dive: 142

index

dive: 144

   Monterey, CA / McAbee Beach

notes:

Dropped into the drink with Paul Quinn, Frank, Scott Brown, Scott Z. and Sean, Jim Mosher, and Jim Kessler at McAbee. The fog had completely burned off by 9. Almost no surge in the shallows, none at depth. Water was cooler than last weekend 11-12 C. At 14-17 m, the awful 2-3 m viz close to shore opened up to more like 20 m. My buddy, Frank, and I emerged from both dives with huge grins on our faces.

The kelp forest and reef in front of the Aquarium is absolutely magic.
Tons of metridiums were feeding. Also seen were a huge ling, chestnut
cowries, Hermissenda, Spanish shawl, sea hare, a couple of fair sized abalone, some large rockfish guarding a 5 m salp. There was also a large school of something I hadn't seen before: it was the shape and size of a surf perch, but it was completely silver.

On the first dive, we swam to the reef underwater to and fro. We did the surface swim on the second dive, to maximize our time on the reef. If you stay close to shore, you can avoid the thick kelp.

9.7 m avg.
53 no deco
- surf

conditions:

equipment:

schedule:

dive: 142

index

dive: 144