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After Action Reports
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Carmel is the Best Winder Diving
December 06, 2008
Story by Sharon E.
On Dec 6, we assembled at the dock to dive our waters again. The first dive after the return from the Keys and we all looked forward to the “home team” surface conditions. Once we loaded twin cylinders and lots of dive gear, we headed out. The five foot waves, 12 seconds apart were an indication we would make the trip to Carmel. Along the way to Carmel we spotted dolphins. Yes Risso dolphins. The pod might have been 200 plus! Some of them were jumping and slamming down on their sides, others leaped through the water. The water was clear enough to see the dolphins about to jump. It was quite an experience. Soon back underway, a short 30 minutes found us anchored on East Pinnacle. The surface was flat. First off were Les and Bernard. They dropped thru the kelp and were gone. Gary and Scott stepped off and once near the bottom, Gary set the reel. Sharon, Becki and Robert were close behind. Off in another direction went Clinton, John and Cam. At about 94’ the viz was only 55! We kicked along the pinnacle finding all sort of beautiful sea life. The rocks were carpeted in strawberry anemones and orange sponges. As we swam along we observed the kelp bass, greenlings and rock fish scooping up millions of the tiny critters. It was special to observe the fish feeding. Becki and Scott were diving wet so we soon turned the dive to conserve warmth for the safety stop. Soon back on the anchor line, we deco’d in the beautiful kelp forest. We watched several spiraled ringed top snails and kelp bugs wiggle around. This was fun and made the stop pass quickly. Now on the boat and enjoying something warm to drink.
Our next dive was on Butterfly House. Les and Bernard were off first and gone, followed closely by John, Cam and Clinton. Sharon and Becki were last. The viz here was about 45’. We’ll take it! We found a variety of marine life here. Becki found a large crab having lunch. This guy meticulously chomped away at the fishy item…he was painstakingly picked the remains of a barnacle out of its shell. The crab seemed to be enjoying it and could have cared less about us peering over him. Most of us hovered at the 80ft depth, swimming through the sand chutes and giant crevasses. The kelp canopy shadowed the site. It was quite a beautiful sight. We ventured along the structure to find several varieties of nudibranches. We counted 9 different types - yellow, white and brown spotted and that yellow and purple guy, Spanish shawls and more. Meeting at the anchor line, we headed up. Some of us did a mild deco and soon back on the boat. This was a great day of diving and we had another day left.
Sunday, Dec 7, we awoke to perfect diving conditions again. Motoring to Carmel, we encountered that pod of Rissos again. These guys were all around the boat, jumping and playing. Oh…the life of a dolphin. Now moving on to Carmel, we anchored on North Pinnacle. This was a new end of the pinnacle terrain for ADT. So Michael and Les dropped and headed left at the anchor, heading for deep water. Meanwhile Sharon, Hitoshi and Beth went the other way. All around the anchor were pink, coral and lavender hydrocorals with strawberry anemones and sun stars scattered about. It was like someone place the items in a still life. I guess God did just that! We followed the structure, as it got deeper, the marine life lessened. So Sharon signed to the other let’s return to the structure near the anchor. Jim always says, he drops us on the site. This was definitely the case. So back near the anchor, the viz opened up too. All too soon it was time to surface. Back at the anchor at about 30’, the current appeared to pickup. We drifted back to the stern to surface versus the line at the bow. The boat swung simplifying this. We came up right under the ladder.
Dive 2 was on Butterfly House. This dive was just as nice as the day before. Butterfly is always a pleaser. Now motoring back to Monterey to grab lunch and head home. Overall a terrific day of diving. Join us soon!

To see photos of the Rissos, click on the Escapade on the home page, click on photography. Enjoy

For more pictures from the trip, check out our Photo Gallery. Do you have some pictures you would like to add to the gallery? Contact us!

Did you miss out? Our next dive trip is Sunday, Nov 07. Call us today to book your next dive!
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