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Aquarium Reef Kayak Fun Dive
Saturday, November 11, 2006

This site takes its name from the inshore Monterey Bay Aquarium, which clearly marks the site. This site is too far from the beach to swim to, but is a pleasant and relaxed kayak dive.

The reef begins near shore and gently drops to a sand bottom in about 60 feet. The bottom is principally a rock and sand patch reef. This is a low-profile reef, with ridges of granite that run approximately parallel to shore, separated by sand channels. The rock in most cases rarely rises up more than a foot or two above the bottom. This reef supports a large bed of giant kelp that can be very thick in summer months but is rather thin in winter.

Aquarium Reef is not a place where you need to cover a lot of territory to experience the site or a place where you can expect grand vistas. Rather, it is a place to get your face close to the reef and look for little things. This is a macro photographer's heaven, if you take the time to look.

While there are very few large fish here, this is a great place for fish watching and photography. Countless sand dabs and starry flounders are found in the sand channels. Little sculpins perch on top of sponges or hide in cracks. Look for kelpfish, and juvenile rockfish camouflaged among algae on the bottom.

Aquarium Reef has a lot to offer divers who move slowly, get close to the reef, and develop their powers of observation. Remember, with all of this “bottom scratching” you should be careful not to damage the reef. There is plenty of sand next to the reef on which to kneel. That way you can enjoy the critters, and the diver behind you can enjoy them, too.

You will be supplying your own kayak for this dive in addition to your total dive system. We will plan to launch from San Carlos Beach. Plan on meeting at 730am at San Carlos Beach to set up. Optional 2 nd dive at Breakwater. Be sure to bring quarters for meters and water to drink.

We will be taking our time to enjoy the beautifulshoreline on our way to and from the dive site.

Free to Kelptomaniacs
$10 Non-Members

To learn more and find out about the next scheduled class please come by the store, call or e-mail for more information.

Wallin's Dive Center
1119 Industrial Rd. #7
San Carlos, California 94070
phone: (650) 591-5641
fax: (650) 591-5924