CAL
COAST DIVERS . COM
INTRODUCING THE WORLD TO THE BEST OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, ONE DIVER AT A TIME
To view more pictures of Old Marineland please click this link!
Can't find a buddy? Dive with us by checking out our DISCOVER LOCAL DIVING TRIPS link!
SERVING:
SAN DIEGO COUNTY
ORANGE COUNTY
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
VENTURA COUNTY
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
CAL COAST DIVERS DIVING LOCATIONS: Old Marineland
DIVING INFORMATION
EQUIPMENT HOME
ABOUT US
Location:
Old Marineland
7103 Westward Beach Rd.
Palos Verdes, CA
Skill Level:
Advanced with experience making rocky bottom entrances.
Diving conditions once in the water can be navigated by most novice divers, however the rocky entrances can be potentially dangerous for divers without experience with these types of entries. Two entry points exist at this beach. The southern cove at this beach is covered entirely by small rocks and rounded boulders. Divers should be aware of the surf conditions, as waves here break relatively close to shore. As sure footing is very difficult to attain at this point for even advanced divers, when crashing waves are added to an already precarious entrance this entry can become very difficult to complete without falling over.
The
northern entrance should only be attempted by expert divers under pristine
conditions. Even under the most perfect conditions divers should still
be exceptio
nally
cautious as even the smallest of waves can pose a threat when rushing between
the large
boulders found at this point. Hard sole dive boots are recommended for
making entrances at both locations.
Attractions:
kayak dive, underwater naturalist, hunting, photography
Visibility: 10-20
feet
Bottom Composition:
Old Marineland is comprised of both a largely sandy bottom in the cove
surrounded by several rock reefs both inside and outside Old Marineland Point.
Kelp is clearly visible to the left and right of the lower beach. The
reef structure varies from large boulders to long shelf structures. Many
of the reef structures are formed into overhangs, while some resemble small
underwater arches. To view pictures of Old Marineland's
reef structure and bottom composition please click
this link!
Dangers:
The dive spot entrances pose the greatest potential of danger to divers.
One not so obvious threat is the long walk to the entrance point. Under
the weight of equipment, and in the confines of a 7mm thick wet suit, the walk
to the entrances exposes divers to over exertion and over-heating.
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.
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:
5-
Calico Bass (Paralabrax clathratus),
5-
Barred
Sand
Bass (Paralabrax nebulifer), 3-
Tree Fish (Sebastes serriceps),
2-
Grass Rockfish (Sebastes rastrelliger),
4- Cabezon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus), 2-
California Scorpion Fish (Scorpaena guttata)
, 4-
Spotted Kelpfish (Gibbonsia elegans), 3-
Giant Kelpfish (Heterostichus rostratus),
4-
Black Eye Goby (Coryphopterus nicholsi)
, 3- California Halibut (Paralichthys
californicus), 4-
California Sheephead (Semicossyphus pulcher),
3- Senorita (Oxyjulis californica), 4- Garibaldi (Hypsypops rubicundus) , 3- White Seaperch (Phanerodon furcatus), 3- Opaleye (Girella nigricans), 4- Thornback (Platyrhinoidis
triseriata), Arthropods: 3-
Sheep Crab (Loxorhynchus grandis),
4- Decorator Crab, 2-
California Spiny Lobster (Panulirus interruptus)
Facilities:
Diving Information:
Old Marineland is a bit of a hike, but well worth the effort.
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 personnel on the phone.
Recompression Chambers – Santa Catalina Island USC Hyperbaric Chamber
Special Thanks: Special thanks go out to Dave Carlson,
Cathy White, and the Pacific Explorers Dive Club who invited us to join them
on their dive. We had a fantastic time exploring the reef, snapping off
some great photos, and sharing some great moments both on land and underwater!
Copyrighted by Ryan Jaeger & Matthew J. Wahlrab 2002 - 20042