4/26/2009 - First Dives At Anacapa Island

After twenty years and more than 1400 dives in Southern California, I finally got to dive at Anacapa Island this morning. Merry and I loaded up the truck and headed for our rendezvous with the Moby Kate and headed north.
There was a current and poor visibility off the west end, but we found good conditions nearby on the frontside of the island. The reefs were covered in brittle stars, nudibranchs, sponges and gorgonians. Bull lobsters peered out from their dens while a Sheephead the size of a small car marveled at his reflection in our lenses.
Visibility was twenty feet plus in the 52F water.

Empty launch on a weekday

Rugged, manly divers are we

Capt.Andy discovers electricity

We arrive to a cool, overcast island

Time to gear up

It's too wet down there

Nothing like a little second degree burn to enhance your diving

After three dives at Anacapa we headed back to shore for a fourth dive at the La Janelle breakwater for some Pismo clams. Visibility was only about five feet, but that's all you need for a clam bake.

Someone smells the bivalves

Thanks again to Captains Andy and John for giving us a ride, lots of laughs and a little education along the way...and for the french fries. Merry is really enjoying this retirement thing.