Facing a strong current out of the south we anchored in the lee of Church Rock on Guadalupe’s southern end and dove the ridge that leads out into the open sea of Tuna Alley. Despite pulling their way down the anchor divers beamed about the multitude of life that hovered above the ridge and hid in the rocks. Some divers took the skiff over to Skip’s rock were they dove the spire down the depths and circle the small pinnacle with ease despite the strong surface current. They found a school of large yellowtail circling overhead amidst the blacksmith and swallowtail damsels that hid behind the spire.

After lunch we planted ourselves at Abalone point were more large schools of yellowfin tuna encircled snorkelers who ventured out into blue water off the bow anchor. Others waited patiently by the stern anchor in shallow water for the fur seals to finish frolicking on the surface and take a another pass in front of the camera. Visibility reached 100 feet as the wind died and divers reported seeing large batrays and horn sharks swimming freely in the water column.

until next time,

Capt Cary

The wind kicked up over night but diving conditions were still delightful. We tucked in behind Afuera Island which offered divers the opportunity to swim in blue water with a nice boulder bottom below. We saw schools of baitfish and halfmoons hovering beyond the boulder pile in 80 feet of visibility. Large yellowtail jacks swam past the divers as they looked in awe. In the boulders covered with palm kelp were numerous swim thrus with behemoth Calico bass hiding with the schools of cardinal fish and Scythemark butterfly. The rocks were covered in orange cup corals and multi colored sponges. Some divers claimed this was their favorite spot of the trip so far.

The abrupt rise of Isla Afuera offers an incredible feast for the eyes at we place MV Horizon very close to the island that rises over 550 feet straight up out of the ocean. Incredible!

Until Tomorrow,

Captain Cary

Today was another fun day of diving.Visibility was incredible in the morning. We had divers reporting a rich diversity of species at Abalone Point.

Some of them included, sarcastic fringe-head blennies, cardinal fish, leather grouper, yellowtail jacks, Mexican Hogfish, zebra goby, arrow crabs, black horned shark. Some even got to swim with a school of yellowfin tuna and other divers reported a visit by 5 bottlenose dolphin!

Everyone enjoyed watching the family of furseals play in the surf, it was an endless supply of photo opportunity. We wrapped up the day with Chicken kabobs and a pleasant nights sleep in Melopemene Cove.

until next time,

Capt Cary

Day 3 of 9

We had an early start as we moved the boat over to the Red Cinder Cone before sunrise. After a hot breakfast we jumped into sixtyfive degree water with seventfive feet of visibily to the sights of schooling yellowtail jacks and clouds of scissortail damselsfish. On the bouldery bottom we found a multitude of species including moray eels, lobsters, scythemark butterfly fsih and Guadalupe cardinal fish. The current was mild and the fur seals were playful.

We moved over to Boxing Glove reef during lunchtime and enjoyed our stay and dove with schools of yellowfin tuna, yellowtail jacks and a blanket of brown algaes below.We were joined by a large pod of bottlenose dolphin who  playfully rode the bow on our way over to the night anchorage at Battleship point.

Capt Cary

We arrived at Guadalupe Island under a clearing sky and wonderful clear water. We dove Spanish cove and explored the chimney that runs up the center of the pinnacle just outside the cove. We found mating schools of Sythemark Butterfly fish along the wall and at the edges of the pinnacle. At least one or two of the fish in all the schools seemed to be carrying young with their bellies distended and hovering at the edge of the lairs awaiting to dart back into their cave. We sighted a couple of three-banded butterfly fish.

The water temp was 65 degrees with little change at 125’ feet where I was told a big gulf grouper was lurking outside the Spire. We shuttled our resident videographer and journalist just north, this side of Pilot Rock beach where he took advantage of the light current and drifted back to the boat. He mentioned sighting a giant Batray as he returned to the boat. Herds of Sythemark Butterfly fish were sighted in the rocks and at depth and it looked as though a few were carrying young in each of the mating congregations we found. A few divers found some three-banded butterfly fish and I think everyone found the big bull Guadalupe fur seal as he grunted passed to let you know you were approaching his harem in the Cove.

We moved to the calm protection of the Northwest anchorage were we finished off the day with barbecued rib-eye steaks accented with a nice glass of red wine . Everyone slept peacefully that night after our long voyage here and some wonderful dives.

Captain Cary

Good morning divers! We are underway now for Ensenada, Mexico to make official entrance into Mexico before heading out to Isla Guadalupe. Stay tuned as I turn in my daily reports that will typically be posted the following day.

Happy Reading!

Captain Cary

The next 10 days are very exciting for us as we are back at Isla Guadalupe on a scuba expedition. We started scuba diving at this amazing island in 1994 and have found it to be the most amazing dive experience available from San Diego. Nothing like the kelp forests we are used to visiting and  more like Socorro, Galapagos or Cocos. Multiple species of pinnipeds, temperate and panamic fish species, dolphin, sharks and so much more! Enjoy the logs from the next 9 days and then join us for our next Guadalupe Island scuba expedition in 2011!

No report from Captain Spencer for this day due to the short transit back to San Diego from the dive site.

Good times had by all.  Fish Hook  Reef in the AM.  Tons of bat rays and flat fish.  Then during lunch we went and swam with dolphin and mola mola! Nice start to the day aye?!!

After that we anchored up for the after noon dive and the night snorkel.  Three huge black sea bass swam under the boat all afternoon and night.  Barracuda were chasing the bait under the boat.  Everyone had fun even though the sun didn’t shine today.  Tomorrow we are off  to the Coronado Islands.

Captain SS

After a semi calm ride out to San Clemente Island with our gang of kids from SeaCamp San Diego we started the day at Black Caverns and we ended up staying there all day because the conditions were so nice!

The divers and snorkelers encountered giant black sea bass, lobsters, moreys, bat rays, baracuda, yellow tail, lots of bait and so much more.  The weather is nice sunny and the water is clear and warm.  Everyone had a great day.

At lunch we moved out to deep water to set out a deep water trap so tomorrow we will pull it up to see what lives down at 1000 feet!

Captain SS