Captain’s Log June 12, 2011 Horizon Charters 1 Day Adventure

After another smooth crossing we arrive by day break to San Clemente Island.  As the sun creeps up we get the boat anchored up at ‘Little Flower’ reef.  After having two incredible dives yesterday I couldn’t pass it up.  The water was still clear and the conditions were as calm as could be.  A giant black sea bass hung out with divers under the boat for both of our morning dives. A HUGE school of bait was seen milling around in the currentless water.  The wall off the edge of the reef was covered with large sea cucumbers and sea stars.  Cleaner shrimp and blue-banded gobies were crawling all over the reef.  What an awesome start to the day.  During lunch we moved the boat down the island to get a change of scenery.

Since the water on the east side of the island was so blue we pulled up to ‘Jesus Rock’ to take a look.  The visibility looked amazing!!  We quickly set down the anchors and held a site briefing and in they went.  The wall here starts at 40 feet and makes a steep drop down to 135.  Tons and tons of bait fish were hovering off the edge of the wall making for some fantastic pictures.  Harbor seals were charging through the bait looking for a snack.  The Garibaldi and sheephead were hovering above the rock that comes from 40 feet to just a foot below the surface.  The thick kelp bed was hiding two 150 pound black sea bass.  Just so much life to see the divers didn’t want to leave.  As always, the best dive seems to be the last one.  Never the less we had to pull the anchors and head towards the barn.  On the way home we ran into 4 large pods of bottlenose dolphin and even got a glimpse of a blue whale from a distance.  What a great day aboard the Horizon.  Next weekend we are headed south into Mexico to see what adventures we can find at the Coronado islandsJ.

Til then adios,

Captain Spencer