| Limey Diver |
San Miguel Island July 23rd, 2007We knew the chances of making it out there were slim, but you have to try, right?Besides, even if we didn't make it, it had been a while since we'd dove Anacapa etc. so the backup plan was looking pretty good too. San Miguel is pretty far off shore (for us) -- a 7 hour boat ride or so, and very exposed to the elements. Fortunately, we set off at midnight, so at least got to sleep for one direction. We were back on the Peace boat, and I'd forgotten how cool the boat was. Really nice crew, really nice food, the bunks have been redone and they fill nitrox -- what more could we need?   We had some concerns about the amount of spear fishers that were on board. I don't have anything against people catching some food for their lunch, but as a buddy pointed out "I hadn't seen that many spears since Lord of the bloody rings." I do kind of get a little ticked off when I have to kick like heck around the reef trying to see the fish before someone has shot them all! (And honestly how can shooting Sheepshead -- the underwater cows -- be much sport?) Maybe I'm just ticked off that those guys did not want to share their catch :D The Island (pic I think is courtesy of the parks service)  I believe our first dive was in or around Adams cove (Captain said we were on the far west side of the Island) I must admit there were plenty of times during the night that I was certain we would not make it out (the boat seemed to be fully out of the water at times), but we did wake up at 7am or so, cruising our way toward the island, albeit with a bit of a swell, and no sign of the sun (yeah, we are spoiled !) The Island   On dive1, the current was pulling a bit westward and toward the shore. Staying with the anchor line on the surface was tricky, so we descended ASAP into .... well, not the best vis. The current was running on the bottom, and the vis was interrupted by millions of tiny little fish that basically scuppered any chance of video.  I did manage to get a couple of decent shots, but not much  The water temp was a chilly 54-55F (chilly for us :) and I was regretting not adding my 200 thinsulate vest! The Island definitely reminds me of Northern California, and even Seattle diving. Some kind of rockfish? We saw plenty of these lemony ones.   Dive 2 was far better (vis-wise) than dive 1, and we did 2 dives at the same spot. I think I heard the captain call it "Killer Kelp" -- or maybe that was just how it felt trying to make our way through it! This spot had not only clearer water, but less current and much better rock formations.  Llama rock. My buddies insist I was narked and it is quite clearly moose rock. Or camel rock.  From the side  Poor sheepshead tries to avoid the crosshairs of the intrepid spear-fishers.  I love the strawberry anenome's. Well, that's what I think they might be. Maybe.  No idea what this strawberry thing is, but there sure were a lot of them!  Some weird thing  This weird starfish with way too many arms/tentacles/feelers reminds me of Seattle    The strawberry things have tentacles inside them!   Vis wasn't wretched, but the water was kind of green  A very rare yellow rockfish  A spotted brown rockfish  A very nice biscuit (kind of a lemon oreo?)  Turns out the strawberry things eat kelp. Who knew.  Our fourth dive was pretty shallow and mostly under the boat. Really nice for macro diving tho! Abalone ?  Some weird white rock  Weird grey rock/playdoh!  Another Seattle-ish beastie!  Not sure what this is (a vicious white-pointed upside down crown of spikiness?) Lemons  And for the nudi fans! (Don't say I do nothing for you!)  Browny whitey   And a white one  After dive 4, we were famished (lunch had been delayed until after diving just for the logistics of actually getting home before midnight) However, we had already been fed breakfast and then 4 kinds of never-ending (and endlessly spicy) soup! Lunch was followed by brownies, ice cream and chocolate sauce! Followed by a quick read of Harry Snotter and a kip before getting back to Ventura for the 2 hour drive home. All in all, a really nice trip -- this island is probably better done as part of a 2-dayer tho! If you do one thing this summer, dive on the Peace! (And no, I am not on commission!) 10:12 PM - 7/26/2007 - post comment
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