FISHERMAN'S COVE

 Location:  Fisherman’s Cove is located just off of the Pacific Coast Highway in South Orange County.  To get to Fisherman’s cove take the 133 freeway until it T’s off on PCH or exit from Jamboree when coming from the north until you reach PCH and make a left.  Once on PCH you will want to drive until you reach Beverely Street and then head towards the ocean.  Beverly in the south direction is Cliff Drive.  Cliff Drive forks into two directions.  At this point you will want to veer left until you spot the metered parking on your left.  There will be a metal railing in front of the parking spaces along with a pay phone and change making machine for the metered stalls.  Please keep in mind parking is very limited and it is best to arrive early before the crowds arrive.  Access to the beach is just north of the condos at the point.  Keep your eyes open for the path as the path to the beach is very easy to miss!

 Attractions:  Naturalist, photography, videography, and DPV

 Visibility:  5-30 feet (average 15 feet)

Fisherman’s Cove is one of the few places on the California Coast that is positioned the way it is.  Fisherman’s is a pure North facing beach and due to the extension of the reef out into the ocean, Fisherman’s is usually flat when nearby beaches are recording large to heavy surf. Fisherman’s usually has the best visibility in the area after a storm but due to the shelter of the reef and north facing beach poor visibility conditions may continue long after other beaches have cleaned up.  The best visibility and diving usually occurs in the Mermaid's Grotto discussed below.

 Bottom Composition:  Fisherman’s Cove is really a very large reef system that extends far out from the point and breaks up into two large reef systems.  Unlike the reef systems found in San Diego and Los Angeles counties the reef at Fisherman's covers much of the cove.  In addition to the large reefs many smaller reefs can also be found throughout the beach.  Interspersed amongst the larger reefs are enormous stretches of sand.

 Map:  This map is not an attempt to make an exact replication of the dive spot.  Instead this map is intended to give some perspective on over all features of the dive spot.  The best way to get to know a dive spot is to explore it yourself.  Before you make your dive please check out the Diving Information on this dive destination below.

 Dangers:  Surge is the predominant danger at this beach since surge within the crevices can be strong.  It is best to dive this location when surf is low.  As a general rule of thumb if the surf is breaking high off the outer reef beyond the point you may want to reconsider diving this location.  There are also many types of rockfish which may induce a highly uncomfortable sensation should you prick yourself on a spine.

  Wildlife Abundance:  Once we have logged at least 25 dives at a particular location, a tab is taken from each dive and the relative abundance of each species is noted.  From this raw data I have come up with a numbering system which will give you some insight on the relative abundance and your chances of seeing each species at any particular time.

5- Guaranteed to see this species at this dive sight

4- Very likely to see this species at this dive sight. 

3- Abundance may vary or may be specific to a particular location within a dive spot; you have a 50/50 chance of seeing this species on your dive at specific locations

2- Species may be seasonal or hard to find at this dive spot.  Sightings have occurred but are few and far between

1- May have seen this species or have heard from feed back this species can be found here seasonally

  Fish:  4-Catalina Goby, 5-Sand Bass, 4-Bat Ray, 2- Calico Bass (Paralabrax clathratus), 2-Morey Eel, 2- Tree Fish (Sebastes serriceps), 2- Cabezon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus), 3- California Scorpion Fish (Scorpaena guttata) (Rt),  , 3- Blackeye Goby (Coryphopterus nicholsi), 3- California Halibut (Paralichthys californicus) (Md), 3- California Sheephead (Semicossyphus pulcher), 2- Senorita (Oxyjulis californica) (All), 5- Garibaldi (Hypsypops rubicundus) (Rt), 3- White Seaperch (Phanerodon furcatus) (Md), 2- Opaleye (Girella nigricans)(All), 2- Leopard Shark (Triakis semifasciata) (Lft,Rt), 3- Horn Shark (Heterodontus francisci) (Lft,Rt), 5- Thornback (Platyrhinoidis triseriata)

  Facilities:  Next to Fisherman's Cove is Heisler Park which has restroom facilities, picnic tables, grills, pay phones, and change making machines for the paid parking.  The paid parking costs 25 cents per 15 minutes so make sure to bring an appropriate amount of change!  My rule of thumb is every dive at 30 feet takes at least three hours from gear up to strip down.  In case you forget to fill your tank there is a dive shop at the top of PCH on Fairview Street.  Be sure to bring a C-card and have a current visual inspection sticker on your cylinder.

 Diving Information: The top of the reef is in about 10 to 15 feet of water while the bottom of the channels within the reef reach depths of up to 25 feet in the sand.

Please help us out by posting your favorite dive locations in the Divers Input Forum section and keep your eyes open for new dive sights being posted every week!  Thanks for checking us out!