Roughwaterjohn
Contributor
Marine Room reefs, July 6th / dusk
Info:
The skies were overcast, but the temperature was still warm.
The surf remains small to non-existent, with a mild surge on the reefs.
Water temperature varied between 68 72 degrees.
Visibility in the shallows was 10-15
3 high tide, decreasing on a .09 knot ebb to a low of 2.4 @ 7:28PM
Maximum depth was 14 fsw, with an average depth of 8 fsw.
Total bottom time was 1 hour and 8 minutes.
Photos:
Terry and Sean have already posted most of what we saw. Ive included a link to a few creatures they didnt have pictures of.
http://dive.scubadiving.com/members/photogalleries.php?s=5750
The Report:
We had quite a crowd tonight, for this weeks Bottom Bunch Dive Club Tuesday night dive. Terry, Sean, Rick, Joe, Linda and I were the first on the scene, soon followed by Larry, Jenn and Darin. We were the only divers at the Marine Room this evening, but there were a lot of snorkelers taking advantage of the calm seas, to view the Leopard Sharks swimming in the shallows, enjoying the warm water.
We were suited up and in the water by 6:25PM. The decision on whether to drop into the canyon or head towards the shallow reefs was dependent upon the visibility we encountered passed the surf. The visibility was decent, but not great at 10-15, but certainly sufficient incentive to stay shallow and explore the reefs and kelp south of the restaurant. We headed south on the surface on a 240 degree heading, some kicking out on their backs, others snorkeling, looking for Rays and Sharks. The Leopards were out in force tonight, hanging out in 3-15 depths. When we were close to the reefs, we dropped down and started exploring.
With a high tide of less than 6, this was a very shallow dive. Even with the moderate surge and occasionally hazy visibility it was a great dive. It was hard for photography though, as you and your subject were often on opposite ends, and directions of the surge. We sailed passed many wonders, but spent more time looking around and enjoying the scenery than capturing images.
We first encountered rock reefs, covered in surf grass with some small patches of Feather Boa Kelp, with open sand channels between. As we went deeper (deep being a relative term on this dive) the rock reefs got taller and more varied in shape and height, while the Feather Boa gave way to patches of Macrocystis Kelp. With the warm summer nights, the juveniles were still out playing. We saw several schools and varieties of juveniles, such as Senoritas, Rock Wrasse and what appeared to be a school of shiny, bright silver, Perch type fish. We also saw many juvenile Garibaldi and even a few tiny Lobster, tucked into holes with their parents, friends and cousins.
Full sized, and many Super Extra Jumbo-sized Lobster, filled every hole, nook, cranny and overhang. Kelp Bass passed us in schools and individually, with the individuals usually being very large. Surf Perch and Black Perch, joined with Opaleye and Sargo to cover the reefs and school around us in the open sand. We found one small Sheepcrab on his back, claws up and little Xs in his eyes, recently dead, as he was undisturbed when we found him. We saw a few large, obviously living crabs, along with two large Horn Sharks swimming in open water through the surf grass and two Bat Rays doing the same. We saw Turbots, Halibut, California Scorpionfish and Octopus. If it swam, crawled or dwelled beneath the seas, it was on the reefs and out, awaiting our perusal.
These reefs are a wonderful excuse to go diving, as you can stay low, swimming along the shifting sands between rock islands, sail over the rocky crests, parting the kelp or surf grass before sailing down into a previously hidden valley, or hover over the reefs, dropping down whenever something catches your fancy. The life here is abundant, varied, and quite often larger than youll see at other locations in La Jolla.
When it was time to head back, we struck a northern course, taking a fairly direct route over the grass, kelp and rocks until we hit open sand. We continued north for a while, avoiding the shallows, before heading north/east until we reached 10 fsw, then straight east towards shore. We saw many Bat Ray clouds and too many Stingrays to count, before reaching 4 fsw, directly in front of the restaurant. Sean and Rick were already standing on the shore when we stood up, while the rest of our group emerged from the seas behind us in pairs. Dusk was departing and night fell full upon us as we changed and talked about the dive.
John-Boy
Info:
The skies were overcast, but the temperature was still warm.
The surf remains small to non-existent, with a mild surge on the reefs.
Water temperature varied between 68 72 degrees.
Visibility in the shallows was 10-15
3 high tide, decreasing on a .09 knot ebb to a low of 2.4 @ 7:28PM
Maximum depth was 14 fsw, with an average depth of 8 fsw.
Total bottom time was 1 hour and 8 minutes.
Photos:
Terry and Sean have already posted most of what we saw. Ive included a link to a few creatures they didnt have pictures of.
http://dive.scubadiving.com/members/photogalleries.php?s=5750
The Report:
We had quite a crowd tonight, for this weeks Bottom Bunch Dive Club Tuesday night dive. Terry, Sean, Rick, Joe, Linda and I were the first on the scene, soon followed by Larry, Jenn and Darin. We were the only divers at the Marine Room this evening, but there were a lot of snorkelers taking advantage of the calm seas, to view the Leopard Sharks swimming in the shallows, enjoying the warm water.
We were suited up and in the water by 6:25PM. The decision on whether to drop into the canyon or head towards the shallow reefs was dependent upon the visibility we encountered passed the surf. The visibility was decent, but not great at 10-15, but certainly sufficient incentive to stay shallow and explore the reefs and kelp south of the restaurant. We headed south on the surface on a 240 degree heading, some kicking out on their backs, others snorkeling, looking for Rays and Sharks. The Leopards were out in force tonight, hanging out in 3-15 depths. When we were close to the reefs, we dropped down and started exploring.
With a high tide of less than 6, this was a very shallow dive. Even with the moderate surge and occasionally hazy visibility it was a great dive. It was hard for photography though, as you and your subject were often on opposite ends, and directions of the surge. We sailed passed many wonders, but spent more time looking around and enjoying the scenery than capturing images.
We first encountered rock reefs, covered in surf grass with some small patches of Feather Boa Kelp, with open sand channels between. As we went deeper (deep being a relative term on this dive) the rock reefs got taller and more varied in shape and height, while the Feather Boa gave way to patches of Macrocystis Kelp. With the warm summer nights, the juveniles were still out playing. We saw several schools and varieties of juveniles, such as Senoritas, Rock Wrasse and what appeared to be a school of shiny, bright silver, Perch type fish. We also saw many juvenile Garibaldi and even a few tiny Lobster, tucked into holes with their parents, friends and cousins.
Full sized, and many Super Extra Jumbo-sized Lobster, filled every hole, nook, cranny and overhang. Kelp Bass passed us in schools and individually, with the individuals usually being very large. Surf Perch and Black Perch, joined with Opaleye and Sargo to cover the reefs and school around us in the open sand. We found one small Sheepcrab on his back, claws up and little Xs in his eyes, recently dead, as he was undisturbed when we found him. We saw a few large, obviously living crabs, along with two large Horn Sharks swimming in open water through the surf grass and two Bat Rays doing the same. We saw Turbots, Halibut, California Scorpionfish and Octopus. If it swam, crawled or dwelled beneath the seas, it was on the reefs and out, awaiting our perusal.
These reefs are a wonderful excuse to go diving, as you can stay low, swimming along the shifting sands between rock islands, sail over the rocky crests, parting the kelp or surf grass before sailing down into a previously hidden valley, or hover over the reefs, dropping down whenever something catches your fancy. The life here is abundant, varied, and quite often larger than youll see at other locations in La Jolla.
When it was time to head back, we struck a northern course, taking a fairly direct route over the grass, kelp and rocks until we hit open sand. We continued north for a while, avoiding the shallows, before heading north/east until we reached 10 fsw, then straight east towards shore. We saw many Bat Ray clouds and too many Stingrays to count, before reaching 4 fsw, directly in front of the restaurant. Sean and Rick were already standing on the shore when we stood up, while the rest of our group emerged from the seas behind us in pairs. Dusk was departing and night fell full upon us as we changed and talked about the dive.
John-Boy
