Page 178 - California Diving and Surfing
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hese areas are the cornerstone of the he coves around the island are visited of the good water clarity and abundant
T Navy’s tactical training activities in T by divers attracted by the abundant sea marine life, San Clemente is perfect for
life, including sea lions, lobsters, hydroc- photographers and it is equally as good for
Southern California. More than a dozen
range and operational areas are clustered oral, kelp forests and the big bull calicos. the hunter or sightseer.
within a 60 mile radius of the island. The
Commander-in-Chief, Naval Forces, Pacific The “lee” of Clemente is home to consist- S an Clemente is also home to quite a few
(CINCPACFLT ) is the major claimant for the ently good water clarity, usually better than wrecks with the best being the John C.
island, and Naval Air Station, North Island that found at Catalina. Typical visibility is
(NASNI) is responsible for its administra-
tion. Most areas around the island are 60 – 80’+ and water temperature is usu- Butler, a naval destroyer sitting on a 80 feet
accessible to the public for commercial and
recreational purposes such as diving and ally warmer like that of Catalina Island. San sandy bottom in Northwest harbor. Because
sport fishing. Except in exclusive use or
restricted areas, public access is allowed in Clemente is extremely diverse with its steep of its size, San Clemente has many good
other areas during periods when they are
not being used for military training activi- walls, large rocky reefs, underwater caverns, dive sites. Some of them are Window Pane,
ties.
macrolarge rock outcroppings, isolated Fish Hook, The Boilers, China Point, Nine
deep water reef systems and pinnacles. Fathoms, Little Flower, Northwest Harbor,
There is so much to see and do underwater Octopus Gardens, LCI Reef, Ordinance Reef,
at San Clemente Island that even after div- The Caverns, Castle Rock, the wreck of the
ing several days there you will still have lots Koka and much more.
more to see. When the weather conditions
are good and you can dive the south wind-
ward side of San Clemente Island. Because
