Posted by kimo on April 14, 2000 at 15:17:57:
In Reply to: prime snorkling spots? posted by coloradotourist on April 14, 2000 at 13:44:38:
There are underwater parks and marine refuges in California
with great snorkling (though water visibility can be limited
this time of year). The fish out here are not as colorful, exotic,
or plentiful (in number of species) as Hawaii…there are no triggers
or puffers so common in Hawaii…but California has
something that the underwater moonscape of Hawaii lacks…
the lush green forests of kelp. As seahunt suggested, Catalina
offers some great snorkeling, from Long Beach/Los Angeles
take a R/T ferry boat (Catalina Express or Cat Cruises, find them
at http://www.catalina.com) over to Avalon on Catalina island
(though it will set you back $25 to $38 dollars per person, and
a day of your time, the access is easy and the snorkeling is great).
Walk over to Lover's Cove or Casino Point, both protected
marine refuges, rent your snorkel gear on-site…and enjoy.
The conditions at these sites are consistently good.
Just North of San Diego, La Jolla Cove is a marine refuge
(http://www.sannet.gov/lifeguards/beaches/cove.shtml)
with good snorkeling, though the conditions are usually
not as good as California's islands, with visibility of 10-20
feet at the best of times. Go in the morning and your
chances of seeing a swell shark or guitarfish lying
next to a large boulder are good, dive down and look
under the boulder and you may very well find some
lobster, they are all protected here. Take some frozen
peas and feed the fish, they will surround you
like a hungry pack of wolves…keep your bag of
treats hidden, the garish orange Garabaldi and
large bass can be aggressive…Enjoy.
Call this number for ocean/diving conditions
in San Diego area: 619-221-8824