Location: South end San Clemente Island, California Channel Islands, U.S.A
Comments: Dive Day 1 of our inaugural maiden voyage scuba diving the California Channel Islands! We left Ensenada, Mexico yesterday evening and had an easy run up to San Diego to clear in with U.S. Customs and Immigration before continuing on to San Clemente Island.
Everything is going really well except that I have picked up a wretched cold and diving is out of the question for me. I can’t believe that I am missing our first ever splashes in the Channel Islands. Our guests dove “Octopus Gardens” and “Fishhook” at the south end of San Clemente and the diving conditions were reported as very good. “Fishhook” was especially good, with reportedly interesting terrain, numerous sightings of bat rays, eels and more lobster (“bugs”) than anyone could count.
I had been especially worried about in-water visibility after hearing reports of 10-15ft visibility in upwellings and plankton blooms in 53˚F water further north but we had mostly 50ft visibility and very comfortable 61˚F water temps. My drysuit is waiting for me! To be honest, I have to say that the crew and I are all thoroughly “Mexicanized” and we’re bundled up in sweaters with the chilly California air temps in the low 70’s. Safe diving!
–Captain Mike
Weather: High overcast, air temps low 70’s, winds 15 to 20 knots from the northwest, 2-3 foot seas.
Water: Water temperature 61°F, average visibility 50 feet.
