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Dive Report: San Nicolas Island & Santa Barbabara Island





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Posted by Chris on August 31, 2005 at 00:09:37:

On August 20-21, 2005 I went on a Ocean Safari trip to San Nicolas Island and Santa Barbara Island aboard the Great Escape.
We were supposed to start the day at Begg Rock, but rough conditions caused Captain Kevin to head for the Lee of San Nic. There is it was very calm. We had some of the best conditions I have ever experienced at Nic. The visibility was over 60 feet, and the water was 64°F above 40 feet, and 56°F below. It was a nice sunny day with almost no wind. At Nic where the average wind is 26 knots, days like this are to be cherished.
I got some very cool pictures in four dives, and I sat out the fifth dive because I wanted to do a night dive. However just before I was about to get in for the night dive I noticed the current had picked up very strong, it was well over 2 knots. Thus the night dive was aborted. That night we headed for Santa Barbara Island, but the current was going all night so the boat only was making a speed of 8 knots instead of it’s normal 10. Most of the kelp at SBI was lying down, but when we got to the East Kelp Bed, it was standing up nicely. I was the first in the water and I was amazed at the 70+ ft. visibility when I hoped in. I came across a pregnant female torpedo ray and spent most of the dive taking pictures of her. The next dive at hidden reef I encountered a smaller male torpedo ray and took many pictures of him as well.

diver.net

Ocean Safari trip to
San Nicolas Island & Santa Barbara Island
aboard the Great Escape
August 20-21, 2005

clickon the images to enlarge

Boarding the Night Before
divers preparing their gear
divers preparing their gear
Thai Quach
Thai Quach
P8193992lr.jpg
A Ocean Safari diver
Crystal & Conan
Crystal & Conan
divers watching the breifing
divers watching the breifing
Gabriel Lu gives the trip briefing
Gabriel Lu gives the trip briefing
Thai Quach & woman dver watching the breifing
Thai Quach & woman dver
watching the breifing
Gabriel Lu gives the trip briefing
Gabriel Lu gives the trip briefing

Top side at San Nic
Sunrise at Nic
Sunrise at Nic
the sand spit
the sand spit
a happy hunter with a nice Ocean Whitfish
a happy hunter with
a nice Ocean Whitfish
a happy hunter
a happy hunter
P8204056F2lr.jpg
diver
P8204059lr.jpg
divers & a healthy kelp bed
P8204060S30lr.jpg
a happy diver
P8204062S30lr.jpg
Thai Quach
healthy kelp bed at San Nicolas Island
healthy kelp bed
healthy kelp bed at San Nicolas Island
healthy kelp bed
P8204097FS36clr.jpg
Crystal
Conan Teng
Conan Teng

San Nicolas Island : Dive 1
Leather Star (Dermasterias imbricata)
Leather Star
(Dermasterias imbricata)
Orange Puffball Sponge (Tethya aurantia) & a White-spotted Rose Anemone (Urtinca lofotensis)
Orange Puffball Sponge
(Tethya aurantia) &
a White-spotted Rose Anemone
(Urtinca lofotensis)
Black-and-Yellow Rockfish (Sebastes chrysomelas)
Black-and-Yellow Rockfish
(Sebastes chrysomelas)
Black-and-Yellow Rockfish (Sebastes chrysomelas)
Black-and-Yellow Rockfish
(Sebastes chrysomelas)
 Eric Faust
Eric Faust
  

San Nicolas Island : Dive 2
Pacific Angel Shark (Squatina californica)
Pacific Angel Shark
(Squatina californica)
Pacific Angel Shark (Squatina californica)
Pacific Angel Shark
(Squatina californica)
Porter's Chromodorid (Mexichromis porterae)
Porter's Chromodorid
(Mexichromis porterae)
Porter's Chromodorid (Mexichromis porterae)
Porter's Chromodorid
(Mexichromis porterae)
Painted Urticna (Urticna crassicornis)
Painted Urticna
(Urticna crassicornis)
Hermissenda crassicornis
Hermissenda crassicornis
Painted Greenling (Hexagrammos superciliosus)
Painted Greenling
(Hexagrammos superciliosus)
Rock Scallop (Crassedoma giganteum)
Rock Scallop
(Crassedoma giganteum)
Leucetta losangelenis
Leucetta losangelenis
Hermissenda crassicornis
Hermissenda crassicornis
White Spotted Porostome (Doriopsilla albopunctata)
White Spotted Porostome
(Doriopsilla albopunctata)
Sunflower Star (Pycnopodia helianthoides)
Sunflower Star
(Pycnopodia helianthoides)

San Nicolas Island : Dive 3 : The Wall
Northern Anchovy (Engraulis mordax)
a school of pinheads
Northern Anchovy
(Engraulis mordax)
Blacksmith (Chromis punctipimmis)
Blacksmith (Chromis punctipimmis)
the wall
"the wall"

Blue Rockfish (Sebastes mystinus), Olive Rockfish (Sebastes serranoides), Blacksmith (Chromis punctipimmis), and a school of pinhead Northern Anchovy (Engraulis mordax)
Blue Rockfish
(Sebastesmystinus),
Olive Rockfish (Sebastes serranoides),
Blacksmith (Chromis punctipimmis),
and a school of
pinhead Northern Anchovy
(Engraulis mordax)

Spanish Shawls (Flabellina iodinea) on the wall
Spanish Shawls
(Flabellina iodinea)
on the wall
on the wall
on "the wall"
mating White Spotted Porostomes (Doriopsilla albopunctata)
3 mating
White Spotted Porostomes
(Doriopsilla albopunctata)
mating White Spotted Porostomes (Doriopsilla albopunctata)
3 mating
White Spotted Porostomes
(Doriopsilla albopunctata)
Northern Anchovy (Engraulis mordax)
Northern Anchovy
(Engraulis mordax)
Northern Anchovy (Engraulis mordax)
Northern Anchovy
(Engraulis mordax)
Northern Anchovy (Engraulis mordax)
Northern Anchovy
(Engraulis mordax)
Northern Anchovy (Engraulis mordax)
Northern Anchovy
(Engraulis mordax)
Northern Anchovy (Engraulis mordax)
Northern Anchovy
(Engraulis mordax)
Northern Anchovy (Engraulis mordax)
Northern Anchovy
(Engraulis mordax)
Northern Anchovy (Engraulis mordax)
Northern Anchovy
(Engraulis mordax)
Northern Anchovy (Engraulis mordax)
Northern Anchovy
(Engraulis mordax)

San Nicolas Island : Dive 4 : The Markers
Red Volcano Sponge (Acarnus erithacus)
Red Volcano Sponge
(Acarnus erithacus)
Kelp Rockfish (Sebastes atrovirens)
Kelp Rockfish
(Sebastes atrovirens)
Black-and-Yellow Rockfish (Sebastes chrysomelas)
Black-and-Yellow Rockfish
(Sebastes chrysomelas)
three White-spotted Rose Anemones (Urtinca lofotensis), a Spanish Shawl (Flabelina iodinea), & some Orange Cup Corals (Balanophyllia elegans)
three White-spotted Rose Anemones
(Urtinca lofotensis), a Spanish Shawl (Flabelina iodinea),& some Orange Cup Corals (Balanophyllia elegans)
Stalked Tunicate (Styela montereyensis) & Fluted Bryozoan (Hippodiplosia insculpta)
Stalked Tunicate
(Styela montereyensis)
& Fluted Bryozoan
(Hippodiplosia insculpta)
juvenile Cabazon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus)
juvenile Cabazon
(Scorpaenichthys marmoratus)
juvenile Cabazon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus)
juvenile Cabazon
(Scorpaenichthys marmoratus)
Black-and-Yellow Rockfish (Sebastes chrysomelas)
Black-and-Yellow Rockfish
(Sebastes chrysomelas)
Sunflower Star (Pycnopodia helianthoides)
Sunflower Star
(Pycnopodia helianthoides)
a view of the kelp mat from below
a view of the kelp mat from below
Stalked Tunicate (Styela montereyensis) & Fluted Bryozoan (Hippodiplosia insculpta)
Stalked Tunicate
(Styela montereyensis)
& Fluted Bryozoan
(Hippodiplosia insculpta)
Giant Spined Stars (Pisaster giganteus)
Giant Spined Stars
(Pisaster giganteus)
P8201551F2xlr.jpg
Painted Greenling
(Hexagrammos superciliosus)
& White-spotted Rose Anemones
(Urtinca lofotensis)
P8201556cF2l.jpg
?? worm
P8201559Fxlr.jpg
Fluted Bryozoan
(Hippodiplosia insculpta)
& White-spotted Rose Anemones
(Urtinca lofotensis)
Wart-Neck Piddock (Chaceia ovoidea)
Wart-Neck Piddock
(Chaceia ovoidea)
P8201562cF2xlr.jpg
diver with a canera
P8201564cFxlr.jpg
diver with a camera
Giant Spined Star (Pisaster giganteus)
Giant Spined Star
(Pisaster giganteus)
California Sheephead (Semicossyphus pulcher)
California Sheephead
(Semicossyphus pulcher)

Top side at SBI
DM Luis Torres
DM Luis Torres
P8214142lr.jpg
diving is a glamour sport!
P8214144lr.jpg
Dr. Evil
P8214146lr.jpg
divers

Santa Barbara Island : Dive 1 : East Kelp
Pregnant female Torpedo Ray (Torpedo californica)
Pregnant female Torpedo Ray
(Torpedo californica)
Pregnant female Torpedo Ray (Torpedo californica)
Pregnant female Torpedo Ray
(Torpedo californica)
Pregnant female Torpedo Ray (Torpedo californica)
Pregnant female Torpedo Ray
(Torpedo californica)
Pregnant female Torpedo Ray (Torpedo californica)
Pregnant female Torpedo Ray
(Torpedo californica)
Pregnant female Torpedo Ray (Torpedo californica)
Pregnant female Torpedo Ray
(Torpedo californica)
Pregnant female Torpedo Ray (Torpedo californica)
Pregnant female Torpedo Ray
(Torpedo californica)
Pregnant female Torpedo Ray (Torpedo californica)
Pregnant female Torpedo Ray
(Torpedo californica)
Pregnant female Torpedo Ray (Torpedo californica)
Pregnant female Torpedo Ray
(Torpedo californica)

Santa Barbara Island : Dive 2 : Hidden Reef
Male Torpedo Ray (Torpedo californica)
Male Torpedo Ray
(Torpedo californica)
Male Torpedo Ray (Torpedo californica)
Male Torpedo Ray
(Torpedo californica)
Male Torpedo Ray (Torpedo californica)
Male Torpedo Ray
(Torpedo californica)
Male Torpedo Ray (Torpedo californica)
Male Torpedo Ray
(Torpedo californica)
Male Torpedo Ray (Torpedo californica)
Male Torpedo Ray
(Torpedo californica)
Male Torpedo Ray (Torpedo californica)
Male Torpedo Ray
(Torpedo californica)
Male Torpedo Ray (Torpedo californica)
Male Torpedo Ray
(Torpedo californica)
Male Torpedo Ray (Torpedo californica)
Male Torpedo Ray
(Torpedo californica)
Male Torpedo Ray (Torpedo californica)
Male Torpedo Ray
(Torpedo californica)
Male Torpedo Ray (Torpedo californica)
Male Torpedo Ray
(Torpedo californica)
Male Torpedo Ray (Torpedo californica)
Male Torpedo Ray
(Torpedo californica)
Male Torpedo Ray (Torpedo californica)
Male Torpedo Ray
(Torpedo californica)
Male Torpedo Ray (Torpedo californica)
Male Torpedo Ray
(Torpedo californica)
Steve and a Male Torpedo Ray (Torpedo californica)
Steve & a Male Torpedo Ray
(Torpedo californica)
Male Torpedo Ray (Torpedo californica)
Male Torpedo Ray
(Torpedo californica)
Painted Urticna (Urticna crassicornis)
Painted Urticna
(Urticna crassicornis)
Spiny Brittle Star (Ophiothrix spiculata)
Spiny Brittle Star
(Ophiothrix spiculata)
Spiny Brittle Star (Ophiothrix spiculata)
Spiny Brittle Star
(Ophiothrix spiculata)
Spiny Brittle Star (Ophiothrix spiculata)
Spiny Brittle Star
(Ophiothrix spiculata)
Spiny Brittle Star (Ophiothrix spiculata)
Spiny Brittle Star
(Ophiothrix spiculata)
Giant Kelp (Macrocystis integrifolia)
Giant Kelp
(Macrocystis integrifolia)
Giant Kelp (Macrocystis integrifolia)
Giant Kelp
(Macrocystis integrifolia)
Giant Kelp (Macrocystis integrifolia)
Giant Kelp
(Macrocystis integrifolia)
Giant Kelp (Macrocystis integrifolia)
Giant Kelp
(Macrocystis integrifolia)

Santa Barbara Island : Dive 3 : Webster Point
Red Sea Urchin (Strongylocentrotus franciscanus)
Red Sea Urchin
(Strongylocentrotus franciscanus)
Opaleye (Girella nigricans)
Opaleye (Girella nigricans)
Opaleye (Girella nigricans)
Opaleye (Girella nigricans)
Black Surfperch (Embiotoca jacksoni)
Black Surfperch
(Embiotoca jacksoni)
Pile Surfperch (Damalichthys vacca)
Pile Surfperch
(Damalichthys vacca)
Black Surfperch (Embiotoca jacksoni) and Pile Surfperch (Damalichthys vacca)
Black Surfperch
(Embiotoca jacksoni)
and Pile Surfperch
(Damalichthys vacca)
Black Surfperch (Embiotoca jacksoni)
Black Surfperch
(Embiotoca jacksoni)
Pile Surfperch (Damalichthys vacca)
Pile Surfperch
(Damalichthys vacca)
Black Surfperch (Embiotoca jacksoni)
Black Surfperch
(Embiotoca jacksoni)
Black Surfperch (Embiotoca jacksoni)
Black Surfperch
(Embiotoca jacksoni)
Opaleye (Girella nigricans)
Opaleye (Girella nigricans)
Opaleye (Girella nigricans)
Opaleye (Girella nigricans)
Black Surfperch (Embiotoca jacksoni)
Black Surfperch
(Embiotoca jacksoni)
Black Surfperch (Embiotoca jacksoni)
Black Surfperch
(Embiotoca jacksoni)
Tylodina fungina feeding on Sulpher Sponge (Aplysina fistularis)
Tylodina fungina
feeding on Sulpher Sponge
(Aplysina fistularis)
Tylodina fungina feeding on Sulpher Sponge (Aplysina fistularis)
Tylodina fungina
feeding on Sulpher Sponge
(Aplysina fistularis)
Tylodina fungina feeding on Sulpher Sponge (Aplysina fistularis)
Tylodina fungina
feeding on Sulpher Sponge
(Aplysina fistularis)
P8212054F2S30xlr.jpg
happy tech divers
sea urchins at Webster Point, Santa Barbara Island, California
sea urchins
at Webster Point,
Santa Barbara Island,
California
P8212084F2xlr.jpg
divers with bags of urchins

Santa Barbara Island : Dive 4 : Outside the Cavet
Spiny Brittle Star (Ophiothrix spiculata)
Spiny Brittle Star
(Ophiothrix spiculata)
a 14 cm long Blackeye Goby (Coryphopterus nicholsii)
a 14 cm long
Blackeye Goby
(Coryphopterus nicholsii)
California Golden Gorgonian (Muricea californica)
California Golden Gorgonian
(Muricea californica)
 


©2005 Chris Grossman,diver.net




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