Page 108 - California Diving and Surfing
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ater temps average in the mid-60s, of Catalina’s size there are many good dive EAGLE ROCK 0’ - 60’ Formerly a bald eagle
sites such as, Ship Rock, Bird Rock, Blue nesting spot, the underwater has black
W with lows in the high 50s in winter Caverns, Long Point, Eagle Reef, Italian Gar- gorgonians, abalone, rockfish, and lob-
dens, Little Farnsworth, Eagles Nest, Arrow sters. Caution: Surge, currents, exposed to
and topping out in the high 60s in the sum- Point and much more. Westerlies
mer. Visibility is generally 40 to 60 feet in
winter and 60 to 90 feet in summer. With PARSON’S LANDING (SMUGGLER’S DEN) 0’ BULL ROCK 0’ - 90’ Kelp forest with game-
such good water clarity, photography and - 50’ Generally calm, with a sandy bottom fish and lobsters. Caution: Surge, currents,
sightseeing are popular activities. The“front and large rocks. Sanddabs and kelp bass are exposed to Westerlies.
side” is the leeward (sheltered side) of the common. No moorings, and anchorage for
island and offers some of the best water ten. Camp site has BBQ, toilets, and access IRON-BOUND COVE (BAY ) 10’ - 65’ Sandy
clarity (30′ to 100’+) and the best diving to trails. for halibut and bat rays. Photogenic site.
conditions in Southern California. Cur-
rents are generally mild and there’s always BLACK POINT (COVE ROCK) 10’ - 100’ This RIBBON ROCK 0’ - 60’ Pink, green, and black
a calm and clear site to dive. Because of rocky cove is calm and protected. Lots of abalone, plus sheephead and white sea
this Catalina Island is the most dove island lobsters and scallops. bass. Caution: Surgy.
of all the Channel Islands. The backside of
Catalina, is the weather exposed side, and LAND’S END (WEST END) 0’ - 135’ Pelagics, WHALE ROCK 0’ - 100’+ Whale rock spouts
offers some great dive opportunities when abalone, lots of garibaldi, black sea bass, water. Cliffs descend into the sea. Black
you can get there. mackerel, lobsters, scallops, and gorgoni- gorgonian coral at 60’ - 80’, lobsters, scal-
ans. Caution: Most exposed spot on the lops, and white sea bass.
O ne well known dive site on the back- island is steep and deep. The light is con-
side is Farnsworth Bank, two miles spicuous at 76’ elevation. KELP POINT (& KELP BAY ) 15’ - 100’ Kelp
off Ben Watson Point. Farnsworth Bank is a forest amongst numerous rocks. Caution:
deep offshore pinnacle and because of its Surgy.
exposed location it can be very hard to get
to. Farnsworth Bank is mainly known for its
abundance of purple hydrocoral. Because
