Skin Dive#:021
Sun July 06, 08
Neptune's Cove: tidepool
Purpose: have fun during poor conditions
Tide: High @ 1:00 pm
Entry: large, pool-like tide pool @ 1:00 pm
Distance: n/a
Gear: 5/3 suit, mask, snorkel, boots, gloves
Temp: Air 75 F?/Water 62 F?
Enviroment: sunny, marine layer, 2-3 ft breaks to fill the pool
Visibilty: 10 -20 ft
Conditions Synopsis: good
Sights: topsmelt, grunion, opaleye, surf perch, scorpionfish, sea hares, urchins, ochre stars,
Exit: same @ 2:00 pm
Time to date: 15 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 1 hr
Total time: 16 hrs 45 min
Special Notes: This would be my third day in a row tide-pool diving at the Secret Garden of Neptune's Cove. The secret garden is about double the size of an olympic pool, about 4-5 ft deep at the deepest and gets filled up by breaks at high tide. The water is rather cold from a drop off right next to the pool. The drop off is a popular fishing hole. The pool drains on one side into the ocean, creating a mild current pulling into that drainage.
On my way down the extremely unstabble trail I noticed some guys with masks and snorkels. I climbed over rocks to them. One was trying to coax his dog into the pool. I told them that there is a good rock ridge to walk on then flop into four feet of water. They snapped back, "We know. We've been swimming here for thirty years!". I knew I should learn some stuff from these guys. I put on my wetsuit, boots and gloves while they had on just trunks and shoes. I flopped in after them. The older man admired my westsuit and told me to go help the fisherman on the other end of the pool who had dropped something in. I slithered up to the fisherman and I noticed that they either found their object or gave up. We chatted breifly and then I saw their object in the shallow pool - a pack a soggy cigarettes on the bottom. I scurried over to the deeper end, sucking in my belly to not get poked by urchins or the unbearbale scorpion fish. The younger of the two men who was probably the son, forty, was standing on the small platform, aka boulder with a red brick in his hand. "I'm going to crack open some urchins. Go down and watch the fish eat.", he siad to me. We went under and he smashed some purple urchins and pink flesh floated around. Soon lots and lots of fish were fighting for the meat! It was a frenzy. We held onto some boulders so the we wouldnt get slowly sucked out the drain, today's tide was high. There had to be fifty plus fish in the frenzy area. Some watching, some eating. Even pairs of scorpion fish were in on the party. Later I took liberty to smash some urchins with the brick and admire the beautiful lunch time myself. Maybe that's why the fish here are so friendly... no one really gets in the water here, but when they do, the fish get fed? I swam around and the dad and son got out of the chilly pool. Tiny waves formed in the pool as the breaks peaked up and into the pool over the walls. I held on. Bubbles filled the water and vis went from 20 to zero then cleared up again.
When I got out the older man talked my leg off. He said the place was better when the whale vertebrae and scapula was exposed in the nearby rock as a fossil until some one stole it. He pointed to some rubble. He explained that the fresh rocks that fell own in the last ten years might have some new fossils to be found. He then said the pool gets it's spider web appearance from the now plugged up hot water vents. It made sense. The pool is unusual. From the top of the cliff it looks like either a spider web or an amplitheatre. The ridges fan out from the corner, radiating as you can imagine the once flowing spring of water flowing from the depths of the earth. He talked about the hole, the abyss right under the fisherman on the dangerous rocks over to the right. He said his friend owns a record for deep hole fishing in that spot. The man talked more almost enjoying himself more than trying to educate me. He was a happy old man with japanese features and little pot belly. He liked the sound of his own voice and I listened. He kept repeating how he is so haooy the place is accessible once again, explaing that during the housing development of the area, all access was blocked off. Later in the parking lot he told me to go to the area between Hagertty's and Rat's at absolute low tide to see a hole, another serene spot for similar diving as this pool. I thanked him and I drove home with fish in my eyes and plans to find the other hole.
July 07, 2008
Friends At the Secret Garden of Neptune's cove
Skin Dive#:020
Sat July 05, 08
Neptune's Cove: tidepool
Purpose: have fun with friends during poor conditions
Tide: High @ 12:30 pm
Entry: large, pool-like tide pool @ 1:00 pm
Distance: n/a
Gear: 5/3 suit, mask, snorkel, boots, gloves
Temp: Air 75 F?/Water 62 F?
Enviroment: sunny, marine layer, 2-3 ft breaks to fill the pool
Visibilty: 20 ft
Conditions Synopsis: good
Sights: topsmelt, grunion, opaleye, surf perch, scorpionfish, sea hares, urchins, ochre stars, nudibranch, sun star
Exit: same @ 2:00 pm
Time to date: 14 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 1 hr
Total time: 15 hrs 45 min
Special Notes: Yesterday was my first time experiencing the secret garden at Neptune's Cove. It was serene so I wanted to share it with my visiting friends Jessica and Dave. We drove over to the cove right after high tide so the pool would be filled. I prepped Dave on the Scorpion fish and we walked along a small rock ridge into the pool and flopped into four feet of crystal clear water. I pointed at a baby scorpion fish and then at a larger scorpion fish. I told him not to touch them. He was wearing a spring suit so i told him to watch his knees on the many urchins. Yesterday while here I accidentally put my hand on one of the devils and the tiny points broke off into my palm. It didn't really hurt but startled me. Thankfully it was only three pokes, not too deep. We swam around I and i showed him different areas of the pool and we went our seperate ways to voyeur on the many animals. I spotted a black nudibranch with flourescent yellow and purple-blue spots. It was awesome. I've never seen one and I was able to now look at it in crystal clear water in front of my nose. I met up with dave by the diving platform, aka boulder. I motioned for him to look at something. It was a giant sun star slowly climbing up a rock garden. The sun shone trhough the shallow water in golden patches. I swam around some more. I watched baby surf perch graze in green fields. A mother opale escorted here babies into a further pool. I found a rock ridge with fifty curious fish mesmorized bu my pale garden gloves. I tried to poke the noses of curious top smelt. Some fish in the large pool were nig enough to hunt. But I would never hunt in such a peaceful garden. Dave got out after the chill got to him and I took breaks for hydrating. Jessica had fun in the shallow areas of the tide pools playing with the crabs. I had another awesome time in the fish village.
Additional notes: A group of young teenagers came flopping down the dangerous trail druing our tide pool diving. The boys were gregarious and their lone female counterpart trailed quietly in her skimpy swimsuit. The grouped climbed dangerous vantage points where waves almost knocked them down. They didn't keep an eye on the sets the came over the pool's walls. One boy had a snorkel and mask in hand. The grouped walked over to the edge of the pool near the cove's mouth and peered ino the violent waves. then two boys doffed thier trunks and jumped casually into the extreme sea with their boxers. I was impressed. It was quite stupid, they spent about twenty minutes fighting the currents and it seemed that they would swim into the nearby cove for a dangerous exit. But, eventually managed to exit where they leaped into the chaos. They must've done it before. No one was scratched. I kept thinking about the extremely poor visibilty. kelp and chaos they worked with. Maybe they did it just to impress the girl in the bikini!
Sat July 05, 08
Neptune's Cove: tidepool
Purpose: have fun with friends during poor conditions
Tide: High @ 12:30 pm
Entry: large, pool-like tide pool @ 1:00 pm
Distance: n/a
Gear: 5/3 suit, mask, snorkel, boots, gloves
Temp: Air 75 F?/Water 62 F?
Enviroment: sunny, marine layer, 2-3 ft breaks to fill the pool
Visibilty: 20 ft
Conditions Synopsis: good
Sights: topsmelt, grunion, opaleye, surf perch, scorpionfish, sea hares, urchins, ochre stars, nudibranch, sun star
Exit: same @ 2:00 pm
Time to date: 14 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 1 hr
Total time: 15 hrs 45 min
Special Notes: Yesterday was my first time experiencing the secret garden at Neptune's Cove. It was serene so I wanted to share it with my visiting friends Jessica and Dave. We drove over to the cove right after high tide so the pool would be filled. I prepped Dave on the Scorpion fish and we walked along a small rock ridge into the pool and flopped into four feet of crystal clear water. I pointed at a baby scorpion fish and then at a larger scorpion fish. I told him not to touch them. He was wearing a spring suit so i told him to watch his knees on the many urchins. Yesterday while here I accidentally put my hand on one of the devils and the tiny points broke off into my palm. It didn't really hurt but startled me. Thankfully it was only three pokes, not too deep. We swam around I and i showed him different areas of the pool and we went our seperate ways to voyeur on the many animals. I spotted a black nudibranch with flourescent yellow and purple-blue spots. It was awesome. I've never seen one and I was able to now look at it in crystal clear water in front of my nose. I met up with dave by the diving platform, aka boulder. I motioned for him to look at something. It was a giant sun star slowly climbing up a rock garden. The sun shone trhough the shallow water in golden patches. I swam around some more. I watched baby surf perch graze in green fields. A mother opale escorted here babies into a further pool. I found a rock ridge with fifty curious fish mesmorized bu my pale garden gloves. I tried to poke the noses of curious top smelt. Some fish in the large pool were nig enough to hunt. But I would never hunt in such a peaceful garden. Dave got out after the chill got to him and I took breaks for hydrating. Jessica had fun in the shallow areas of the tide pools playing with the crabs. I had another awesome time in the fish village.
Additional notes: A group of young teenagers came flopping down the dangerous trail druing our tide pool diving. The boys were gregarious and their lone female counterpart trailed quietly in her skimpy swimsuit. The grouped climbed dangerous vantage points where waves almost knocked them down. They didn't keep an eye on the sets the came over the pool's walls. One boy had a snorkel and mask in hand. The grouped walked over to the edge of the pool near the cove's mouth and peered ino the violent waves. then two boys doffed thier trunks and jumped casually into the extreme sea with their boxers. I was impressed. It was quite stupid, they spent about twenty minutes fighting the currents and it seemed that they would swim into the nearby cove for a dangerous exit. But, eventually managed to exit where they leaped into the chaos. They must've done it before. No one was scratched. I kept thinking about the extremely poor visibilty. kelp and chaos they worked with. Maybe they did it just to impress the girl in the bikini!
Secret Garden of Neptune's Cove
Skin Dive#:019
Fri July 04, 08
Neptune's Cove: tidepool
Purpose: have fun during poor conditions
Tide: High @ 12:00 pm
Entry: large, pool-like tide pool @ 2:00 pm
Distance: n/a
Gear: 5/3 suit, mask, snorkel, boots, gloves
Temp: Air 75 F?/Water 62 F?
Enviroment: sunny, marine layer, 2-3 ft breaks to fill the pool
Visibilty: 25 ft
Conditions Synopsis: good
Sights: topsmelt, grunion, opaleye, surf perch, scorpionfish, sea hares, urchins, ochre stars
Exit: same @ 3:30 pm
Time to date: 13 hrs 15 min
Total time this dive: 1 hr 30 min
Total time: 14 hrs 45 min
Special Notes: Today for independance day I wanted to squeeze in a dive so I drove around the coast and noticed all coves were rather violent with breaks. The visibility at the coves was extremely poor from the tops looking down. This bummed me out and I then remembered how much fun tide-pool diving can be. So I thought hard and drove over to the secluded Neptune's Cove in Palos Verdes. I parked and hopped the rail that says, "Unstable Cliffs. Do not climb over. Do Not Even Think About It!". Once by the trail looking down I saw the usual fishermen standing on rocks with waves breaking at there legs, spraying high. This is the fishing spot where a 21 year old man went missing during winter. His friend was knocked into the water and the 21 year old jumped in, saved him, but was violently hit by a break that took him under never to be seen again. Numerous searches revealed no signs of the man. This tragic story did not fase me as I would not be near the waves. I would be in the water pool behind the rocks that get pounded by the surf. Here in the pool, there are many, many fish. The water level in dependant on tides, so it was about 0 ft - 4ft deep at the time of entry. I geared up. I had on the usual gear minus weights and fins. I dropped down into the water about 6 inches deep and barely floated. I stood up. I waled further into the pool. I found an area where I could float and pulled my self around with one glove. The place was like a garden, filled with bright green algae and colorful growths like flowers. Urchins looked like poppy's with there brilliant purples. Small crabs looked large inches under my mask. I went deeper. I sucke din my belly not to get pierced by urchins or unmoving scorpian fish or several sizes. Then, the water opened up to four foot deep and several families of opaleye were grazing on the floor. The visibility here was extremely serence. Probably the most beautiful scenerey I have seen thus far. Fish began to follow me. Scorpion fish would sometimes move away from my shadow and turn colors to match their new position. Sea hares were everywhere. I spent the next hour casually moving along checking out every posssible fish house and familarizing my self with grazing colonies of Opaleyes. I felt like I found a secret garden.
Fri July 04, 08
Neptune's Cove: tidepool
Purpose: have fun during poor conditions
Tide: High @ 12:00 pm
Entry: large, pool-like tide pool @ 2:00 pm
Distance: n/a
Gear: 5/3 suit, mask, snorkel, boots, gloves
Temp: Air 75 F?/Water 62 F?
Enviroment: sunny, marine layer, 2-3 ft breaks to fill the pool
Visibilty: 25 ft
Conditions Synopsis: good
Sights: topsmelt, grunion, opaleye, surf perch, scorpionfish, sea hares, urchins, ochre stars
Exit: same @ 3:30 pm
Time to date: 13 hrs 15 min
Total time this dive: 1 hr 30 min
Total time: 14 hrs 45 min
Special Notes: Today for independance day I wanted to squeeze in a dive so I drove around the coast and noticed all coves were rather violent with breaks. The visibility at the coves was extremely poor from the tops looking down. This bummed me out and I then remembered how much fun tide-pool diving can be. So I thought hard and drove over to the secluded Neptune's Cove in Palos Verdes. I parked and hopped the rail that says, "Unstable Cliffs. Do not climb over. Do Not Even Think About It!". Once by the trail looking down I saw the usual fishermen standing on rocks with waves breaking at there legs, spraying high. This is the fishing spot where a 21 year old man went missing during winter. His friend was knocked into the water and the 21 year old jumped in, saved him, but was violently hit by a break that took him under never to be seen again. Numerous searches revealed no signs of the man. This tragic story did not fase me as I would not be near the waves. I would be in the water pool behind the rocks that get pounded by the surf. Here in the pool, there are many, many fish. The water level in dependant on tides, so it was about 0 ft - 4ft deep at the time of entry. I geared up. I had on the usual gear minus weights and fins. I dropped down into the water about 6 inches deep and barely floated. I stood up. I waled further into the pool. I found an area where I could float and pulled my self around with one glove. The place was like a garden, filled with bright green algae and colorful growths like flowers. Urchins looked like poppy's with there brilliant purples. Small crabs looked large inches under my mask. I went deeper. I sucke din my belly not to get pierced by urchins or unmoving scorpian fish or several sizes. Then, the water opened up to four foot deep and several families of opaleye were grazing on the floor. The visibility here was extremely serence. Probably the most beautiful scenerey I have seen thus far. Fish began to follow me. Scorpion fish would sometimes move away from my shadow and turn colors to match their new position. Sea hares were everywhere. I spent the next hour casually moving along checking out every posssible fish house and familarizing my self with grazing colonies of Opaleyes. I felt like I found a secret garden.
June 30, 2008
More Teaching At Christmas Tree Cove
Skin Dive#:018
Sun Jun 29, 08
Christmas Tree Cove: cobblestones, rocks
Purpose: teach friend
Tide: High @ 6:00 pm
Entry: rocks @ 5:15 pm
Distance: in front of cobblestones
Gear: spring suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, gloves
Temp: Air 70 F?/Water 65 F?
Enviroment: partly cloudy, light wind, 1-2 ft breaks, light surge
Visibilty: 5+ ft
Conditions Synopsis: poor
Sights: bait fish, opaleye, surfperch
Exit: same @ 5:45 pm
Time to date: 12 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 30 min
Total time: 13 hrs 15 min
Special Notes: Prior to this dip I was stung by a bee while trying to get a look at a stray chicken in the Malaga Cove parking lot. Sound unusual? It was. My arm had a mild reaction to the sting a small area swelled and became discolored and burned. It went away by the time I was diving.
My sister's boyfriend Jonah wanted to try snorkeling so I had another chance to teach someone. Everything went fine and he had no problems what so ever. The vis was another story. It was the bare minimum as the water was cloudy with all kinds of junk wich, aggravated me since I made a spot check here an hour and a half earlier and was able to see the bottom all the way from the top of the cliff! I guess tides can change all that pretty quickly. So, Jonah and I entered calmly and talked out in the water while bobbing up and down and practicing diving shortly below the surface. He was wearing my full suit which, gave him lots of bouyancy. The fish we did see together were small and in low numbers and the water was dark and cloudy. I bet once he comes back on a 25+ vis day, he'll be quite astonished. That will be a fun day. The onlookers this day were my sister, my girlfried, and my girlfriend's friend from Canada. It was fun, but I wish the vis was anything but 5. It can only get better from there!. After we had our fun in the water the exit was calm as we timed it inbetween the small sets. After I calmed I went back in and saw the ususal schools of opaleye and perch. They like to huddle near the big rock in the shoreline. A lone spearpole-fisher with a hawaiin-barbed point walked by our group. He didn't don or carry a wetsuit. We commented on bad vis.
Sun Jun 29, 08
Christmas Tree Cove: cobblestones, rocks
Purpose: teach friend
Tide: High @ 6:00 pm
Entry: rocks @ 5:15 pm
Distance: in front of cobblestones
Gear: spring suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, gloves
Temp: Air 70 F?/Water 65 F?
Enviroment: partly cloudy, light wind, 1-2 ft breaks, light surge
Visibilty: 5+ ft
Conditions Synopsis: poor
Sights: bait fish, opaleye, surfperch
Exit: same @ 5:45 pm
Time to date: 12 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 30 min
Total time: 13 hrs 15 min
Special Notes: Prior to this dip I was stung by a bee while trying to get a look at a stray chicken in the Malaga Cove parking lot. Sound unusual? It was. My arm had a mild reaction to the sting a small area swelled and became discolored and burned. It went away by the time I was diving.
My sister's boyfriend Jonah wanted to try snorkeling so I had another chance to teach someone. Everything went fine and he had no problems what so ever. The vis was another story. It was the bare minimum as the water was cloudy with all kinds of junk wich, aggravated me since I made a spot check here an hour and a half earlier and was able to see the bottom all the way from the top of the cliff! I guess tides can change all that pretty quickly. So, Jonah and I entered calmly and talked out in the water while bobbing up and down and practicing diving shortly below the surface. He was wearing my full suit which, gave him lots of bouyancy. The fish we did see together were small and in low numbers and the water was dark and cloudy. I bet once he comes back on a 25+ vis day, he'll be quite astonished. That will be a fun day. The onlookers this day were my sister, my girlfried, and my girlfriend's friend from Canada. It was fun, but I wish the vis was anything but 5. It can only get better from there!. After we had our fun in the water the exit was calm as we timed it inbetween the small sets. After I calmed I went back in and saw the ususal schools of opaleye and perch. They like to huddle near the big rock in the shoreline. A lone spearpole-fisher with a hawaiin-barbed point walked by our group. He didn't don or carry a wetsuit. We commented on bad vis.
June 28, 2008
Run In At Pt. Vicente
Skin Dive#:017
Fri Jun 27, 08
Pt. Vicente Fishing Acess: rocks, reefs
Purpose: test new gear
Tide: High @ 5:00 pm
Entry: rocks @ 5:45 pm
Distance: out to boulder and towards left of cove
Gear: 5/3suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood, gloves
Temp: Air 70 F?/Water 64 F?
Enviroment: overcast, light wind, 1-3 ft breaks, light surge
Visibilty: 0-10+ ft
Conditions Synopsis: poor
Sights: bait fish, opaleye, surfperch, sea hare, stars, calico bass, octopus
Exit: same @ 6:15 pm
Time to date: 12 hrs 15 min
Total time this dive: 30 min
Total time: 12 hrs 45 min
Special Notes: Earlier in the week I purchased a new mask and snorkel. I decided to try these out down at Pt. Vicente yesterday after work. I drove over there and recognized some vehicles in the lot and peered oved the cliff. I could see a lone snorkeler with just swmimmin trunks on and two spearfishers gearing up. I quickly loaded my backpack and strapped my wetsuit to it and hiked down. Once down the spearfishers were entering and the snorkeler was about to exit. I geared up and entered over the rocks near the cobblestones. My new mask is ultra low profile and it felt fine. The snorkel keeper felt like it was in the wrong place tho. I will look at that. My new snorkel is another matter, I don't like it. It has a rubber valve near the bottom for easier clearing, but I don't like that it somehow lets in water. My cheapy U.S. divers snorkel works a hundred times better- is lighter, stays closer to my head, and doesn't have leaks. I will spray paint it black and maybe sell the new one. The vis was not too great but opened up nicely in some spots. I was approached by the spearfishers who swam up to me at the boulder in the center of the cove. When they popped up I gave them the OK sign and one dude said, "John Bagge!". And I said, "Who are you?!". He said he was someone's little brother and then I recognized him by face, not by name or association. We exchanged words and chatted about sealife while bobbing up and down in the choppy ocean. They clutched their spears poles and went away searching for a kill. I thought to myself... I try to remove myself from land to get away from everyday life and somehow someone recognizes me in the ocean through mask, snorkel, and hood. It was weird. I swam around and saw MR. Octopus and everytime the dudes killed something I would swim over to them and check it out. They were rowdy. I didn't dive down too much cause I didn't feel 100% with my new gear. But when I did I was reminded of the the weigths strapped to my belt and I enjoyed the ease of going down. I also had a new knife on my belt and practiced taking it out and then re-sheathing it without looking. I exited casually near the cobblestones and then watched one of the spearfishers fumble too long in the breaks, get slammed and loose his catch! I changed back into dry clothes and then chatted more with my peers about diving spots and such. It had been an unusual dip.
Fri Jun 27, 08
Pt. Vicente Fishing Acess: rocks, reefs
Purpose: test new gear
Tide: High @ 5:00 pm
Entry: rocks @ 5:45 pm
Distance: out to boulder and towards left of cove
Gear: 5/3suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood, gloves
Temp: Air 70 F?/Water 64 F?
Enviroment: overcast, light wind, 1-3 ft breaks, light surge
Visibilty: 0-10+ ft
Conditions Synopsis: poor
Sights: bait fish, opaleye, surfperch, sea hare, stars, calico bass, octopus
Exit: same @ 6:15 pm
Time to date: 12 hrs 15 min
Total time this dive: 30 min
Total time: 12 hrs 45 min
Special Notes: Earlier in the week I purchased a new mask and snorkel. I decided to try these out down at Pt. Vicente yesterday after work. I drove over there and recognized some vehicles in the lot and peered oved the cliff. I could see a lone snorkeler with just swmimmin trunks on and two spearfishers gearing up. I quickly loaded my backpack and strapped my wetsuit to it and hiked down. Once down the spearfishers were entering and the snorkeler was about to exit. I geared up and entered over the rocks near the cobblestones. My new mask is ultra low profile and it felt fine. The snorkel keeper felt like it was in the wrong place tho. I will look at that. My new snorkel is another matter, I don't like it. It has a rubber valve near the bottom for easier clearing, but I don't like that it somehow lets in water. My cheapy U.S. divers snorkel works a hundred times better- is lighter, stays closer to my head, and doesn't have leaks. I will spray paint it black and maybe sell the new one. The vis was not too great but opened up nicely in some spots. I was approached by the spearfishers who swam up to me at the boulder in the center of the cove. When they popped up I gave them the OK sign and one dude said, "John Bagge!". And I said, "Who are you?!". He said he was someone's little brother and then I recognized him by face, not by name or association. We exchanged words and chatted about sealife while bobbing up and down in the choppy ocean. They clutched their spears poles and went away searching for a kill. I thought to myself... I try to remove myself from land to get away from everyday life and somehow someone recognizes me in the ocean through mask, snorkel, and hood. It was weird. I swam around and saw MR. Octopus and everytime the dudes killed something I would swim over to them and check it out. They were rowdy. I didn't dive down too much cause I didn't feel 100% with my new gear. But when I did I was reminded of the the weigths strapped to my belt and I enjoyed the ease of going down. I also had a new knife on my belt and practiced taking it out and then re-sheathing it without looking. I exited casually near the cobblestones and then watched one of the spearfishers fumble too long in the breaks, get slammed and loose his catch! I changed back into dry clothes and then chatted more with my peers about diving spots and such. It had been an unusual dip.
June 25, 2008
Some Vis At Little Corona Del Mar
Skin Dive#:016
Tues Jun 24, 08
Little Corona Del Mar: sand, eel grass, kelp, tide pools
Purpose: experience the spot with visibility
Tide: High @ 2:40 pm
Entry: sand @ 1:30 pm
Distance: out to kelp in middle of cove then to the rocks on right
Gear: 5/3suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood, gloves
Temp: Air 80 F?/Water 68 F?
Enviroment: sunny, light wind, 1-3 ft breaks
Visibilty: 4-8 ft
Conditions Synopsis: poor+/fair
Sights: garibaldi, treefish, senorita, bait fish, opaleye, surfperch, snails, kelp crab
Exit: same @ 2:00 pm., then into tide pools
Time to date: 11 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 30 min
Total time: 12 hrs 15 min
Special Notes: I had the privelage to be down in Newport Beach yesterday and waited around until the tide approached high. I noticed earlier in the day that Little Corona was calm so I went back there for my skin dive opposed to some places further down the coast in Laguna that had moderate breaks. So, I lugged down the trail and briefed with the lifeguard and took some time to walk through the rocky shores with my girlfriend. She wore some hard soled slippers and waded into small tide pools. I got geared up for snorkeling. I decided to take the easy entrance in the middle of the cove and see what the vis would allow to see. I swam about 50 yards out and saw thick kelp, swam through the thickness on my sides and it felt sort of foreign so I swam north out of the kelp and began to see eel grass and rocks in areas I previously saw nothing in prior dives with minimal vis. The eel grass looked inviting so I put my gloves into it's blades and looked around. I swam over to the rocky area on the north side and the kelp was minimal so I felt more comfortable and saw a lone garibaldi and several small fish and even a friendly orange crab. The current pushed me around and a had fun seeing the bottom this time. The vis wasn't great, but I enjoyed myself and the things I did see. I exited in the middle with a help from a break and then took off my soft slippers and put on my hard ones and walked into the deep tide pools to the south now without fins. Here I snorkeled without fins in the waves and saw treefish and opaleye in about 1 to 5 ft deep water. That was fun. I stood up when strong little breaks would of pushed me into a rock or crevice. Under the small waves I held onto the rocks with my gloves. The vis was good and I enjoyed the pool like setting. I wrapped it up and we were off.
Tues Jun 24, 08
Little Corona Del Mar: sand, eel grass, kelp, tide pools
Purpose: experience the spot with visibility
Tide: High @ 2:40 pm
Entry: sand @ 1:30 pm
Distance: out to kelp in middle of cove then to the rocks on right
Gear: 5/3suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood, gloves
Temp: Air 80 F?/Water 68 F?
Enviroment: sunny, light wind, 1-3 ft breaks
Visibilty: 4-8 ft
Conditions Synopsis: poor+/fair
Sights: garibaldi, treefish, senorita, bait fish, opaleye, surfperch, snails, kelp crab
Exit: same @ 2:00 pm., then into tide pools
Time to date: 11 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 30 min
Total time: 12 hrs 15 min
Special Notes: I had the privelage to be down in Newport Beach yesterday and waited around until the tide approached high. I noticed earlier in the day that Little Corona was calm so I went back there for my skin dive opposed to some places further down the coast in Laguna that had moderate breaks. So, I lugged down the trail and briefed with the lifeguard and took some time to walk through the rocky shores with my girlfriend. She wore some hard soled slippers and waded into small tide pools. I got geared up for snorkeling. I decided to take the easy entrance in the middle of the cove and see what the vis would allow to see. I swam about 50 yards out and saw thick kelp, swam through the thickness on my sides and it felt sort of foreign so I swam north out of the kelp and began to see eel grass and rocks in areas I previously saw nothing in prior dives with minimal vis. The eel grass looked inviting so I put my gloves into it's blades and looked around. I swam over to the rocky area on the north side and the kelp was minimal so I felt more comfortable and saw a lone garibaldi and several small fish and even a friendly orange crab. The current pushed me around and a had fun seeing the bottom this time. The vis wasn't great, but I enjoyed myself and the things I did see. I exited in the middle with a help from a break and then took off my soft slippers and put on my hard ones and walked into the deep tide pools to the south now without fins. Here I snorkeled without fins in the waves and saw treefish and opaleye in about 1 to 5 ft deep water. That was fun. I stood up when strong little breaks would of pushed me into a rock or crevice. Under the small waves I held onto the rocks with my gloves. The vis was good and I enjoyed the pool like setting. I wrapped it up and we were off.
June 23, 2008
Aquarium Conditions At Christmas Tree Cove
Skin Dive#:015
Sun Jun 22, 08
Christmas Tree Cove: rocks, reefs
Purpose: Try weights and take advantage of great conditions
Tide: High @ 1:30 pm
Entry: cobblestone @ 1:30 pm
Distance: out to point on left side, twice
Gear: 5/3suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood, gloves
Temp: Air 80 F/Water 68 F
Enviroment: sunny, hot and flat
Visibilty: up to 20ft+
Conditions Synopsis: Good
Sights: sea stars, urchins, garibaldi, calico bass, white bass, possibly young black bass, rockfish, treefish, senorita, opaleye, surfperch, sargo, sea hares, octopus, snails
Exit: same @ 3:30 pm
Time to date: 9 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 2 hrs
Total time: 11 hrs 45 min
Special Notes: As I was heading down to Christmas Tree Cove two spearfishers were coming up the trail and we chatted a bit about the great conditions. It was their first time there and they said they had fun and understand why it's sometimes referred to as 'Crystal Cove'. I agrreed and made my way to the bottom.
I geared up and and went in with a new addition to my skin diving (snorkeling) gear: 12 lbs of weight on a rubber belt. This was my first time using weights and boy did it increase the fun. I was able to stare down an octopus while on the bottom and practically swim with the fish. A couple times I banged on the lead weights with my knuckles and watched the fish change expressions. I was also wearing some cheap gardening gloves that did the trick real well of kepping my hands unscathed. I even managed to help a floating sea hare find a rock to sit on. Something that is funny that happened... I tried to entice a school of perch with my pale gloves. They seemed to almost be in a slight trance as I performed interpretive glove dances for them in the shallows! It was a great 2 hours in the water. At one point I got out for some liquid and went right back out. I practiced equalizing my ears. I can get down to over 10 ft. and feel comfortbale. In the middle of the dive I found a working flashlight. Out half way through the cove on the left here is a funny little rocky mini - tunnel. It's not completely covered so I dove into it and imagnined what cave diving must feel like. Also, I realized all the discarded spark plugs are what people used for fishing weights, shame. I'll have to bring a bag and collect and throw them away. Later in the week high tide will be conveniently timed after I get off work. I hope conditions stay great.
Sun Jun 22, 08
Christmas Tree Cove: rocks, reefs
Purpose: Try weights and take advantage of great conditions
Tide: High @ 1:30 pm
Entry: cobblestone @ 1:30 pm
Distance: out to point on left side, twice
Gear: 5/3suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood, gloves
Temp: Air 80 F/Water 68 F
Enviroment: sunny, hot and flat
Visibilty: up to 20ft+
Conditions Synopsis: Good
Sights: sea stars, urchins, garibaldi, calico bass, white bass, possibly young black bass, rockfish, treefish, senorita, opaleye, surfperch, sargo, sea hares, octopus, snails
Exit: same @ 3:30 pm
Time to date: 9 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 2 hrs
Total time: 11 hrs 45 min
Special Notes: As I was heading down to Christmas Tree Cove two spearfishers were coming up the trail and we chatted a bit about the great conditions. It was their first time there and they said they had fun and understand why it's sometimes referred to as 'Crystal Cove'. I agrreed and made my way to the bottom.
I geared up and and went in with a new addition to my skin diving (snorkeling) gear: 12 lbs of weight on a rubber belt. This was my first time using weights and boy did it increase the fun. I was able to stare down an octopus while on the bottom and practically swim with the fish. A couple times I banged on the lead weights with my knuckles and watched the fish change expressions. I was also wearing some cheap gardening gloves that did the trick real well of kepping my hands unscathed. I even managed to help a floating sea hare find a rock to sit on. Something that is funny that happened... I tried to entice a school of perch with my pale gloves. They seemed to almost be in a slight trance as I performed interpretive glove dances for them in the shallows! It was a great 2 hours in the water. At one point I got out for some liquid and went right back out. I practiced equalizing my ears. I can get down to over 10 ft. and feel comfortbale. In the middle of the dive I found a working flashlight. Out half way through the cove on the left here is a funny little rocky mini - tunnel. It's not completely covered so I dove into it and imagnined what cave diving must feel like. Also, I realized all the discarded spark plugs are what people used for fishing weights, shame. I'll have to bring a bag and collect and throw them away. Later in the week high tide will be conveniently timed after I get off work. I hope conditions stay great.
June 21, 2008
Teaching A Friend At Christmas Tree Cove
Skin Dive#:014
Sat Jun 21, 08
Christmas Tree Cove: rocks, reefs
Purpose: teach a friend to snorkel and see fish
Tide: High @ 1:00 pm
Entry: cobblestone @ aprrox 3:00 pm
Distance: around shore and rocks with friend, out to point later
Gear: 5/3suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood
Temp: Air 80 F/Water 68 F
Enviroment: sunny and hot 0-2 ft breaks, slight surge
Visibilty: 5-15 ft
Conditions Synopsis: Fair
Sights: sea stars, urchins, garibaldi, sea bass, rockfish, senorita, opaleye, surfperch, sargo, sea hare
Exit: same @ approx 4:30 pm
Time to date: 8 hrs 30 min
Total time this dive: 1 hr 15 min
Total time: 9 hrs 45 min
Special Notes: My friend Omar has heard me talk about snorkeling and really took interest in the subject. He is a complete newbie and I didn't mind offering him a crash course in snokeling off Christmas Tree Cove. Yes, it was strenuous for him but, he had fun and he accomplished it. Now that he has done a rocky shore snorkel, i'm positive he will have fun at a sandy entrance... We arrived and once looking over the edge off the hill I knew it was a clear day in the water. We got down and he barely slipped into an XL 4mm wetsuit I had purchased off ebay for a mere $60 and I drilled him on waves, tides, gear, and the usual stuff. I went in with my gear and had him wade out without fins to try the mask and snorkel in water. He had a hard time at first but I coached him and then we exited and grabbed the rest of his gear. Once in the water and trying to put on fins he fumbled in the shallows. He's actual not that athletic and I spent a lot of mental and physical energy getting him grounded. A little later we were off checking out the rocks on the left side after he showed me he was comfortable swimming and enjoying himself. About a half hour after starting, he said that the only fish he saw was the orange garibaldi which, astonished me as I pointed out and even swam through some schools of fish while with him at my side. He might have poor vision or just doesnt' have the eye for seeing fish. I told him to look closer for grey and brown fish, because there's lots of them. The exit was eventful. He managed to loose both fins in a break and I made him wade back and grab them since I was actually barefoot during this skin dive. We only had one pair of socks so I let him use them. Me being barefoot and him being virgin to rocks, we probably looked really awkard coming over the cobblestones. On our bellies we braced ourselves for the small waves that felt larger than life. Haha, I'm proud of him. He said he wanted to learn to snorkel and boy did he. Once we were both out and safe I had to go back in and get my kicks out on my own. I swam up the left side and enjoyed some new terrain and saw a cool sea hare on a lonely rock. The garibaldis were bold as always. By the time I exited the water signs of "not-so-high tide" was apparent. The rocks were showing their green algae in the open air. Tomorrow should be great weather again. I have some weights and a belt I've been meaning to try. I'll plan that for tomorrow.
-Seaschralped-
Sat Jun 21, 08
Christmas Tree Cove: rocks, reefs
Purpose: teach a friend to snorkel and see fish
Tide: High @ 1:00 pm
Entry: cobblestone @ aprrox 3:00 pm
Distance: around shore and rocks with friend, out to point later
Gear: 5/3suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood
Temp: Air 80 F/Water 68 F
Enviroment: sunny and hot 0-2 ft breaks, slight surge
Visibilty: 5-15 ft
Conditions Synopsis: Fair
Sights: sea stars, urchins, garibaldi, sea bass, rockfish, senorita, opaleye, surfperch, sargo, sea hare
Exit: same @ approx 4:30 pm
Time to date: 8 hrs 30 min
Total time this dive: 1 hr 15 min
Total time: 9 hrs 45 min
Special Notes: My friend Omar has heard me talk about snorkeling and really took interest in the subject. He is a complete newbie and I didn't mind offering him a crash course in snokeling off Christmas Tree Cove. Yes, it was strenuous for him but, he had fun and he accomplished it. Now that he has done a rocky shore snorkel, i'm positive he will have fun at a sandy entrance... We arrived and once looking over the edge off the hill I knew it was a clear day in the water. We got down and he barely slipped into an XL 4mm wetsuit I had purchased off ebay for a mere $60 and I drilled him on waves, tides, gear, and the usual stuff. I went in with my gear and had him wade out without fins to try the mask and snorkel in water. He had a hard time at first but I coached him and then we exited and grabbed the rest of his gear. Once in the water and trying to put on fins he fumbled in the shallows. He's actual not that athletic and I spent a lot of mental and physical energy getting him grounded. A little later we were off checking out the rocks on the left side after he showed me he was comfortable swimming and enjoying himself. About a half hour after starting, he said that the only fish he saw was the orange garibaldi which, astonished me as I pointed out and even swam through some schools of fish while with him at my side. He might have poor vision or just doesnt' have the eye for seeing fish. I told him to look closer for grey and brown fish, because there's lots of them. The exit was eventful. He managed to loose both fins in a break and I made him wade back and grab them since I was actually barefoot during this skin dive. We only had one pair of socks so I let him use them. Me being barefoot and him being virgin to rocks, we probably looked really awkard coming over the cobblestones. On our bellies we braced ourselves for the small waves that felt larger than life. Haha, I'm proud of him. He said he wanted to learn to snorkel and boy did he. Once we were both out and safe I had to go back in and get my kicks out on my own. I swam up the left side and enjoyed some new terrain and saw a cool sea hare on a lonely rock. The garibaldis were bold as always. By the time I exited the water signs of "not-so-high tide" was apparent. The rocks were showing their green algae in the open air. Tomorrow should be great weather again. I have some weights and a belt I've been meaning to try. I'll plan that for tomorrow.
-Seaschralped-
June 09, 2008
Mildly Chaotic in the Portugeuse Pt. Tide Pools
Below: getting ready to flop in
Skin Dive#:013
Sat Jun 07, 08
Portuguese Point: tide pools, rocks
Purpose: get wet and have fun, test new fins
Tide: High @ 2:00 pm
Entry: rocks and reefs @ 3:30 pm
Distance: 50 yds to rocks
Gear: 5/3suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood
Temp: Air 75 F/Water 58 F
Enviroment: partly cloudy, light wind, 1-3 ft breaks, textured surface
Visibilty: 0-10 ft
Conditions Synopsis: Poor
Sights: lots of: sea stars, urchins, cracked mussels, algae, kelp, some treefish
Exit: same @ 4:00 pm
Time to date: 8 hrs
Total time this dive: 30 min
Total time: 8 hrs 30 min
Special Notes: I parked by the fire station and hiked over to the cove south of Portugeuse Point. This put me directly behind Abalone Cove at the unofficial nude beach. There were fisherman down at the bottom of the steep trail and I geared up and entered over a large tide pool area that was sort of clear and maneuvered around in 2 to 10ft of water with some strong current. Being confined in such tight places I was able to really look at things that I otherwise overlook, like algae and discarded shells. I mostly used my hands to get about but then swam out of the tide pools passing through a funny current that came from the nearby exit of a cave and then climbed onto a big rock and walked over to the front of the cave. The waves going in the cave were not to be messed with so I walked back to the rock ledge I used and waited for a good swell to flop back in. On the flop I hit my knee on a hidden rock that was covered with seaweed, but luckily it didn't do anything besides surprise me. I spent the rest of the time wiggling in and out and over rocks. All in all this dip was strange and foreign due to the shallow water and wave action. I still need to get some good gloves and hard soled sippers. My soft slippers now have a big toe popping thru em. I also used some new fins that I got at the thrift, just had to replace the straps. They work great!
-Seaschralped-
Skin Dive#:013
Sat Jun 07, 08
Portuguese Point: tide pools, rocks
Purpose: get wet and have fun, test new fins
Tide: High @ 2:00 pm
Entry: rocks and reefs @ 3:30 pm
Distance: 50 yds to rocks
Gear: 5/3suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood
Temp: Air 75 F/Water 58 F
Enviroment: partly cloudy, light wind, 1-3 ft breaks, textured surface
Visibilty: 0-10 ft
Conditions Synopsis: Poor
Sights: lots of: sea stars, urchins, cracked mussels, algae, kelp, some treefish
Exit: same @ 4:00 pm
Time to date: 8 hrs
Total time this dive: 30 min
Total time: 8 hrs 30 min
Special Notes: I parked by the fire station and hiked over to the cove south of Portugeuse Point. This put me directly behind Abalone Cove at the unofficial nude beach. There were fisherman down at the bottom of the steep trail and I geared up and entered over a large tide pool area that was sort of clear and maneuvered around in 2 to 10ft of water with some strong current. Being confined in such tight places I was able to really look at things that I otherwise overlook, like algae and discarded shells. I mostly used my hands to get about but then swam out of the tide pools passing through a funny current that came from the nearby exit of a cave and then climbed onto a big rock and walked over to the front of the cave. The waves going in the cave were not to be messed with so I walked back to the rock ledge I used and waited for a good swell to flop back in. On the flop I hit my knee on a hidden rock that was covered with seaweed, but luckily it didn't do anything besides surprise me. I spent the rest of the time wiggling in and out and over rocks. All in all this dip was strange and foreign due to the shallow water and wave action. I still need to get some good gloves and hard soled sippers. My soft slippers now have a big toe popping thru em. I also used some new fins that I got at the thrift, just had to replace the straps. They work great!
-Seaschralped-
May 31, 2008
Christmas Tree Cove, Yet Again
Below: I realized, most of the schools I've been seeing are senoritas
Below: girls on the usually uncrowded shoreline
Skin Dive#:012
Fri April 30, 08
Christmas Tree Cove: boulders, reefs, crevices, cobblestone
Purpose: swim for exercise
Tide: High @ 6:30 pm
Entry: cobblestone middle of cove @ 6:30 pm
Distance: 75 yds out to the right side of cove, also 25 yards to the left side
Gear: 5/3suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood
Temp: Air 68 F/Water 60 F
Enviroment: partly cloudy, light wind, 2-3 ft breaks, textured surface, surge
Visibilty: 10 ft
Conditions Synopsis: Poor
Sights: garibaldi, topsmelt, perch, bass, senoritas
Exit: cobblestone middle of cove @ 7:00 pm
Time to date: 7 hrs 30 min
Total time this dive: 30 min
Total time: 8 hrs
Special Notes: This time from the top of the cove the conditions did not look too good, the swell had picked up and there was some foam on the water. The same spearfishing from a few days ago was exiting the water. He said it's not so good. There was also a few young girls as an audience. That made it feel like a beach. I swam to the right, turned around after realizing only ten foot vis in the bestter spots then swam a little ways up the left side after playing near the cobblestones. The left side was definetley more clear overall. Less sand in the water, higher and dense bank of boulders from the start. I'll make sure to check that area out more. Heard it goes to a nice reef and crevices out by point.
-Seaschralped-
Below: girls on the usually uncrowded shoreline
Skin Dive#:012
Fri April 30, 08
Christmas Tree Cove: boulders, reefs, crevices, cobblestone
Purpose: swim for exercise
Tide: High @ 6:30 pm
Entry: cobblestone middle of cove @ 6:30 pm
Distance: 75 yds out to the right side of cove, also 25 yards to the left side
Gear: 5/3suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood
Temp: Air 68 F/Water 60 F
Enviroment: partly cloudy, light wind, 2-3 ft breaks, textured surface, surge
Visibilty: 10 ft
Conditions Synopsis: Poor
Sights: garibaldi, topsmelt, perch, bass, senoritas
Exit: cobblestone middle of cove @ 7:00 pm
Time to date: 7 hrs 30 min
Total time this dive: 30 min
Total time: 8 hrs
Special Notes: This time from the top of the cove the conditions did not look too good, the swell had picked up and there was some foam on the water. The same spearfishing from a few days ago was exiting the water. He said it's not so good. There was also a few young girls as an audience. That made it feel like a beach. I swam to the right, turned around after realizing only ten foot vis in the bestter spots then swam a little ways up the left side after playing near the cobblestones. The left side was definetley more clear overall. Less sand in the water, higher and dense bank of boulders from the start. I'll make sure to check that area out more. Heard it goes to a nice reef and crevices out by point.
-Seaschralped-
May 29, 2008
Christmas Tree Cove Again
Below: guitarfish are fun to watch and they can be a pleasant surprise.
Skin Dive#:011
Thur April 29, 08
Christmas Tree Cove: boulders, crevices, cobblestone
Purpose: take advantage of good conditions, swim for exercise
Tide: High @ 6:00 pm
Entry: cobblestone middle of cove @ 6:30 pm
Distance: 125 yds out to the right side of cove
Gear: 5/3suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood
Temp: Air 68 F/Water 60 F
Enviroment: sunny, light wind, 1 ft ankle breaks, textured surface, light surge
Visibilty: 15-25 ft out by boulders
Conditions Synopsis: Fair+
Sights: garibaldi, black surfperch, sargo, calico bass, 4+ ft shovelnose guitarfish
Exit: cobblestone middle of cove @ 7:15 pm
Time to date: 6 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 45 min
Total time: 7 hrs 30 min
Special Notes: Again, from the top of the trail I could tell the visibilty was good. I entered in same spot and swam a little further out and was able to get closer to the rocks on the side due to decrease in surge. It was peaceful. Saw the usual of variety of fish. On way back lingered in one area and a small bait fish hung out with me at eye level. Silly little thing. There was also a couple large schools of medium sized fish I swam through. This would have been an ideal time to have a large net. Once I was done I ran into a large shovelnose guitarfish in about 5 feet deep of really clear water in the cobblestones. He was 4 ft or longer. I managed to follow him for 20 yards until a wave came and dirtied the water. He was majestic and wiggled like a snake. After seeign him I hung out in the general area waiting for him, did not see him again. I noticed that when the cobblestone is clear, fish love to be in this low level of waters and find me to be quite spooky upon seeing me. They really dart. It may have to be with the fact that I approached them from the water side of the area not the land side, and this left them with no initial and unusual warnings. One of these times I'll enter off the large rocks and swim into the cobblestones when there's no waves and look for the guitarfish again. He was cool.
-Seaschralped-
Skin Dive#:011
Thur April 29, 08
Christmas Tree Cove: boulders, crevices, cobblestone
Purpose: take advantage of good conditions, swim for exercise
Tide: High @ 6:00 pm
Entry: cobblestone middle of cove @ 6:30 pm
Distance: 125 yds out to the right side of cove
Gear: 5/3suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood
Temp: Air 68 F/Water 60 F
Enviroment: sunny, light wind, 1 ft ankle breaks, textured surface, light surge
Visibilty: 15-25 ft out by boulders
Conditions Synopsis: Fair+
Sights: garibaldi, black surfperch, sargo, calico bass, 4+ ft shovelnose guitarfish
Exit: cobblestone middle of cove @ 7:15 pm
Time to date: 6 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 45 min
Total time: 7 hrs 30 min
Special Notes: Again, from the top of the trail I could tell the visibilty was good. I entered in same spot and swam a little further out and was able to get closer to the rocks on the side due to decrease in surge. It was peaceful. Saw the usual of variety of fish. On way back lingered in one area and a small bait fish hung out with me at eye level. Silly little thing. There was also a couple large schools of medium sized fish I swam through. This would have been an ideal time to have a large net. Once I was done I ran into a large shovelnose guitarfish in about 5 feet deep of really clear water in the cobblestones. He was 4 ft or longer. I managed to follow him for 20 yards until a wave came and dirtied the water. He was majestic and wiggled like a snake. After seeign him I hung out in the general area waiting for him, did not see him again. I noticed that when the cobblestone is clear, fish love to be in this low level of waters and find me to be quite spooky upon seeing me. They really dart. It may have to be with the fact that I approached them from the water side of the area not the land side, and this left them with no initial and unusual warnings. One of these times I'll enter off the large rocks and swim into the cobblestones when there's no waves and look for the guitarfish again. He was cool.
-Seaschralped-
May 28, 2008
Christmas Tree Cove
Skin Dive#:010
Thur April 28, 08
Christmas Tree Cove: boulders, gravel
Purpose: first time at spot, take advantage of good conditions
Tide: High @ 5:30 pm
Entry: cobblestone middle of cove @ 6:45 pm
Distance: 75 yds out to the right side of cove
Gear: 5/3suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood
Temp: Air 68 F/Water 58 F
Enviroment: sunny, light wind, 2 ft ankle breaks, textured surface, surge
Visibilty: 5ft near shore, mostly 15-25 ft out by boulders
Conditions Synopsis: Good
Sights: large garibaldi, surf perch, sargo, various kelp fish, large calico bass
Exit: cobblestone middle of cove @ 7:15 pm
Time to date: 6 hrs 15 min
Total time this dive: 30 min
Total time: 6 hrs 45 min
Special Notes: From the top of the steep goat trail the water looked a welcoming green and the kelp and some boulders were visible through the water. I also could see one fellow in the cove with free diving gear so I knew it must be a fine dive. Once down the dude was leaving and said it was 20 ft vis in the good areas and that he bagged a couple perch. He was right, after a short swim past the murkiness and into the middle of the cove the vis jumped to a solid 20 ft. If the sun was more above in the sky it would have illuminated the floor better. Now thinking about it, the vis was 20+ ft. I saw many fish and a couple legal sized bass. Fun place. Lots of eye candy. I used the dolphin kick to move around to try something new. It felt funny, but worked fine. I got out of the water when the sun was trying to hide behind the hill. Will come back with a friend. I also want to try the east side of the cove.
-Seaschralped-
Back At Pt. Vicente
Below: the nice walk down
Skin Dive#:009
Thur April 27, 08
Pt. Vicente Fishing Access: rocks, crevices
Purpose: first use of new wetsuit, show friend spot, rehab my calf
Tide: High @ 5 pm
Entry: rocks @ 6:30 pm
Distance: 10 - 100 yds offshore and about length of cove
Gear: 5/3suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood
Temp: Air 68 F/Water 58-60 F
Enviroment: scattered clouds, wind, 2 ft ankle breaks, choppy, strong surge
Visibilty: 5-15 ft, mostly 10 ft
Conditions Synopsis: Poor+/Fair
Sights: large garibaldi, surf perch, sargo, various kelp fish (ufo's)
Exit: rocks @ 7 pm
Time to date: 5 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 30 min
Total time: 6 hrs 15 min
Special Notes: Last thursday while swimming at the Y and diving to the bottom (with no fins) to play and equalize my ears I managed to get a really bad leg cramp in my left calf. It was completely paralyzing and I limped for a good day. It took about three days to actually feel normal. When I asked the lifeguard about it, he said it's from overexertion or even more likely from dehydration. I was dehydrated, and I swam for the longest and hardest ever that night. He helped me stretch it out and told me how to take care of it and stay hydrated, which I knew, but didn't practice, obviously. It's happened to him before in a swim meet so he just kept going with his good leg until that cramped up and then he was completely screwed. His soreness lasted several days, in both legs. he told me to eat a banana before swimming. So, I'm learnign to take care of my body more to prevent another leg cramp. For some reason, if it happens in the ocean, I'll be prepared for the discomfort, etc. I'll need to float on my back, stick the leg in the air, massage it with one hand and swim back to shore with the other. Pretty hard, that's where a dive buddy is a nescessity.
So this was my first skin dive since that leg cramp happened. Victor came with me and we got in the water an hour after high tide. Ideally, I'd want to be there a half hour before high tide because the currents get a bit stronger on that side of PV during tide change. The little half hour of calmness rigth before peak tide and right after would have made a slight difference in the dive. Same entry as last time, same exit. We swam out to the big rock and peered for rays in the sand. There was more fish life overall in the cove than the last time I was here. Saw many garibaldi. Fun dive. We cut it short cause my knee began to feel loose after spending days with a sore calf and then finally swimming again. Also, sun sets earlier here than Malaga due to positioning of the spot.
Skin Dive#:009
Thur April 27, 08
Pt. Vicente Fishing Access: rocks, crevices
Purpose: first use of new wetsuit, show friend spot, rehab my calf
Tide: High @ 5 pm
Entry: rocks @ 6:30 pm
Distance: 10 - 100 yds offshore and about length of cove
Gear: 5/3suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood
Temp: Air 68 F/Water 58-60 F
Enviroment: scattered clouds, wind, 2 ft ankle breaks, choppy, strong surge
Visibilty: 5-15 ft, mostly 10 ft
Conditions Synopsis: Poor+/Fair
Sights: large garibaldi, surf perch, sargo, various kelp fish (ufo's)
Exit: rocks @ 7 pm
Time to date: 5 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 30 min
Total time: 6 hrs 15 min
Special Notes: Last thursday while swimming at the Y and diving to the bottom (with no fins) to play and equalize my ears I managed to get a really bad leg cramp in my left calf. It was completely paralyzing and I limped for a good day. It took about three days to actually feel normal. When I asked the lifeguard about it, he said it's from overexertion or even more likely from dehydration. I was dehydrated, and I swam for the longest and hardest ever that night. He helped me stretch it out and told me how to take care of it and stay hydrated, which I knew, but didn't practice, obviously. It's happened to him before in a swim meet so he just kept going with his good leg until that cramped up and then he was completely screwed. His soreness lasted several days, in both legs. he told me to eat a banana before swimming. So, I'm learnign to take care of my body more to prevent another leg cramp. For some reason, if it happens in the ocean, I'll be prepared for the discomfort, etc. I'll need to float on my back, stick the leg in the air, massage it with one hand and swim back to shore with the other. Pretty hard, that's where a dive buddy is a nescessity.
So this was my first skin dive since that leg cramp happened. Victor came with me and we got in the water an hour after high tide. Ideally, I'd want to be there a half hour before high tide because the currents get a bit stronger on that side of PV during tide change. The little half hour of calmness rigth before peak tide and right after would have made a slight difference in the dive. Same entry as last time, same exit. We swam out to the big rock and peered for rays in the sand. There was more fish life overall in the cove than the last time I was here. Saw many garibaldi. Fun dive. We cut it short cause my knee began to feel loose after spending days with a sore calf and then finally swimming again. Also, sun sets earlier here than Malaga due to positioning of the spot.
May 18, 2008
Spot Check/Abalone Cove Sea Caves
Below: strong waves and currents at cave mouth
Spot Check#:001
Sun May 18, 08 - 5pm
Abalone Cove: rocks, channels, sea caves
Tide: High @ 8 pm
Entry: n/a
Distance: n/a
Gear: spring suit, socks, shoes
Temp: Air 79 F/Water 58F
Enviroment: sunny, windy, 3-4 ft waist breaks, choppy
Visibilty: n/a
Sights: location of sea caves
Exit: n/a
Time to date: 5 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 0 hrs
Total time: 5 hrs 45 min
Special Notes: Walked down to the shore with friends and climbed around the south rock wall past some weathered fisherman. We came to a 15' wide channel with strong currents and had to throw our gear over to the other side, jump in and climb out over rocks. it was very sketchy but, fun. Cut my hand and knee. We walked a little further and and came to the wider channel wich was the mouth to sea caves. The currents were too strong and the breaks to large to swim. They would have thrown you into the caves walls or out of the channel all together. I really want to come back here on a neatral or lower high tide during calm conditions and swim through/explore the caves. I believe the strong currents was due to tide changes. Will bring gloves and buddy for sure.
Spot Check#:001
Sun May 18, 08 - 5pm
Abalone Cove: rocks, channels, sea caves
Tide: High @ 8 pm
Entry: n/a
Distance: n/a
Gear: spring suit, socks, shoes
Temp: Air 79 F/Water 58F
Enviroment: sunny, windy, 3-4 ft waist breaks, choppy
Visibilty: n/a
Sights: location of sea caves
Exit: n/a
Time to date: 5 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 0 hrs
Total time: 5 hrs 45 min
Special Notes: Walked down to the shore with friends and climbed around the south rock wall past some weathered fisherman. We came to a 15' wide channel with strong currents and had to throw our gear over to the other side, jump in and climb out over rocks. it was very sketchy but, fun. Cut my hand and knee. We walked a little further and and came to the wider channel wich was the mouth to sea caves. The currents were too strong and the breaks to large to swim. They would have thrown you into the caves walls or out of the channel all together. I really want to come back here on a neatral or lower high tide during calm conditions and swim through/explore the caves. I believe the strong currents was due to tide changes. Will bring gloves and buddy for sure.
May 16, 2008
Fun With A Friend At Malaga
Below: diving with a buddy, woops I drew the snorkel on the wrong side.
Skin Dive#:008
Thur April 15, 08
Malaga Cove: sand, reefs, kelp beds
Tide: High @ 7:30 pm
Entry: sand @ 7 pm
Distance: 200 yrds out
Gear: spring suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood
Temp: Air 70 F/Water 58-61 F
Enviroment: overcast, light wind, 1-2 ft ankle breaks, calm, no surge
Visibilty: 5-20 ft
Conditions Synopsis: Good
Sights: sand dabs, mackerel, various kelp fish
Exit: sand @ 8 pm
Time to date: 4 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 1 hrs
Total time: 5 hrs 45 min
Special Notes: my friend Victor dove with me. It was his first dive and he is extremely comfortable at diving. We swam further out than I have before and we practiced diving to 10 ft depths and chasing fish and collecting shells. The cove was alive with divers... In the parking lot there were duded gearing up for scuba and when we got down the path there was already three skin diver's in the water. Later in the dive two spear fishers came in. Including us, there was 11 divers in the water at one point. When we were done diving we were high. it was great feeling. I am excited about diving with my friend again.
Skin Dive#:008
Thur April 15, 08
Malaga Cove: sand, reefs, kelp beds
Tide: High @ 7:30 pm
Entry: sand @ 7 pm
Distance: 200 yrds out
Gear: spring suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood
Temp: Air 70 F/Water 58-61 F
Enviroment: overcast, light wind, 1-2 ft ankle breaks, calm, no surge
Visibilty: 5-20 ft
Conditions Synopsis: Good
Sights: sand dabs, mackerel, various kelp fish
Exit: sand @ 8 pm
Time to date: 4 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 1 hrs
Total time: 5 hrs 45 min
Special Notes: my friend Victor dove with me. It was his first dive and he is extremely comfortable at diving. We swam further out than I have before and we practiced diving to 10 ft depths and chasing fish and collecting shells. The cove was alive with divers... In the parking lot there were duded gearing up for scuba and when we got down the path there was already three skin diver's in the water. Later in the dive two spear fishers came in. Including us, there was 11 divers in the water at one point. When we were done diving we were high. it was great feeling. I am excited about diving with my friend again.
May 15, 2008
Best Malaga Free Dive yet
Skin Dive#:006
Wed April 14, 08
Malaga Cove: sand, shallow reefs, kelp beds
Tide: High @ 7 pm
Entry: sand @ 6:45 pm
Distance: 150 yrds out
Gear: spring suit, mask, snorkel, socks, hood
Temp: Air 72 F/Water 58-61 F
Enviroment: sunny, no wind, 1-2 ft ankle breaks, flat, calm
Visibilty: 10-20 ft
Sights: pair 12" leopard sharks, angel shark, schools of mackerel, a scorpion fish, surfperch, sand dabs
Exit: sand @ 7:30 pm
Time to date: 3 hrs 30 min
Total time this dive: 45 min
Total time: 4 hrs 15 min
Special Notes: As soon as I was under a few feet of water I was in a school of small fish. For the next 45 minutes I swam about chasing schools and some medium sized fish for fun and getting comfortable with diving below the surface out in the kelp beds. Left at sunset - Great free dive.
Wed April 14, 08
Malaga Cove: sand, shallow reefs, kelp beds
Tide: High @ 7 pm
Entry: sand @ 6:45 pm
Distance: 150 yrds out
Gear: spring suit, mask, snorkel, socks, hood
Temp: Air 72 F/Water 58-61 F
Enviroment: sunny, no wind, 1-2 ft ankle breaks, flat, calm
Visibilty: 10-20 ft
Sights: pair 12" leopard sharks, angel shark, schools of mackerel, a scorpion fish, surfperch, sand dabs
Exit: sand @ 7:30 pm
Time to date: 3 hrs 30 min
Total time this dive: 45 min
Total time: 4 hrs 15 min
Special Notes: As soon as I was under a few feet of water I was in a school of small fish. For the next 45 minutes I swam about chasing schools and some medium sized fish for fun and getting comfortable with diving below the surface out in the kelp beds. Left at sunset - Great free dive.
My First Garibaldi / Pt. Vicente
Dive#:007
Thur April 15, 08
Point Vicente Fishing Access: reefs and rocks
Tide: High @ 7:30 am
Entry: west rocks @ 8:00 am
Distance: 50 yards out
Gear: spring suit, mask, snorkel, socks, hood
Temp: Air 70 F/Water 58 F
Enviroment: overcast, light wind, 2-3 ft knee breaks, flat to choppy, strong surge
Visibilty: 10-20 ft
Sights: medium garibaldi, surf perch, small kelp fish, many orange sea stars, many purple urchins
Exit: sand @ 8:30 am
Time to date: 4 hrs 15 min
Total time this dive: 30 min
Total time: 4 hrs 45 min
Special Notes: I drove over to Pt. Vicente Fishing Access and was pleased to see through the water all the way up from the parking lot. I hiked down the goat trail and found a spot wich looked like an easy entry. It was awkward but, I eventually sat down on a rock in the shallow during the calm and jumped right in. Once in the water I was happy to see a good 20+ feet vis and was in deep water already. I really enjoyed all the tiny rock canyons and formations. This place is very scenic in that sense. Exited in middle of cove with somewhat of ease. I'm still getting to know the rocks. All in all, it was a great fee dive. I'm happy to finally know the place. This dive needs gloves and hard soled slippers. I didn't get roughed up but, it was close to being gashed on both the entrance and exit; small surface tear on seat of wetsuit.
May 13, 2008
Revisit to Lil Corona Del Mar
Below: a seal pops up to say, "Hi" upon waiting for the sets to calm
Skin Dive#:005
Sat May 12, 08
Little Corona Del Mar: sand
Tide: High @ 4:45 pm
Entry: sand @ 5:15 pm
Distance: 50 yrds out
Gear: spring suit, mask, snorkel, socks, hood
Temp: Air 68 F/Water 58-60 F
Enviroment: overcast, 3-4 ft waist breaks with 5ft chest standouts, choppy, strong surge
Visibilty: 0-5 ft
Sights: seal
Exit: sand @ 5:30 pm
Time to date: 3 hrs 15 min
Total time this dive: 15 min
Total time: 3 hrs 30 min
Special Notes: I stood on the beach for about 20 minutes studying the sets. I then dipped in and swam out a little ways near the bouy. I saw no life except right before I slipped on my last fin in the shallow entrance a seal popped up 10 ft away to say Hi. All in all the dive was tiring but, very worthwhile because now I will appreciate a flat, calm ocean even more.
Skin Dive#:005
Sat May 12, 08
Little Corona Del Mar: sand
Tide: High @ 4:45 pm
Entry: sand @ 5:15 pm
Distance: 50 yrds out
Gear: spring suit, mask, snorkel, socks, hood
Temp: Air 68 F/Water 58-60 F
Enviroment: overcast, 3-4 ft waist breaks with 5ft chest standouts, choppy, strong surge
Visibilty: 0-5 ft
Sights: seal
Exit: sand @ 5:30 pm
Time to date: 3 hrs 15 min
Total time this dive: 15 min
Total time: 3 hrs 30 min
Special Notes: I stood on the beach for about 20 minutes studying the sets. I then dipped in and swam out a little ways near the bouy. I saw no life except right before I slipped on my last fin in the shallow entrance a seal popped up 10 ft away to say Hi. All in all the dive was tiring but, very worthwhile because now I will appreciate a flat, calm ocean even more.
April 28, 2008
Further Out At Malaga Cove
Below: on the swim out you see sand dabs in the sand
Skin Dive#:004
Sun April 25, 08
Malaga Cove: sand, shallow reefs, kelp beds
Tide: High @ 6:45 pm
Entry: sand @ 5:30 pm
Distance: 100 yrds out
Gear: spring suit, mask, snorkel, socks, hood
Temp: Air 80 F/Water 58-60 F
Enviroment: sunny, no wind, 1-2 ft ankle breaks, flat, surge
Visibilty: 10-15 ft
Conditions Synopsis: Good
Sights: large schools of small silver fish, sand dabs, opaleyes, various kelp fish
Exit: sand @ 6:30 pm
Time to date: 2 hrs 15 min
Total time this dive: 1 hrs
Total time: 3 hrs 15 min
Special Notes: The previous time I came here was my first experience and the conditions were comparable. I entered on the sand and swam out around the shallow reefs near the country club. Items to consider acquiring: knife, gloves, compass, thermometer. While swimming back I found a Redondo Beach man's driver liscence that expired in '03.
Skin Dive#:004
Sun April 25, 08
Malaga Cove: sand, shallow reefs, kelp beds
Tide: High @ 6:45 pm
Entry: sand @ 5:30 pm
Distance: 100 yrds out
Gear: spring suit, mask, snorkel, socks, hood
Temp: Air 80 F/Water 58-60 F
Enviroment: sunny, no wind, 1-2 ft ankle breaks, flat, surge
Visibilty: 10-15 ft
Conditions Synopsis: Good
Sights: large schools of small silver fish, sand dabs, opaleyes, various kelp fish
Exit: sand @ 6:30 pm
Time to date: 2 hrs 15 min
Total time this dive: 1 hrs
Total time: 3 hrs 15 min
Special Notes: The previous time I came here was my first experience and the conditions were comparable. I entered on the sand and swam out around the shallow reefs near the country club. Items to consider acquiring: knife, gloves, compass, thermometer. While swimming back I found a Redondo Beach man's driver liscence that expired in '03.
April 18, 2008
Cabrillo Beach
Skin Dive#:003
Sat April 18, 08
Cabrillo Beach: sand
Tide: High @ 8:30 pm
Entry: sand @ 6:30 pm
Distance: 25 yrds out
Gear: spring suit, mask, snorkel, socks, hood
Temp: Air 65 F/Water 58 F
Enviroment: cloudy, light wind, 1-2 ft ankle breaks, flat, no surge
Visibilty: 0 f
Conditions Synopsis: Poor
Sights: nothing
Exit: sand @ 6:45 pm
Time to date: 2 hrs
Total time this dive: 15 min
Total time: 2 hrs 15 min
Special Notes: tested new gear
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