Seal Rock, North Cresent Bay, Laguna Beach

John buzzed over last night after DMing the Great Escape to Santa Barbara Island to meet up with Steve and Jennifer this morning to dive North Cresent.  After gearing up, we headed out and it was decided to dive 'Seal Rock' since conditions were so calm.

Surf:  0

Swell:  0

Surge:  none to minimal at 'The Rock'

Viz:  10-15+

Temp:  BALMY!!!   66-68 degrees AT DEPTH

Max Depth 40'

Bottom Time:  82"

This site always amazes me when the conditions are just right.  Lots of overhangs, swim throughs, mini caves, and crevices to be explored.  Marine life spotted:  two morays sharing a hole inside a small cave; a large single Horn Shark; dozens of sheep crabs scampering about the reef, one with big BLUE claws! More Morays, one Moray sharing a hole face to face with a Horn Shark (missed photo op again!); Giribaldi's guarding their nests; some JV Giribaldi's; tons and tons of fish; schools of Blacksmith, Opal Eye, Surf Perch, and Calico Sea Bass.  I headed towards a rock, then the rock moved seeing it was a GIANT Bull Sea Lion, I quickly dropped down to avoid a confrontation.  He was one of the largest Sea Lions that I have seen out at Seal Rock.

John and I turned around together, due to that he was low on air.  As we turned around, we were surrounded by a giant school of Topsmelt.  Very cool, almost surreal feeling.  Found a couple more Moray's on our way in, a large Halibut scuttled out from underneath us, and we spotted a small sea mount covered in Spanish Shawl's and some that were laying eggs!

82 minutes later, we walked out of the water, sweating...ripping our gloves and hood off in attempts to cool off.  Sure beats the 48-52 degree water we had last weekend in La Bufadora!

Jan

2:44 PM - 6/24/2007 - post comment