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COAST DIVERS . COM
INTRODUCING THE WORLD TO THE BEST OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, ONE DIVER AT A TIME
LOBSTER SEASON 2003 BEGINS SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2003 AT 12:01 AM
SERVING:
SAN DIEGO COUNTY
ORANGE COUNTY
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
VENTURA COUNTY
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
CAL COAST DIVERS NICHOLAS CANYON BEACH
DIVING INFORMATION
EQUIPMENT HOME
ABOUT US
Jacques Yves Cousteau Memorial
Location:
Casino Point in Avalon, Santa Catalina Island
Avalon, CA
Attractions:
aturalist, photography, videography, and DPV
Experience
Level:
Novice to experienced divers will find Casino
Point a relatively easy entry and exit. Depths at the park range from 0 feet
down to 90 feet in the park and drop down to 130 feet (leaving the park is not
recommended since boat traffic is heavy almost year round.
Visibility:
10 to 65 feet
Bottom
Composition:
he composition
surrounding the Jacques Yves Cousteau is largely rocky, with interspersed
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. The large red X’s are used as indicators where
experienced divers may make their entrance for this dive. The routes we have
indicated for this dive location are 15 minute kicks and require a diver to be
able to stay down at least 45 minutes to a maximum depth of 46 feet. The kelp
paddy on the left is the more advanced entrance of the two and following this
path will take you maximize the attractions you will see. The right kelp paddy
offers less rocks however the surf is much larger in this location. When
diving during the winter or summer months be aware of surfers when making your
entrance. Again this location is for advanced divers only.
Dangers:
In winter time the surge and rocky entrance poses a problem to divers diving
all locations on this beach. Surge is prevalent during the large winter storms
and is not recommended for novice divers. Hunting at this beach can pose
additional problems as the additional weight combined with a long surface and
return kick can fatigue the fittest of divers.
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- Garuanteed 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, typically if seen this fish may be found seasonally
Fish: 4-
Calico Bass (Paralabrax clathratus),
5- Barred
Sand Bass (Paralabrax nebulifer),
2-
Tree Fish (Sebastes serriceps),
2-
Grass Rockfish (Sebastes rastrelliger),
3- Cabezon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus), 2-
California Scorpion Fish (Scorpaena guttata),
3-
Giant Kelpfish (Heterostichus rostratus),
3-
Black Eye Goby (Coryphopterus nicholsi),
3- California Halibut (Paralichthys californicus), 4-
California Sheephead (Semicossyphus pulcher),
2- Senorita (Oxyjulis californica), 4- Garibaldi (Hypsypops
rubicundus), 3- White Seaperch (Phanerodon furcatus), 3- Opaleye (Girella
nigricans), 3- Leopard Shark (Triakis semifasciata), 2- Spiny
Dogfish (Squalus acanthias), 3- Horn Shark (Heterodontus francisci),
2- Shovelnose Guitarfish (Rhinobatos productus), 4- Thornback (Platyrhinoidis
triseriata), 2-
Spotted Kelpfish (Gibbonsia elegans)
Arthropods: 4-
Sheep Crab (Loxorhynchus grandis),
2- Decorator Crab, 4-
California Spiny Lobster (Panulirus interruptus)
Facilities:
Restrooms,
lockers, and air fills are all located at Casino Point year round. Air
fills are only available in the winter time during the weekend. Also
bring enough quarters if you plan on using them. Each time you lock
items in the locker you will need to deposit 75 cents. Items should not
be left in the locker over night.
Diving
Information:
If you have any questions, comments, or anything to add to our description of Nicholas Canyon please contact us. We need your input to make this dive page the number one free resource page on the net! So post a message in the Input section or drop us a line! We would love to hear from you!
Emergency
Information:
Emergency Number: 911
(919) 684-8111 DAN
(805) 497-2727 Doctor
(800) 876-4766 Poison Control
Evacuation – should be determined by the condition of the patient and the recommendation of the emergency operator on the phone.
Recompression Chambers – USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber or Los Robles Medical Center
One Last Note:
Copyrighted by Ryan Jaeger & Matthew J. Wahlrab 2002 - 20032