Point Lobos

 

Surf:  0

Swell:  0

Surge:  Minimal to none

Temp:  A comfy 54 degrees Suunto  (thought it would be COLDER!)

Dive time:  54"

Max Depth:  47'

Viz:  15-25'

 

Buddy(ies):  My son Nathaniel

 

A group of us headed up to Point Lobos the last weekend of July.  Upon arrivial, it was very dreary: overcast with alot of moisture in the air (typical?).  We feared the worst thinking conditions would be undiveable.  Stopping off at a couple of dive shops, we heard that the reserve was open.  Despite the topside conditions, the opposite was true at the reserve.  Calm waters with the kelp floating nicely at the surface.  We all got geared up and broke up into 5 buddy teams and made our way to the boat ramp.

 

We gingerly made our way due to the slick surface of the moss.  Once in the water, we all felt the cool rush of the cold water enter our wetsuits.  Hmmm...not to bad, we thought.  We then took our heading and made our way out the sand channel to our drop down point in which at that point, we took a 300' heading to the center pinnacle.

 

Dropping down, we immediately entered the vast kelp forest.  It was so thick, we needed our dive lights to see.  I immediately spotted a Monterey Nudibranch!  Unfortunately, I didn't get a photo, for Nathaniel and I were trying to keep up with one of the other buddy teams.  Later on,  I was able to get some pics, but unfortunately, the very first nudi I saw was the only Monterey nudibranch that I had seen.  Others included Hudson's Dorid, Odhner's Dorid, Yellow Edged Cadlina, Yellow Dorid, White Spotted Porostome, and Sea Lemon's. 

 

The marine life was vast.  Other critters spotted included Decorator crabs covered in white finger sponges; large White Spotted Rose anemone; HUGE fish eating Urticina anemones; multitudes of club tipped anemones; Zoanthid anemones found on gorgonians; feather duster worms in an array of colors; feather stars; orange sea cucumbers; Dawson's Sun Stars; and my first...several Gumboot or Gumshoe Chitons!  These reddish/ brown creatures are BIG!

 

The overall site was wonderful with vast reefs, walls, and pinnacles with lots of crevices, channels, and swim throughs.

 

I only did one dive due to having a cold, but I'm glad that I did at least the one I did.  It was great!!!  I look forward to going back, and diving more areas.

 

Sorry for the delayed report, I wanted to make sure I had all the ID's down of the critters I saw before posting.

 

Jan