Took the Spectre out of Ventura today (7/27). Three terrific dives! Seas are absolutely flat, so the crossing was like silk.

First dive was at Potato Pinnacle - saw the bottom (at 80') as we passed over the top. Our dive was to 79 feet and we swam into a mild current, then about half way into the dive, went up to 40 ' and basically enjoyed a slow drift dive on the way back to the anchor. Enjoyed a nice safety stop at 15 ' on top of the pinnacle, enjoying the many anenomes, etc. Cozumel has nothing on this dive! Water temp was 68 F and the fields of yellow and orange color were incredible....did I mention the viz?!?!

Next dive was a short move to potato rock where the conditions were duplicated minus any current. We found a cool swim thru and walls of huge mussels, barnacles, and anenomes. Plus some really nice sized scallops. Water temp registerd 70 F.

After the BBQ chicken lunch we moved to big rock in the game reserve. Found a spotted moray who we eventually coaxed out of its lair. Continuing the dive we spotted a large octopus holed up in a jug shaped rock...couldn't get it to play with my gloveless hand. Guess there wasn't enough temp difference to make it interesting for it. The water temp registerd an amazing 74 F in the shallows.

If you want to play hookey - tomorrow is the day for it!

One downside is that the kelp is really beginning to suffer - lots of bull kelp was showing stress and the usual fields of giant kelp were absent. But after some dives in 49 to 52 F water this Spring, all aboard really enjoyed the warm California waters and smoothe seas!

Get out there and DIVE!