Unique underwater ecosystems with an amazing abundance of marine life and some truly outstanding photo opportunities, California's kelp beds offer divers the opportunity to come face to face with creatures small and large. Here, we'll take a look at three favorite kelp diving destinations - just a few of the many that the state has to offer.
El Refugio Beach
A beautiful little cove located just a few miles from Santa Barbara, El Refugio translates to "The Refuge" in English. About a mile long, this lovely beach was once a major ocean access point for the Chumash Indians, who made great use of the abundance the ocean here provides. Nearby picnic tables providing staging areas, and with a gently sloping beach, entering and exiting the water is simple. Once underwater, you'll find yourself in a massive kelp forest filled with nudibranchs and cowries, lobsters, sea stars, octopus, sea hares, and a multitude of fish including garibaldi and rockfish, surf perch, sheephead, starry flounders, and halibut. The main kelp bed is located along a rock outcropping in just 15 to 20 feet of water, just a little to the east of the point where the creek enters the ocean. To the west of this stream, you'll find a sand dollar bed and a rocky reef that extends across the bay from the headland. Maximum depth inside the cove is just 30 feet, and there are campsites, restrooms, and other amenities onshore. Visit between November and January, and again in the spring, for a chance to see or hear migrating gray whales.
Shaw's Cove
Located in Laguna Beach just a little south of Crescent Bay, Shaw's Cove is very easy to access, and is chock full of bright orange garibaldis and other marine life, including green moray eels, red sea urchins, the occasional horn shark, and quite a few bat rays. While maximum depth here is about 50 feet, the greatest concentration of marine life is located at depths between 15 and 45 feet. A very popular site for night diving, Shaw's Cove can be very busy, especially on weekends. It is well patrolled by lifeguards, who don't hesitate to hand out tickets to divers who attempt to dive without buddies or snorkels. Be sure to dive with a flag, as well.
La Jolla Shores
One of the most famous northern San Diego county dive sites, La Jolla Shores is home to rockfish and octopus, lizardfish and mantis shrimp, rays, halibut, and of course, lots of garibaldis, bass, and nudibranchs. If you are lucky, you might encounter wolf eels and moray eels as you explore. The best place to enter is from the sand right in front of the main lifeguard tower, although if it is summer and the water is crowded with swimmers, you'll be directed to an alternate entry point. You'll need to surface swim for some distance - between 200 and 400 yards, depending on the tide, then you'll be able to drop down to depth. Once below the surface, most of the life is concentrated at a depth of about 35 feet. Use caution, as the submarine canyon that parallels the coastline here eventually drops away to a depth of 2,000 feet. Gray whales have been spotted here during their migration periods, and angel sharks are often spotted as well. Whether you dive La Jolla Shores during the day, or explore after the sun goes down, you'll be amazed at what you find here.
If you've never been kelp diving before, ensure you're well versed in kelp bed safety. Carry a sharp knife and dive with a knowledgeable buddy, remember to move slowly, and be sure you carry a good light. Last, but not least, relax and enjoy yourself - once you are used to the sensation of diving in this incredibly rich environment, you'll find yourself completely captivated by the magnificent views and amazing creatures that await.