![]() ![]() Many species are only found at specific sites or are seasonal, check with the locals Wear proper exposure protection, deep water can be cold year-round Southern channel islands have better visibility than the northern channel islands. Use wide-angle lenses to fully capture the beauty of giant kelp forestsīest visibility is from August to January, and is much better offshore at the islands than off the mainland. Use an external strobe to reduce backscatter Laguna Beach shore dives - shallow reefs with easy acccessĬalifornia Marine Life Underwater Photography Tips La Jolla cove and shores - when conditions are good, almost all California marine life can be seen here Palos Verdes reefs - covered with invertebrates, lots of fish too Redondo Beach for a night dive - great macro/ muck dive, many octopus Southern Channel Islands (Catalina, Santa Barbara) - giant kelp forests, schools of fish and more Northern Channel Islands (San Miguel, Anacapa, Santa Rosa) - cold water but incredible kelp forests, fish and invertebrate life Monterey - beautiful reefs packed with life, but very cold water, and often decent but not great visibiltiy Humpback whale breaching the water near Catalina Islandīest dives sites for California Marine Life Sea lions are the easiest to see underwater.Ĭalifornia sea lions are common at Santa Barbara & Anacapa islands, and at Oil rigs.ĭolphins feeding on an underwater baitball, near Catalina Island Marine mammals found in California include harbor seals, elephant seals, sea lions, sea otters, killer whales, and blue, fin, humpback and gray whales. Giant black sea bass are found at Catalina, Anacapa, La Jolla and LA county from July to November.Įven the Pacific Seahorse can be found in California, near San Diego, if you know where to look! Schooling fish at the Catalina Island dive park They are more commonly seen while diving Port Hardy, British Columbia. ![]() Wolf eel, found underwater in cold, deep reefs. Leopard sharks schooling underwater in Marina Del ReyĪ pair of torpedo rays at Catalina Island. Bat rays, Stingrays, Thornback rays and Torpedo rays are also all common.Ĭalifornia angel shark, usually found underwater laying on the sand Divers commonly see angel, horn, and swell sharks underwater in California. Sharks are well-known examples of California marine life. All are common in Southern California waters. Octopus are common on reefs, but more often seen at night.Ĭolorful nudibranchs are one of the most visible invertebrates underwater in California.Įchinoderms include starfish, sea cucumbers, and sea urchins. Octopus are best seen at night, and squid are seasonal, usually common in shallow water in the winter to lay eggs. Sea slugs, snails, squid, and octopus are common at California dive sites. ![]() Purple hydrocoral at Farnsworth Banks, a beautiful example of California marine life.Ī wide variety of shrimps, crabs, and other crustaceans can be found in California, especially at night! Anemones are animals called Cnidarians, which also include hydroids, jellyfish, cup corals, sea pens and hydrocorals. We've also added information on California's Underwater Parks and, for the non-divers in your life, other Southern California info like things to do in San Diego with the family.Ĭalifornia Underwater Invertebrates California Sponges & AnemonesĪnemones and sponges are very common in California waters. Diving underwater in the Channel Islands or Monterey is the best way to experience this amazing underwater marine life.įor a great selection of fun-reading articles on Southern California marine life, visit Bill Bushing's page, and for information on Monterey marine life see Clinton Bauder's site. Divers and underwater photographers looking for California marine life will see seals, large schools of fish, colorful invertebrates and giant kelp forests. ![]() It's underwater reefs and kelp forests support thousands of species of fish and invertebrates. California has some of the most diverse marine life in the world. ![]()
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