Dive Report Laguna 7/5/08
We four, Lars, Ceci, Maggie and I headed for Laguna and a high tide of 12:30 pm today. We got to Moss Street and Woods Cove at 9:15 or so. The sets were breaking pretty big at Woods. We almost convinced ourselves we could make it through on the lull until a big lone wave came in and broke in 6 feet of water, a bit out from the usual drop zone. That’s par for Woods on big day.
We headed up to Picnic Beach next. The closest parking was 2 blocks away. It looked good there but we decided we’d try to park somewhere closer. Finally we found parking at Crescent Bay. It was mid-morning and I considered myself lucky to get a spot up the street on PCH just past a bus stop with a bench to put my tank on.
Sets were breaking at about 3 to 4 feet. Wave length about 60 feet. We entered on the left side of Crescent Bay to reach the west side of Shaw’s Cove. The lull was good so we charged in. We still got knocked down by a wave and had to turn and swim through a few more. After that little mishap it was smooth sailing. The surge was pretty active at 20 feet but soon diminished as we made our way into deeper water. We cruised out to about 45 feet deep before the reef ended in sand. Lots of little schooling fish, star fish, scallops, sea hares, lobster and some kind of bass. None of the typical game fish like sheephead or calico bass; those must be fished out here. Plenty of sea urchins though; no sheephead to eat them. Go figure…
Temp on the surface: 65+ ( I didn’t notice, it was pretty warm)
Temp at depth: 60F at 25 feet, 49F at 45 feet
Visibility: 8 to 12 feet
Swells out of the south southwest
It was sunny and hot by mid-day when we finished. Still, all in all, I’m glad we went later for the high tide. The surge would have been much worse at the mid-depths earlier in the morning at low tide.
For a late lunch we cruised up PCH to MacArthur Blvd in Corona Del Mar for burgers, shakes and fries at Ruby’s. Yummy food and a good day of diving too.
Dave and Maggie
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