STEPHAN's SCUBA LOG: North America

The Blue Grotto in Williston, Florida 2005.

Closeup with a curious California sea lion, Isla Coronado, BCS Mexico 2022.

Baja California Sur (Sea of Cortez aka Gulf of California), MEXICO: Dives 210-215

Dive: 210 Date: 3/28/2022
Location: La Lobera, Isla Coronado, BCS Mexico from Dolphin Dive Baja
Depth: 15.8 M/ 52 ft Time: 0:39
Comments: Lots of starfish, balloonfish, bullseye electric ray, speckled flatworm, sea cucumbers, soft coral, bullseye pufferfish, gulf sunstar, 2 spot octopus x 2, jeweled morey eel, and Tambja abdere nudibranchs.

Bullseye electric ray closeup, Isla Coronado, BCS, Mexico 2022.

Large horse conch, Isla Coronado, BCS, Mexico 2022.

Closeup of jeweled moray eel, Isla Coronado, BCS, Mexico 2022.

Two-spot octopus #1, Isla Coronado, BCS, Mexico 2022.

Two-spot octopus #2, Isla Coronado, BCS, Mexico 2022.

Tambja abdere nudibranch, Isla Coronado, BCS, Mexico 2022.

Tambja eliora nudibranch, Isla Coronado, BCS, Mexico 2022.

Gulf sun star, Isla Coronado, BCS, Mexico 2022.

Bullseye puffer fish, Isla Coronado, BCS, Mexico 2022.
Dive: 211 Date: 3/28/2022
Location: Los Metates, Isla Coronado, BCS Mexico from Dolphin Dive Baja
Depth: 19.9 M/ 65 ft Time: 0:47
Comments: Lots of sea stars, Tambja abdere, eliora, Roboastra tigris, and Chromodoris marislae nudibrands, brown cheek blenny, Roboastra tigris versus Tambja eliora spinning dance, large stone scorpionfish, 2 smaller scorpionfish, speckled flatworms, bullseye round stingray, large slipper lobster, clams, balloonfish, cleaning shrimp, large California moray eel.

Balloonfish, Isla Coronado, BCS, Mexico 2022.

Chromodoris marislae, Isla Coronado, BCS, Mexico 2022.

Brown cheek blenny, Isla Coronado, BCS, Mexico 2022.

Speckled flatworm, Isla Coronado, BCS, Mexico 2022.

California blue dorid, Isla Coronado, BCS, Mexico 2022.

California moray eel, Isla Coronado, BCS, Mexico 2022.
Dive: 212 Date: 3/31/2022
Location: Danzante Isla, BCS Mexico from Dolphin Dive Baja
Depth: 13 M/ 43ft Time: 0:34
Comments: Horn sharks x 5, nudibranchs (California blue dorid = Felimare californiensis, Tambja eliora, Tambja abdere), and jeweled moray eel.

Staghorn hermit crab, Danzante Isla, BCS, Mexico 2022.

Horn shark, Danzante Isla, BCS, Mexico 2022.

Jeweled moray eel, Danzante Isla, BCS, Mexico 2022.

Flower sea urchin, the most toxic sea urchin in the world, Danzante Isla, BCS, Mexico 2022.

California scorpionfish, Danzante, BCS, Mexico 2022.
Dive: 213 Date: 3/31/2022
Location: Isla La Mestiza, BCS Mexico from Dolphin Dive Baja
Depth: 10.9 M/ 36ft Time: 0:45
Comments: Large Cortez halibut, nudibranchs, staghorn hermit crab, bullseye round stingray, flounder, California moray eel, jeweled moray eel, and strange tube anemone.

Large Cortez halibut, Isla La Mestiza, BCS Mexico 2022.

Closeup with a curious California sea lion, Isla Coronado, BCS Mexico 2022.
Dive: 214 Date: 4/01/2022
Location: La Lobera, Isla Coronado, BCS Mexico from Dolphin Dive Baja
Depth: 13.3 M/ 44ft Time: 0:42
Comments: Lots of sea lions, sea stars, flower sea urchins (poisonous), Mexican dancer nudibranchs, Tambja abdere, bullseye electric stingray, Chromodorosi marisslae, horse conch, and sticky snake sea cucumber = Euapta godoffroyi.

Large Mexican dancer nudibranch, Isla Coronado, BCS, Mexico 2022.

Horse conch, Isla Coronado, BCS Mexico 2022.

Smaller Mexican dancer nudibranch, Isla Coronado, BCS, Mexico 2022.
Dive: 215 Date: 4/01/2022
Location: La Piedra Blanca, Isla Coronado, BCS Mexico from Dolphin Dive Baja
Depth: 88ft Time: 0:39
Comments: Super strong current, advanced dive, 2 spot octopus, mating bullseye electric rays, Tambja abdere nudibranchs, lobster carapace, orange cup coral, graybar grunts, bullseye round stingray, soft corals, scallops, King angelfish, curious sea lion, separation from Enzl DM at end due to strong current.

Bullseye electric rays mating, Isla Coronado, BCS, Mexico 2022.

Bullseye round stingray, Isla Coronado, BCS, Mexico 2022.

Tambja abdere nudibranch, Isla Coronado, BCS Mexico 2022.

Zara and Enzl at La Lobera with curious sea lions swimming around, Isla Coronado BCS, Mexico 2022.
Dolphin Dive Baja Enzl was awesome. +52 613-135-1914.

California, U.S.A.

Central California

Monterey, California: Dives 116-117
Perhaps some of the best diving in central California...
Dive: 116 Date: 7/12/2008
Location: Aumento's Reef; Monterey, CA from Monterey Express
Depth: 61ft Time: 0:42
Comments: Dirona albolineata nudibranch, two-spot octopus, strawberry anemones, top snails, fish-eating anemone, white-spotted rose anemone and Hermissenda crassicornis.

Dirona albolineata nudibranch, Monterey 2008.

Two-spot octopus, Monterey 2008.

Fish-eating anemone, Monterey 2008.

White-spotted rose anemone, Monterey 2008.

Painted greenling, Monterey 2008.

Hermissenda crassicornis nudibranch, note the lines along the entire cerata, Monterey 2008.
Dive: 117 Date; 7/12/2008
Location: Point Cabrillo Rock; Monterey, CA from Monterey Express
Depth: 34ft Time: 0:30
Comments: Large fish-eating anemone, monterey sea lemon nudibranch, Metridium anemones, jeweled and blue topsnails, strawberry anemones, and sunflower star.

Metridium farcimen, aka white-plumed anemone, Monterey 2008.

Monterey sea lemon nudibranch, Monterey 2008.

Strawberry anemones (aka clubbed-tip anemones), Ida's miter snail, jeweled/blue ring topsnails, and blue topsnails, 2008, Monterey 2008.

Sunflower star, Monterey 2008.

White-spotted dorid nudibranch, Monterey 2008.

Nudibranch eggs, Monterey 2008.

Giant sea star with unknown cowrie showing mantle, Monterey 2008.

Dive: 251 Date; 9/24/2025
Location: Wharf II; Monterey, CA
Depth: 27ft Time: 0:59
Comments: Great first dive, lots of melibe, and other nudibranchs. 63F/17C

Colorful dirona nudibranch on invasive red bryzoan, Monterey 2025.

Dock shrimp, Monterey 2025.

Melibe (Lion's mane nudibranch) congregation, Monterey 2025.

Navanex inermis, Monterey 2025.

Opalescent nudibranch and plumose anemone, Monterey 2025.

Plumose closeup with opalescent nudibranches, Monterey 2025.

Dive: 252 Date; 9/24/2025
Location: Wharf II; Monterey, CA
Depth: 29ft Time: 0:39
Comments: Sea lion swimby, lots of melibe, and other nudibranchs, fringehead, scorpionfish, sanddabs, and moon jellies. 63F/17C

Yellowfin fringhead with purple sea urchins and brown turban snail, Monterey 2025.

Spanish shawl nudibranch, Monterey 2025.

White spotted dorid nudibranch, Monterey 2025.

Moon jelly, Monterey 2025.

Southern California

Garibaldi fish, Catalina 2024.

Anacapa Island: Dives 5-10, 38-40, 47, 90, 93-6, 136-7, 143-146, 229-231
Anacapa is the closest Northern Channel Island to the California coast and is only a short boat trip away from Ventura Harbor.

Famous Anacapa Arch Rock, Anacapa 2017.

Minke whale, Anacapa 2017.
Dive: 5 Date: 6/11/1997
Location: Landing Cove; E. Anacapa Island (northside), CA from the Spectre Dive Boat
Depth: 40ft Time: 0:32
Comments: Lots of sea urchins, Garibaldi, sea cucumbers, and giant brown kelp.

Dive: 6 Date: 6/11/1997
Location: Underwater Island; W. Anacapa Island (southside), CA from the Spectre Dive Boat
Depth: 40ft Time: 0:45
Comments: Lots of sea urchins, Garibaldi, sea cucumbers, and giant brown kelp with a few Elegant Eolid (Spanish shawl) nudibranchs.

Elegant eolid aka Spanish shawl nudibranch, Refugio 2020.
Dive: 7 Date: 6/11/1997
Location: Cathedral Cove; E. Anacapa Island (northside), CA from the Spectre Dive Boat
Depth: 34ft Time: 0:33
Comments: Few California rock lobsters, with lots of sea urchins, Garibaldi, sea cucumbers, giant brown kelp, and a few abalone and a elegant eolid (aka Spanish shawl).

Abalone on abalone, Catalina 2024.
Dive: 8 Date: 6/29/1998
Location: Portuguese Rock; W. Anacapa Island (northside), CA from the Liberty Dive Boat
Depth: 48ft Time: 0:39
Comments: Large bat ray in sand. Very little kelp, killed by El Nino 1997-98. Some Garibaldi; lots of urchins, cucumbers, sea hares, and a old, large sheep crab. Sea lion visit.

Bat ray swimming away, Refugio 2020.

Dive: 9 Date: 6/29/1998
Location: Underwater Island; W. Anacapa Island (southside), CA from the Liberty Dive Boat
Depth: 44ft Time: 0:33
Comments: Abalone, little kelp, chestnut cowry, sea fans, urchins, cucumbers, shells.

Dive: 10 Date: 6/29/1998
Location: Underwater Island; W. Anacapa Island (southside), CA from the Liberty Dive Boat
Depth: 51ft Time: 0:27
Comments: Poor visibility due to storm swell, but saw blue whale and humpback on way back to mainland.

Dive: 38 Date: 12/22/2001
Location: Underwater Island; W. Anacapa Island (southside), CA from the Spectre Dive Boat
Depth: 52ft Time: 0:38
Comments: Poor visibility due to plankton; hundreds of yellowish brittle-stars.

California spotted scorpionfish, Catalina 2024.
Dive: 39 Date: 12/22/2001
Location: The Gap, Underwater Island; W. Anacapa Island (southside), CA from the Spectre Dive Boat
Depth: 35ft Time: 0:45
Comments: Giant kelp forests with lots of current and surge. Some sheephead.

Dive: 40 Date: 12/22/2001
Location: Garden Spot or Garden, East Cathedral Cove; E. Anacapa Island (northside), CA from the Spectre Dive Boat
Depth: 43ft Time: 0:46
Comments: Sea lions at play, big California sheephead.

Dive: 47 Date: 8/7/2003
Location: Underwater Island; W. Anacapa Island, CA from the Spectre Dive Boat
Depth: 56ft Time: 0:38
Comments: Lots of brittlestars, kelp.

Dive: 90 Date: 4/13/2006
Location: Goldfish Pool; W. Anacapa Island, CA from Peace Dive Boat
Depth: 36ft Time: 0:57
Comments: Lots of surge, ? storm-related. Visibility decreased, 20 ft near anchorage, 40ft further east. Lots of gorgonianas, sea stars, sea cucumbers, urchins, a sea hare, some anemones, lot of Spanish shawls, and single large sheephead. Not alot of kelp. Dolphins playful on ride out to island.

Onboard the Spectre, Anacapa 2006.
Dive: 93 Date: 4/15/2006
Location: Goldfish Pool; Anacapa Island, CA from Spectre Dive Boat
Depth: 33ft Time: 0:33
Comments: Visibility decreased, 15-20 ft near anchorage, 25ft further east. Young sheephead on descent; large male sheephead in cave. Some large Garibaldi, single large octopus, 2 ft horn shark in cave, sunflower star.

Dive: 94 Date: 4/15/2006
Location: Underwater Island; Anacapa Island, CA from Spectre Dive Boat
Depth: 59ft Time: 0:33
Comments: Visibility 20-25 ft. Day brittlestars x 100s; spanish shawls, sea hares, starfish, red/purple urchins, gorgonians, kelp bass, rockfish, single lobster, different crabs.

Kelp bass, Catalina 2024.
Dive: 95 Date: 4/15/2006
Location: East Channel; Anacapa Island, CA from Spectre Dive Boat
Depth: 41ft Time: 0:42
Comments: Visibility 20 ft in sand channel with some kelp. Spanish shawls, other nudibranch (horned aeolid), sea hares, starfish, red/purple urchins, gorgonians, kelp bass fish, chestnut cowries, multiple shells, and lots of anemones.

Elegant eolid aka Spanish shawl nudibranch, Refugio 2020.
Dive: 96 Date: 4/15/2006
Location: Cat Rock; Anacapa Island, CA from Spectre Dive Boat
Depth: 39ft Time: 0:27
Comments: Visibility 20 ft, following shelf to Cat Rock. Spanish shawls, sea lemon, sea hares, starfish, tons of red/purple urchins, gorgonians, huge lobster with lots of big lobster.

Dive: 136 Date: 5/07/2011
Location: Rat Rock; Western Anacapa Island, CA from Peace Dive Boat
Depth: 65ft Time: 0:45
Comments: Lots of nudibranchs, sea urchins, kelp, etc. With Michelle Yates and husband.

Dive: 137 Date: 5/07/2011
Location: Goldfish Pool; Anacapa Island, CA from Peace Dive Boat
Depth: 40ft Time: 0:45
Comments: Entry into 4 caves west of anchorage. Second cave had lots of bugs.

Dive: 143 Date: 8/02/2014
Location: Lighthouse Reef; Anacapa Island, CA from Spectre Dive Boat
Depth: 38ft Time: 0:51
Comments: 3 ft horn shark, sea lions; with the Spectre.

Young sea lion, Anacapa 2017.
Dive: 144 Date: 8/02/2014
Location: Underwater Arch; Anacapa Island, CA from Spectre Dive Boat
Depth: 35ft Time: 0:50
Comments: lots of sea lions; with the Spectre.

Dive: 145 Date: 8/02/2014
Location: Cathedral Point; Anacapa Island, CA from Spectre Dive Boat
Depth: 38ft Time: 0:44
Comments: Four caves, large abalone, tons of lobsters in left cave; with the Spectre.

Dive: 146 Date: 8/02/2014
Location: Garden Point; Anacapa Island, CA from Spectre Dive Boat
Depth: 40ft Time: 0:40
Comments: With the Spectre.

Dive: 229 Date: 2/25/2024
Location: Channels near Underwater Island; W. Anacapa Island (southside), CA from the Spectre Dive Boat
Depth: 39ft Time: 0:33
Comments: SDI Drysuit open water dive #1, trouble with putting weights back. Harbor seal swimby.

Dive: 230 Date: 2/25/2024
Location: Pyramid Point near Cat Rock; W. Anacapa Island (southside), CA from the Spectre Dive Boat
Depth: 35ft Time: 0:32
Comments: SDI Drysuit open water dive #2, Lots of chestnut cowries, spanish shawl nudibranchs, and large black abalone.

Dive: 231 Date: 2/25/2024
Location: Rat Rock (frontside); W. Anacapa Island (northside), CA from the Spectre Dive Boat
Depth: 49ft Time: 0:24
Comments: SDI Drysuit open water dive #3, Lots of kelp and fish.

San Diego Area and Coronado Islands: Dives 13-14, 135, 203-204, 227-228

The Coronado Islands are a group of islands just a boat trip from San Diego, but is south of the border in Mexican territorial waters.
Dive: 13 Date: 6/12/1999
Location: Lobster Shack; NW Coronado Islands, Mexico from the Blue Escape Dive Boat
Depth: 58ft Time: 0:33
Comments: Garibaldi, abalone, white sea urchins, brittlestar.

Dive: 14 Date: 6/12/1999
Location: Lobster Shack; NW Coronado Islands, Mexico from the Blue Escape Dive Boat
Depth: 58ft Time: 0:42
Comments: Octopus, California moray eel, huge starfish, lots of gobies.

Dive: 135 Date: 3/11/2011
Location: La Jolla Canyon from La Jolla Shores with Rod Watkins of Scuba San Diego
Depth: 85 ft Time: 0:45
Comments: Difficult shore entry due to tsunami. Lost one fin and snorkel on first try. Borrowed fins and snorkel on second with Rod Watkins. Saw two horned sharks, lobster, shrimp, and octopus.

Dive: 203 Date: 6/19/2021
Location: La Jolla Cove with La Jolla Dive
Depth: 37 ft Time: 0:30
Comments: Z lost mask on first swim out, overcast, and surge picked up on repeat swim out. Garibaldi in shallow areas, lobster, snails, sea lion swim-by on the way back.

Ysa, DM, and sea lion swim-by, La Jolla Shores 2021.
La Jolla Dive Can hire guides through them if your first time. 619-206-2485.

Dive: 204 Date: 6/19/2021
Location: La Jolla Cove with La Jolla Dive
Depth: 25 ft Time: 0:25
Comments: Y got cold, more lobster, and free-swimming California moray eel.

California moray eel free-swimming, La Jolla Shores 2021.

Humboldt by Waterhorse Charters, Point Loma 2023.
Waterhorse Charters Owner Zach is very knowledgeable and a great guy. 877-707-0731.

Dive: 227 Date: 11/12/2023
Location: Three Fingers, Point Loma from Humboldt of Waterhorse Charters
Depth: 72 ft Time: 0:28
Comments: Large wavy turban snails, giant keyhole limpets, kelp laying horizontal around 25 ft deep, lobster, 3 Cadlina luteomarginata nudibranchs, large shrimp in a hole with scallops, blackeye goby, and starry rockfish.

Cadlina luteomarginata nudibranch, Point Loma 2023.
Dive: 228 Date: 11/12/2023
Location: Scripps Research Buoy, Point Loma from Humboldt of Waterhorse Charters
Depth: 64 ft Time: 0:39
Comments: Lobster, giant keyhole limpets, small scorpionfish, Pacific blood star, cup corals.

Black and yellow rockfish, Point Loma 2023.

California spotted scorpionfish, Point Loma 2023.

Pacific Blood Star, Point Loma 2023.

San Miguel: Dives 111-13, 118-20

The furthest east of the northern Channel Islands, it is one of the most pristine islands.

Blue whales from the Eastern Pacific blue whale pod, 2007, and 2008.

Onboard the Peace Dive Boat with Ocean Safari, San Miguel 2008.
Dive: 111 Date: 9/9/2007
Location: Point Bennett Wall; San Miguel Island from Peace Dive Boat with Ocean Safari
Depth: 65 ft Time: 0:07
Comments: Difficulty with current; aborted early.

Dive: 112 Date: 9/9/2007
Location: Castle Rock; San Miguel Island from Peace Dive Boat with Ocean Safari
Depth: 70 ft Time: 0:35
Comments: Lots of different kelp and nudibranches.

California blue dorid nudibranch, Catalina 2024.
Dive: 113 Date: 9/9/2007
Location: Westcott Shoals; San Miguel Island from Peace Dive Boat with Ocean Safari
Depth: 65 ft Time: 0:35

Dive: 118 Date: 9/7/2008
Location: Crook Point; San Miguel Island from Peace Dive Boat with Ocean Safari
Depth: 88 ft Time: 0:35
Comments: Sheephead, H crassicornis, lots of kelp;

Dive: 119 Date: 9/7/2008
Location: Point Bennett Wall; San Miguel Island from Peace Dive Boat with Ocean Safari
Depth: 92 ft Time: 0:34
Comments: Cockerell's Dorid x 2, cup corals/anemones, rockfish, sheephead.

Dive: 120 Date: 9/7/2008
Location: Rainbarrel; San Miguel Island from Peace Dive Boat with Ocean Safari
Depth: 80 ft Time: 0:34
Comments: Huge abalone, 10-14 in diameter; lots of nudibranches, large lingcod, nudibranch eggs, blue shark 4-5 ft

Ocean Safari Scuba A good group of people to dive with. I recommend Gabe. 626-287-6283.

Santa Catalina Island: Dives 11-12, 55-56, 142, 150, 186-188, 239-241

The most populated Channel Island; lots of stuff to do, see the Steve's Scuba Stuff page.
Dive: 11 Date: 12/31/1998
Location: Torqua Springs; Santa Catalina Island, CA from King Neptune Dive Boat
Depth: 37ft Time: 0:57
Comments: Baby horned sharks x 2, gobies, cucumbers, lobster, and urchins.

Dive: 12 Date: 12/31/1998
Location: Blue Car Reef; Santa Catalina Island, CA from King Neptune Dive Boat
Depth: 51ft Time: 0:51
Comments: Lots of gobies, cucumbers, shells, cowry, swell shark egg case, sheephead, lobster, and rock fish.

Treefish, Catalina 2024.
Dive: 55 Date: 7/16/2004
Location: Goat Harbor; Santa Catalina Island, CA from Express Divers
Depth: 61ft Time: 0:24
Comments: Kelp.

Dive: 56 Date: 7/16/2004
Location: Yellowfin Point; Santa Catalina Island, CA from Express Divers
Depth: 35ft Time: 0:46
Comments: Lots of lobster, Garibaldi, kelp bass, agarweed, seagrass, tunicates, and kelp.

Small lobster with bluebanded gobies, Catalina 2019.
Dive: 142 Date: 8/10/2012
Location: Casino Point; Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, CA
Depth: 45ft Time: 0:45
Comments: Lots of nudibranchs and the big 300 lb plus friendly grouper.

Jacques Yves Cousteau memorial plaque, Catalina 2019.

Replacement Cousteau memorial plaque, Catalina 2024.
Dive: 150 Date: 7/05/2016
Location: Casino Point; Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, CA
Depth: 83ft Time: 0:41
Comments: First dive with Andrew, large sea bass hiding in kelp, red abalone, and blue banded gobies.

Giant black sea bass with kelp bass, Catalina 2024.
Dive: 186 Date: 7/04/2019
Location: Casino Point; Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, CA
Depth: 40ft Time: 0:21
Comments: First dive with Ron, Duncan St. Amand, Ysa, Zara, Matthieu Jullien. Kelp/calico bass, Garibaldi, warty cucumbers, rock wrasse, and lots of brown kelp.

Dive: 187 Date: 7/04/2019
Location: Casino Point; Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, CA
Depth: 57ft Time: 0:41
Comments: Ron St. Amand, Ysa, Zara, Matthieu Jullien. 2 lobsters, Jacques Cousteau plaque, small sea bass, gorgonians, sea star, and sea cucumbers.

Dive: 188 Date: 7/04/2019
Location: Casino Point; Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, CA
Depth: 56ft Time: 0:31
Comments: Ron St. Amand, Ysa, and Matthieu Jullien. Giant sea bass, California spotted scorpionfish, and gorgonians.

Giant sea bass in kelp, Catalina 2019.

Small California spotted scopionfish, Catalina 2019.

Giant seabass, Catalina 2024.

Tube anemone, Cataline 2024.
Dive: 239 Date: 7/29/2024
Location: Casino Point; Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, CA
Depth: 50ft Time: 0:35
Comments: Chris Howard DM, Matthieu Jullien. Giant kelp, Garibaldi, kelp bass, senorita, new Cousteau plaque, blue-banded gobies, large fish ball, abalanoe, giant sea bass, sheephead, large fish ball, lobster, warty sea cucumber, and gorgonians.

Another California spotted scorpionfish, Catalina 2024.
Dive: 240 Date: 7/29/2024
Location: Casino Point; Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, CA
Depth: 61ft Time: 0:42
Comments: Chris Howard DM, Matthieu Jullien. Giant kelp, swim to swim platform, California blue dorid, giant sea bass, and California spotted scorpionfish.

California blue dorid nudibranch, Catalina 2024.

Matthieu in kelp, Catalina 2024.
Dive: 241 Date: 7/29/2024
Location: Casino Point; Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, CA
Depth: 51ft Time: 0:48
Comments: Chris Howard DM, Matthieu Jullien. Giant sea bass, California blue dorid, treefish, and California spotted scorpionfish.

Rock wrasse, Catalina 2024.

Santa Cruz Island and nearby: Dives 45-6, 91-2, 102-3

Two long-beaked common dolphins, Santa Cruz 2006.
Dive: 45 Date: 8/7/2003
Location: Two Sisters; Santa Cruz Island, CA from the Spectre Dive Boat
Depth: 45ft Time: 0:43
Comments: Lots of lobster, starfish, urchins, kelp.

Dive: 46 Date: 8/7/2003
Location: Landings; Santa Cruz Island, CA from the Spectre Dive Boat
Depth: 70ft Time: 0:29
Comments: Big crab, some lobster, elegant eolid/Spanish shawl, Garibaldi, very healthy kelp.

Another elegant eolid aka Spanish shawl nudibranch, Refugio 2020.
Dive: 91 Date: 4/13/2006
Location: Scorpion Rock; E. Santa Cruz Island, CA from Peace Dive Boat
Depth: 49ft Time: 0:44
Comments: Lot of Spanish shawls, a single sea lemon nudibranch, some Garibaldi, a huge sheep crab (1 ft diameter body), and some lobster in rock boulders. Lots of urchins, cucumbers, pink and red gorgonians. Not a lot of kelp.

Dive: 92 Date: 4/13/2006
Location: Little Scorpion Rock landing; E. Santa Cruz Island, CA from Peace Dive Boat
Depth: 49ft Time: 0:44
Comments: More Spanish shawls, smaller white nudibranchs that look like them, lots of brown cowries, some Garibaldi, 2 foot swell shark in "cave", and 3-4 lobster in rock boulders. Lots of urchins, cucumbers, pink and red gorgonians. Not a lot of kelp. Visibility worse (20-30 ft).

Dive: 102 Date: 7/30/2006
Location: Big Scorpion Rock landing; E. Santa Cruz Island, CA with Schleiderers
Depth: 35ft Time: 1:07
Comments: Poor visibility but tons of bat rays (~14) in the sand/mud. Also, Spanish shawls, large sheep crabs, a few scallop and one octopus.

Large sheep crab, Santa Cruz 2019.
Dive: 103 Date: 7/30/2006
Location: Scorpion Cove/Landing; E. Santa Cruz Island, CA with Schleiderers
Depth: 61ft Time: 1:05
Comments: Brittlestar wasteland, then to rocky outcroppings with a few scallops, small sheep crab, and lots of lobster.

Grace Oil Platform, Santa Barbara County: 104-106

Dive: 104 Date: 10/21/2006
Location: Oil platform Grace; Channel Islands Channel, CA from Sunfish Dive Boat
Depth: 75ft Time: 0:35
Comments: Lots of scallops on legs; large white Metridia deeper than 60ft; very beautiful.

Dive: 105 Date: 10/21/2006
Location: Oil platform Grace; Channel Islands Channel, CA from Sunfish Dive Boat
Depth: 57ft Time: 0:49
Comments: Lots of scallops on legs; pink and white cup coral Metridia; lemon dorid; strawberry anemones.

Dive: 106 Date: 10/21/2006
Location: Oil platform Grace; Channel Islands Channel, CA from Sunfish Dive Boat
Depth: 48ft Time: 0:51
Comments: Spanish shawls and some smaller similar ones.

Refugio State Beach, Santa Barbara County: 198-201

Dive: 198 Date: 7/26/2020
Location: Refugio State Beach east reef, CA
Depth: 17ft Time: 0:18
Comments: Ron & Duncan St. Amand, Ysa, Zara. Small flatfish, mostly sandy + kelp.

Dive: 199 Date: 7/26/2020
Location: Refugio State Beach east reef, CA
Depth: 25ft Time: 0:35
Comments: Ron & Duncan St. Amand, Ysa, Zara. Sea hares, sand dollars, several flatfish, moon snail shell, curtytop turban snail shell, cone snails, kelp and kelp bass with branched tunicates.

Seahare with purple sea urchins, Refugio State Beach, 2020.

Sand dollar bonanza, Refugio State Beach 2020.
Dive: 200 Date: 8/16/2020
Location: Refugio State Beach east reef, CA
Depth: 26ft Time: 0:45
Comments: Purple sea urchins on ledges, red sea urchins, gorgonians, tube anemones, giant sea stars, bat stars, sea hares, decorator crab, 2 large angel sharks, and kelp bass fish.

Angel shark, Refugio State Beach 2020.

Angel shark #2, Refugio State Beach 2020.
Dive: 201 Date: 8/16/2020
Location: Refugio State Beach east reef, CA
Depth: 26ft Time: 0:44
Comments: Yellow dorid, elegant eolid/spanish shawls, lobsters in ledges, chestnut cowries, tunicates, limpets, clubbed coral anemiones/strawberry anemones, kelp bass fish, rockfish, bat ray, caught a single lobster, caught a small sheep crab and played practical joke on Zara.

Sheep crab, Refugio State Beach 2020.

Chestnut cowrie surrounded by clubbed tip anemones/strawberry anemones with a nearby giant keyhole limpet, Refugio State Beach, 2020.

Small lobster with spiny sand star, Refugio State Beach 2020.

Decorator crab covered with seaweed/algae, Refugio 2020.

Another decorator crab, Refugio 2020.

Florida (non-Keys side, Gulf of Mexico which may be a bit controversial since it connects to Caribbean), U.S.A.

Central Florida: Dives 84-85

Florida Cave diving
Central Florida diving is all about limestone cavern diving.

The Blue Grotto, Williston, Florida 2005.
Dive: 84 Date: 5/29/2005
Location: Blue Grotto; Williston, FL with American Pro Diving
Depth: 92ft Time: 0:25
Comments: First experience in fresh water diving, the Blue Grotto is a limestone cenote with crystal clear water of 72F all-year long. Large catfish; down to Peace Rock, into "Fossil Room," then back up the "waterfall." Hung out in the plexiglass air bubble.

The entry to Devil's Den, Williston, Florida 2005.
Dive: 85 Date: 5/29/2005
Location: Devil's Den; Williston, FL with American Pro Diving
Depth: 50ft Time: 0:35
Comments: Large catfish; swam through 4-5 swim-throughs in rubble pile.

American Pro Diving Center A good dive shop in Crystal River, they provide a guide to the local cave and river drift diving, as well as morning snorkeling with the manatees. 352-563-0041.

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Email me at stephan1972.geo@yahoo.com if you have any comments, inspirations, and/or suggestions.

Updated 2025. Page created on July 8, 2005.