Dive 204, Casino Point, Catalina Island, California, 24/08/2011

In 11:22, dive time 43 minutes, max depth 18.3 metres.

Ruth's our guide, diving with Irina in Pacific - first dive off California coast, on lovely island of Catalina, in kelp forest. Everything large & colourful - Garibaldi fish, giant black sea bass - a smaller male circling protectively round a larger (2m long) female, large male (pink, white & black) sheeps head posing for photos, abalone, spiral egg case of horned shark, fragile star, giant spined star. We swim among the forest of kelp, enjoying colours, atmosphere of life all around. Fantastic dive - photos ok but a bit grainy due to high ASA (flash not firing).