have to look for them.

If you are really interested in a larger variety of nidis, kick on out to the point and check out Teds Pinnicle.

SpKelpDiver and I dove Long Point Reef on the 29th. We saw Yellow Dorids, Porters Chromodorids, Hermi's and Shawls. We were unable to find Ted's Pinnacle but we found some shallower pinnacles that had tons of baby blue banded gobi's "something we've never seen at marineland until this dive". On the way out SpKelpdiver found a Lingcod defending its nest in the shallows. By far one of our favorite dives to date. My dive report from that dive: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/socal/270471-old-marineland-long-point-reef-1-29-09-a.html

 

[MaxBottomtime]

So are we just overlooking those white spotted dorids by day or do they come out at night?

In the late winter/early spring at the Point you'll find one dominant species of nudis for a few weeks followed by another until the Fall. On one dive you might see several thousand Hermissendas laying eggs everywhere. The next month San Diego dorids take over the reef.
Look at the 4:13 through 4:38 mark for San Diego dorids. I shot this several years ago on the Ace One wreck about six miles south of San Pedro.

 

[SPKelpDiver]

Nice video, looks like a cool dive.