Camping/Scuba Trip Scorpion Anchorage, Santa Cruz Island

[NeptunesTrident 0]

My buddy and I have planned a camping/scuba trip to Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island. This will be my third time camping / free diving there, but will be our first scuba expedition. I made a previous post on this, months back, asking about the wreck of the Peacock. It seems that there is very little known about this wreck, other then it is NW of Scorpion Rocks laying in 60ft.

 

I am wondering if there are any areas of interest for divers that is located close to Scorpion Anchorage? On my two free dive trips here, I found some shallow kelp beds and reefs located off the pier and over towards little Scorpion Anchorage "which is the closet mooring site". If worst comes to worst, I will just wing it and explore those surrounding areas. But if anyone has dove this area and knows of any particular site which is especially nice for scuba, please share.

 

One site which is described in a diving book I have is Southeast Scorpions. It mentions that there are a series of mini walls and ledges in about 25-65ft of water. Unfortunately there is no map to this specific site in the book and it only has a very vague description of its location. Any data, maps or experience for this area and any site in the general vicinity would be greatly appreciated.

[CompuDude 0]

Check in the SoCal forum on ScubaBoard, that has the biggest number of local divers, and someone will most likely know the answer.

 

You may also want to post over on the diver.net bbs.

[NeptunesTrident 0]

Check in the SoCal forum on ScubaBoard, that has the biggest number of local divers, and someone will most likely know the answer.

 

You may also want to post over on the diver.net bbs.

 

Thanks for the recommendation Compu. Incidentally, I've already posted on DiveVets, BBS and SoCal scubaboard. There doesn't seem to be many people who have dove this area. On my past two trips, I saw one dive boat "The Garabaldi" and a few free-divers/hunters. But besides that no scuba divers, who were shore diving from the anchorage. My trip isn't for another month, so I have plenty of time to gather a game plan.

[davephdv 0]

Have dove scorpions many times.

 

Also have dove and camped and kayaked the area.

 

Peacock is out in the middle of the anchorage. Depth sounds about right.

 

South of little scorpion rock in 55 ft of water is where you will find the sarcastic fringeheads. They are out in the sand. I usually run into a mantis shrimp and and octopus or two when I'm am looking for them. Otherwise the diving is right up against the cliffs.

[NeptunesTrident 0]

Have dove scorpions many times.

 

Also have dove and camped and kayaked the area.

 

Peacock is out in the middle of the anchorage. Depth sounds about right.

 

South of little scorpion rock in 55 ft of water is where you will find the sarcastic fringeheads. They are out in the sand. I usually run into a mantis shrimp and and octopus or two when I'm am looking for them. Otherwise the diving is right up against the cliffs.

 

Very cool... nice to finally talk with someone who's both camped and scuba dived there. Did you do your diving straight from shore or did you kayak/boat out? If you dove the main bay at Scorpion Anchorage, what was it like at depth? I've free-dove the area, but only stayed in the shallows. Any areas of reef that I shouldn't miss? Any specifics about your dives there "entry/exit, headings, depths, point of interests, experience, etc.etc." all would be greatly appreciated.

[CompuDude 0]

Thanks for the recommendation Compu. Incidentally, I've already posted on DiveVets, BBS and SoCal scubaboard. There doesn't seem to be many people who have dove this area. On my past two trips, I saw one dive boat "The Garabaldi" and a few free-divers/hunters. But besides that no scuba divers, who were shore diving from the anchorage. My trip isn't for another month, so I have plenty of time to gather a game plan.

I think HeadHunter and LAJim (both on ScubaBoard and DiveMatrix) have both camped and dove there before. Drop them a PM. Also may be worth shooting a PM to Dr. Bill... he knows quite a bit about the Channel Islands.