Page 167 - California Diving and Surfing
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West Anacapa Island Dive Sites
WEST ANACAPA CLIFFS 40’-75’ Located due FRENCHYS COVE 10’-35’ Great place for dive. The very west end of Anacapa has very
north of Summit Peak. Sheer rock walls snorkeling and tide-pool exploring. The good overall diving when conditions allow
feature kelp, colorful nudibranchs, halibut, beach is accessible for day use without a diving here. Great for wide-angle or macro.
and angel sharks. permit.
CORAL REEF 20’-90’ Kelp to 45’ deep, and
GOLDFISH BOWL 30’-60’ Sandy, and dense CAT ROCK 20’-60’ Mostly shallow with lots then a near-vertical wall drops to a 90’ bot-
with kelp. Has all kinds of fish, and lobsters of kelp. Also has nudibranchs, lobsters, scal- tom. This harbor seal hangout usually has
in holes. lops, and abalone. a solid site on the south great visibility. Caution: Strong currents.
side, with healthy kelp, good structure and Sometimes currents can be strong here,
INDIAN WATER CAVE 10’-35’ A 35’ high wa- brittle stars deeper. but excellent macro and good wide-angle
ter entry cave is good when the sun is high photography are good here, and there are
and the water is clear. The Chumash people 3 PARALLEL REEFS Inner to 30’, Mid to 50’, usually millions of brittle stars forming a
collected fresh water from the dripping Outer to 90’. Rocky reefs run parallel to brittle star carpet from 60-80ft depth.
cave ceiling. shore. Features kelp, gorgonians, barra-
cuda, black sea bass, halibut, and pelagics. INNER & OUTER UNDERWATER ISLANDS
PELICAN FINGER Just west of Indian Water Caution: Currents and surge. Inner to 20’, Outer to 60’. Inner pinnacle
Cave is a great snorkeling spot, but it is has commemorative plaque on top. Outer
subject to Brown Pelican Fledging Area RAT ROCK 25’-110’ Rocky with a sandy bot- “island” is a mansion-size pinnacle rising
closure rules. Great for macro, juvenile fish tom. Purple gorgonians flourish. Inhabited from 60’ to 15’ depth.
and uncommon critters. However, this area by lobsters, garibaldi, and moray eels.
can only be dove in November, it’s closed Caution: Strong currents may create a drift
the rest of the year.
