7/8 SaltWater State Park

Jeff Pack · Post by **Jeff Pack** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 3:55 pm

Met up with fnerg for an 8:30 splash to hit the artificial reefs at SaltWater State Park.

Overall, the viz was outstanding. IN the shallows (less than 40) is was a nice clear 20+ viz. really clear!

Below alittle hazy, but an easily diveable 15.

I'm not a fish boi, so I'll let fnerg layout the what we saw. I did see 2 octo's all curled up way back in the rocks. Indications of a 3rd, but nothing to be seen.

SW park is a nice dive site. I was a little intimidated with story of a long surface swim, but it was no big deal. Didnt even need my scooter. Entrance other than a few logs, entry was really easy, and we had no current to deal with, nor surface rollers.

We hit the 3 different reefs, and overall I had a good time with a new dive buddy.

This is a site due for another dive or 2, I just need to learn the navigation, as this dive was just a tag along. I paid no attention to the navigation between the piles.

A good place for some scoot'n as well.

I really dont understand though the current sensitive nature of this site, given its just a couple of miles from Redondo.

Dusty2 · Post by **Dusty2** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 4:49 pm

Check some of the older posts. I think it was Janna who had real good maps of the site showing where everything was going.

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 6:15 pm

It's not current sensitive in my experience. I've dove there on huge exchange days and zilch for current.

fnerg · Post by **fnerg** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 6:32 pm

I've run into current there a few times, so it can definitely get you.

Anyway, I saw a spiny dogfish for the first time during the surface swim, fifteen feet below us, and a big school of sandlance on the swim back. I did a REEF survey, and counted 27 different kinds of the critters that REEF monitors, including a few vermillion rockfish, and a metric ton of moon jellies. There were even some juvenile rockfish hiding from the big lings scattered around the site.

Great dive today.

Jeff Pack · Post by **Jeff Pack** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 6:40 pm

I'm wondering if the current you refer to is that infamous 'Redondo River' that just pops up and goes away. Bob and I hit that on my last class. That stuff was just shy of us calling the dive, but was gone 15m later.

But it was a fun dive and the viz was really good. I'm surprised more people dont dive it.

LCF · Post by **LCF** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 8:56 am

I really don't know the site very well yet, but I can tell you from experience that SURFACE current there can be fierce, if the wind is blowing from the south.

fmerkel · Post by **fmerkel** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 10:21 am

Jeff Pack wrote: I'm surprised more people don't dive it.

Before they put the new reef there it was a dull site with a pathetic tire reef and a long swim. When they put the $5 park fee on that about killed it off completely for diving. Somehow it hasn't gotten the interest it deserves since the new reef was built. Definitely gets a little better every year.

diverden · Post by **diverden** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 11:26 am

I haven't been there in about 2 years, not sure why, I think it's a great site. Are there any buoys left on it? I've seen some good maps of the site.

fmerkel · Post by **fmerkel** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 11:54 am

The buoys have been torn up. Last I saw there was one left. Randy Williams (RDW in the forum) is trying to put together a slush fund for reinstalling several. He has some 'blanks' that are very much like the WSA ones.

Jeff Pack · Post by **Jeff Pack** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 7:33 am

Saw a recent post somewhere about the WSA getting new Buoys put up.

fmerkel · Post by **fmerkel** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 9:00 am

Randy is working with WSA on that.

Fritz

Jeff Pack · Post by **Jeff Pack** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 12:01 pm

ah, that was it, was in a tacoma scuba eblast...

Northwest Dive Club