San Nicolas Island
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- Begg Rock- Large pinnacle/ sea mount that sticks out of the water about 15’ and is located eight miles northwest of San Nicolas Island. It is exposed to weather from all directions and on CALM days can be an excellent dive. Now a Marine Reserve (MR) it rises 300 feet from the ocean floor to the surface and is carpeted with invertebrate life, big fish scallops and more. Excellent for photography. Depths are between 40’-130’ plus.
- The Boilers-Very rocky area with lots of submerged rocks and boulders that creates the water to appear to boil from the surge and swell that frequent this area, hence it can only be dived on the calmest of days. Excellent for spearfishing rockfish, lingcod and sheepshead and good hunting for lobsters. Also, plenty of invertebrate life here along with large anemones and gorgonians. Depths are between 35’-80’.
- Alpha area-Diving this area can be quite good for spearfishing and lobster hunting but only on days when the Navy allows entry into the Alpha area. The reef here is rock piles with sand between them having lots of holes and crevice for lobster to hide. Best here for lobster hunting but like all areas around San Nicholas Island there is plenty of small invertebrates on the rocks to give the photographer something to do. Depths are between 30’-60.
- Dutch Harbor-Excellent shallow reef system here and it is the only protected anchorage at San Nicholas Island. Lots of large rocks and structure to explore with crevices and ledges. Plenty of kelp here along with lots of invertebrate life and some fish. Not the best for spearfishing or hunting but great for macro photography. Depths are between 25’-50’.
- Three Mile Reef-Located far offshore and only diveable on calm days but when it is the diving here can be superb. Excellent pinnacle/ rocky reef with lots of structure and crevices to explore. Excellent for spearfishing rockfish, lingcod and sheepshead and good hunting for lobsters. Because it is so exposed it is also great for photography finding plenty of invertebrate life to keep you busy for more than one dive. Depths are between 60’-120’.
- Outer Reefs and Pinnacles- There are plenty of other excellent offshore pinnacles around San Nick just like Three Mile Reef waiting to be dived on calm days. Excellent pinnacle/ rocky reef with lots of structure and crevices to explore. All can be excellent for spearfishing rockfish, lingcod and sheepshead and good hunting for lobsters. Because these sites are so exposed they can also be great for photography finding plenty of invertebrate life to keep you busy for more than one dive. Depths are between 40’-120’.[1]
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