paradicio
Contributor
Date: 11/4/07
Dive Location: Brittlestar Reef and The Rookery, Santa Barbara Island
Dive Boat: The Sand Dollar
Charter: Was chartered through Eco Dive Center
Vis: Not so good, maybe 15 20 feet, the Sea Lions tend to stir everything up
Wave height: whatever - Boat dive
Temp at depth: 57
Tide information: whatever - boat dive
Gas mix: Air
Best moment: Looking up and seeing over 40 Sea Lions getting ready to dive bomb us
Comments:
There are moments, while diving, when you take a look around and think this is why I dive Very seldom can you say that about an entire dive trip. This was one of them
We got on the boat Saturday at around 9pm, checked in, and had a quick briefing. After that we were set free until midnight when the boat was scheduled to leave. As its a 5hr ride from San Pedro to Santa Barbara Island, wed be making the trip overnight while we slept. The bunks were as comfy as can be expected, I slept fairly well. But, the meals on the boat were AMAZING (3 provided). All home cookin and cookin done right. The DMs were personable, funny, and totally just hung out with us to talk. All around a great crew; friendly, professional, and just plain cool.
But what about the dives?
First Dive: Brittlestar Reef
Brittlestar Reef is amazing; upon descending I took a look around and was kind of shocked at the strange algae growing all over the rocks. Upon closer inspection no thats not algae, those are millions upon millions of brittlestars! If youve not seen this particular spot, I highly recommend it. I really wanted to spend time checking out all the nooks and crannies, but some sea lions caught our attention and would not be ignored.
Second and Third Dives: The Rookery
Of course this is why we made the trip out. Sea Lions and LOTS of them. At one point (on the swim out to the rookery), I noticed a Sea Lion zoom by me. First one wed seen on that dive. Then another, from the opposite direction. I looked up to the surface and they were EVERYWHERE. Next thing we know theyre coming down at us and fast, turning only at the last possible second. It was hard to tell who was having the better time, us or them!
I have to say, this was the most fun I've had yet as a diver... Thanks much to the crew of the Sand Dollar, as well as the crew from Eco Dive Center!
Some highlights from the dives below
Dive Location: Brittlestar Reef and The Rookery, Santa Barbara Island
Dive Boat: The Sand Dollar
Charter: Was chartered through Eco Dive Center
Vis: Not so good, maybe 15 20 feet, the Sea Lions tend to stir everything up
Wave height: whatever - Boat dive
Temp at depth: 57
Tide information: whatever - boat dive
Gas mix: Air
Best moment: Looking up and seeing over 40 Sea Lions getting ready to dive bomb us
Comments:
There are moments, while diving, when you take a look around and think this is why I dive Very seldom can you say that about an entire dive trip. This was one of them
We got on the boat Saturday at around 9pm, checked in, and had a quick briefing. After that we were set free until midnight when the boat was scheduled to leave. As its a 5hr ride from San Pedro to Santa Barbara Island, wed be making the trip overnight while we slept. The bunks were as comfy as can be expected, I slept fairly well. But, the meals on the boat were AMAZING (3 provided). All home cookin and cookin done right. The DMs were personable, funny, and totally just hung out with us to talk. All around a great crew; friendly, professional, and just plain cool.
But what about the dives?
First Dive: Brittlestar Reef
Brittlestar Reef is amazing; upon descending I took a look around and was kind of shocked at the strange algae growing all over the rocks. Upon closer inspection no thats not algae, those are millions upon millions of brittlestars! If youve not seen this particular spot, I highly recommend it. I really wanted to spend time checking out all the nooks and crannies, but some sea lions caught our attention and would not be ignored.
Second and Third Dives: The Rookery
Of course this is why we made the trip out. Sea Lions and LOTS of them. At one point (on the swim out to the rookery), I noticed a Sea Lion zoom by me. First one wed seen on that dive. Then another, from the opposite direction. I looked up to the surface and they were EVERYWHERE. Next thing we know theyre coming down at us and fast, turning only at the last possible second. It was hard to tell who was having the better time, us or them!
I have to say, this was the most fun I've had yet as a diver... Thanks much to the crew of the Sand Dollar, as well as the crew from Eco Dive Center!
Some highlights from the dives below
