Is there any safe/ good diving in So Cal this holiday weekend?

[mmcdanie]

Sorry I did not respond after our Saturday Dives at Ripper's. What a great day. Crossing was good. Both dives were shallow but very nice, no current, great viz. Here are some video links if interested.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsjXo1HFyoI&index=2&list=UU7z9pZHtzpCemzjJ679eMng

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr__HY8-75E&index=1&list=UU7z9pZHtzpCemzjJ679eMng

 

[mathauck0814]

Saturday on the oil rigs was challenging. Very strong current persisting from the surface down to 200 feet (didn't bother going any deeper as deco was going to be fun as it was). Visibility was limited, water green and dark.

Sunday on the northwest side of San Clemente was perfect. 74 degrees down to 60 feet, in the mid 60's down to about 130. 100+ visibility in blue water. Terrific diving.

Monday morning @ Farnsworth bank was even better (though colder). We had mistakenly become comfortable with the SCI conditions and were drysuit diving with no hood, gloves or undergarments so the 56 degree temperatures at 200 feet were a little "brisk". Absolutely stunning visibility deep on the pinnacle.

Monday afternoon on the front side of Catalina the current was ripping but conditions were nice otherwise. Seems the storm has passed and fall conditions are coming into their own.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Yes, very low visibility and just sand makes you feel like you're in a box. I'm not sure why anyone other than classes would dive there when there are so many other options out there.

 

[Lopez116]

Sorry I did not respond after our Saturday Dives at Ripper's. What a great day. Crossing was good. Both dives were shallow but very nice, no current, great viz. Here are some video links if interested.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsjXo1HFyoI&index=2&list=UU7z9pZHtzpCemzjJ679eMng

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr__HY8-75E&index=1&list=UU7z9pZHtzpCemzjJ679eMng

Nice videos!

 

[Kevrumbo]

Did my first dive in 8 days last night... very disappointed to see the surge was still pretty strong (at least for filming purposes)

That's too bad Bill! I had 40 to 50' viz in the surge & current looking at the Purple Hydrocoral and great fish & invertebrate life at 7 Fathom Reef on San Clemente Sunday (the Navy was cooperative this past Weekend!); and at Farnsworth Banks early morning 8am yesterday Labor Day Monday.

Was on the diveboats Magician to frontside Catalina on Fri & Sat; and on the Sun to Mon two-day liveaboard on Pacific Star above . . .no more hurricane generated big south swells, but the returning & prevailing westerlies and current were a little strong & swirling.

 

[trsills]

Thanks for posting the vids mmcdanie, enjoyed watching.

Maxbottomtime- LOL, point taken.