Lover's Cove advice

[mmcdanie]

My buddy and I were lucky to secure a spot at Lover's Cove on the upcoming Avalon Harbor clean up on Feb 22nd.
Since diving is restricted at the cove does anyone have any expericence there, and maybe a pointer or two for marine life to keep an eye out for?
Thanx

 

[merxlin]

We dove it during last year's clean up. I was surprisingly unimpressed. The fish are somewhat more social as they are used to the boats and subs coming through. But there is actually a lot of sand out there between the kelp and small patch reefs. Watch the stairs, at low tide that bottom step was a doozy.

 

[muzikbiz22]

I'm a "Green Pier" guy myself. There's more "treasure" to be found around the moorings, etc.

 

[drbill]

I've dived Lover's Cove occasionally over the years and find it "interesting" in terms of the effect of frequent fish feeding on the species composition there. One of the neat things to look out for are the fine scale triggerfish although they tend to be pretty skittish. On occasion I've seen dozens of soupfin (tope) sharks there.

 

[geoff w]

I dived there last year for the cleanup, and found it a very nice change from Casino Point. Maybe a bit more pristine, because the area isn't seen by countless divers every week. The biggest surprise was the amount of trash to pick up - golf balls, credit cards, other plastic. I only had a very small bag for trash and needed more space. Fortunately my buddy had a big bag. I'm looking forward to going back there again this year for the cleanup

 

[SanDiegoSidemount]

The density of the schooling fish at Lover's can't be beat. The closer to the point, the more awesome it gets. Some of the most massive kelp bass I've ever seen in CA, and loads of other species.

It's probably in opposition to your cleanup efforts which will require you to stick to the bottom to pick up litter, but mid-water at the outer edge of the kelp will probably be where the most action is at.

 

[dytis-sm]

This is a unique opportunity to experience a pristine part of Avalon. I found it to be a unique Catalina diving experience since there is an abundance of life with minimal trash and diver crowds. The entry is not as easy as at Casino Point but well worth the hassle. Overall I consider myself lucky to have secured a spot last and also this year!