Mike Barr's Dive Log

This is my first snorkeling experience since Marineland closed its "Baja Reef" swim-through aquarium in 1987. A friend took me down to see tide pools further South of the cove, but pulled out a snorkel and jumped in right there at the cove's southern tip. We went across to the small rock island, and in between was a big Garibaldi, tons of stars and purple urchins, and some sleek, silvery fish with horizontal blue stripes. I was hesitant due to my lack of experience, but my friend's own confidence and experience hyped me up. I hooted with excitement when I reached the island, and scared off a seal that had been sunning itself, camouflaged on the rocks. It swam around and checked us out, and took his spot back after we left. Visibility was about 20 ft. Incidentally, my friend calls this Crystal Cove, "because the water's so clear." He's a lifetime local; go figure.