Visiting San Diego, Giant Sea Bass?

[deeno]

I'm going to be in San Diego in July and will be squeezing in a dive day. I see the post below (San Diego in January) with great links to boats and things to see (kelp forests sound fantastic).

Is it possible to see Giant Sea Bass from a San Diego charter or is that something to do in Catalina? I have never been to the area and am just trying to get a feel for what is possible before I start reaching out to the boat operators.

 

[covediver]

Catalina and Anacapa Island is where I have seen and heard of them being reliably reported. I can't say about San Diego.

 

[deeno]

Thanks for the info!

 

[SoCalRich]

Last year, I have seen up to 5 GSBs at Casino Point, Catalina.
But San Diego diving is easy and convenient. So why not do both?
Bring a camera.
Good Divin,
SoCalRich

 

[tep]

I have seen GSB at the "NOSC tower" site off Pt Loma. I saw three on the same dive last Fall. I have no idea if this is at all common. I've only dove there twice, saw GSB both times, but that's a real small sample size and the dives were within a few weeks of each other.

 

[Trailboss123]

I'm going to be in San Diego in July and will be squeezing in a dive day. I see the post below (San Diego in January) with great links to boats and things to see (kelp forests sound fantastic).

Is it possible to see Giant Sea Bass from a San Diego charter or is that something to do in Catalina? I have never been to the area and am just trying to get a feel for what is possible before I start reaching out to the boat operators.

I would go to Catalina, if it works for your schedule.

 

[muzikbiz22]

I would go to Catalina, if it works for your schedule.

+1 for Catalina. Goat Harbor usually yields a sighting.

 

[broncobowsher]

I have seen one in San Diego. About a year ago.
The more you want to see one, the more they will hide from you.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

The only mainland sites where you can see them consistently are the Star of Scotland and Hermosa Beach Artificial Reef, both in the Santa Monica Bay. Few boats go to these sites so if you want to see a GSB, you're better off going to Catalina Island.

 

[scubadada]

Back in the day, 2007, saw many GSB at Point Loma Pipeline in San Diego.