Posted by seahunt on July 23, 2002 at 09:03:37:
In Reply to: Van Damme posted by Tyler on July 22, 2002 at 20:56:23:
Van Damme is located about 180 miles north of San Francisco.
The coastal area above San Francisco is generally known to
divers as The North Coast. It is real popular with divers
for a few reasons. The North Coast has a primitively windswept
beauty. Though in miles, it is near the Bay Area, it is remote
to travel and far more distant in mood. It is always challenging
diving and it can be as challenging as you want it to be. It is
beautifully lush, with life thick in the shallow waters. The
hunting can be good there. Spearfishing can be good, but more
than that a lot of divers visit there to take abalone.
You have to be up for cold water cuz it always is. You have to
be up for rough water, because it often is. Vis in summer should
be from 15 feet to over 50 on a good day, but the rest of the
time, well, that's just part of the challenge. Still, it's so
well worth it.
For extensive, detailed essays and pics from diving the North Coast,
try www.diver.net/seahunt and go towards the bottom of the diving
list. Here are two essays from my last trip
www.diver.net/seahunt/gerstle/d_gerstl.htm - Gerstle Cove
www.diver.net/seahunt/sr2001/d_srnch1.htm - Sea Ranch 2001. Big Abs
and one with a lot of pics
www.diver.net/seahunt/sernch00/sernch00.htm" - Sea Ranch 2000 Editors Trip
It is great diving!!! And I'll be there in 9 days.
Enjoy the diving, seahunt