BIG ANIMALS AND LITTTLE CRITTERS
USA
San Diego, California
By ALLISON VITSKY SALLMON
Divers flock to San Diego to swim through
towering kelp forests, explore anemone-encrusted
shipwrecks, interact with blue and mako sharks,
and cavort with playful sea lions. However, this
sun-drenched, wide angle-worthy destination has
a well-kept secret: it offers the most phenomenal
macro life in Southern California. Submarine
canyons just offshore plunge to nearly 180 metres,
meaning that cold, nutrient-rich water bathes
local dive sites, making incredible critter sightings
possible almost everywhere.
The shallow sandy slopes and tangles of torn
kelp at humble “La Jolla Shores” are home to
pipefish, octopus, juvenile horn sharks, seahorses,
nudibranchs, and (for the fortunate) market or
dumpling squid. At deeper sites, small greenlings
perch on rocks while Simnia snails can sometimes
be found traversing red gorgonians. A few miles
south, the rocky reefs lining the “Point Loma” kelp
beds are home to sea spiders, amphipods,
a variety of blennies, and more nudibranchs.
And don’t overlook the water column during
safety stops: it can be a photographer’s dream,
providing a never-ending parade of tiny
pelagic invertebrates.
PRACTICALITIES
WHEN
While visibility can be poor from
March to June, this season is
often concurrent with the best
pelagic invertebrate sightings and
greatest nudibranch density. July
to January offers the best visibility,
with autumn providing the optimal
chance for calm seas and sightings
of seahorses and pipefishes.
HOW
San Diego is easily reached by air
either directly or via connection
from a large number of major
international airports.
STAY/DIVE
• SDExpeditions
(www.sdexpeditions.com)
• San Diego Divers
(www.sandiegodivers.com)
• Waterhorse Charters
(www.waterhorsecharters.com)
TOPSIDE
There are plenty of shops and hotels
in downtown La Jolla to occupy
those hours between dives.
ENTRY
Eligible non-US citizens can visit
the USA as part of the Visa Waiver
Program for up to 90 days without
obtaining a visa.
15. A pipefish pokes
its head out of the kelp
detritus off La Jolla