The beautiful sea creatures of the Mu Ko Similan National Park. A total of 9 islands famous for its dive sites. The sea in the area has an average depth of 60 feet. Underwater it is full of rock formations and coral reefs in several shapes and forms, resembling such things as deer, leaves, brains, and mushrooms. It has typically two different kinds of diving. East side diving consists of gently sloping coral reefs with sandy patches with the occasional boulder in-between. The west side is known for its huge underwater granite boulders with numerous swim-throughs.
We spent 5 days (15 dives total) live aboard on the Thai-Scubanet dive boat led by the Scuba Jam dive shop in Thailand. From Bangkok, we flew into Phuket and took a shuttle caravan to the marine dock to board our live aboard boat. While this is my 2nd time diving in the Similian Islands, it’s always different. Conditions were nice for this time of the year. Visibility even on a bad day is always ALOT BETTER than Southern California. Definitely sadden when we had to leave the Similian Islands.
A dive trip to the Anacapa Island this past weekend with friends (Sara, Goy, Non, Ning) to say farewell to our good friend, Tawin Yavapolkul, who will soon return back to Thailand. I have to say of the times I’ve been to the Channel Islands, this trip was the best diving conditions I’ve seen. At least 100ft visibility, 68 degrees, and minimal currents. Overall 3 dives (1 at the Goldfish Bowl, and 2 at the Cathedral Cove) with the best dive being the last when playful seals gave us a show of a lifetime.
The island’s name was derived from its Chumash Native American Indian name Anypakh. Seeming to change shape in the summer fog or afternoon heat, the three islets of Anacapa look like an island of deception or a mirage.
Curious seal swiming towards us.
The rocky shores of Anacapa are perfect resting and breeding areas for California sea lions and harbor seals. The raucous barking of sea lions can be heard from most areas of the island. Two overlooks (Cathedral Cove and Pinniped Point) provide excellent spots to look down on seals and sea lions in the island coves. Anacapa’s rich kelp forests (ideal for kayaking, snorkeling, and diving) and tidepool areas provide visitors with the opportunity to meet some of the resident ocean animals up close.
Curious seal swiming towards us.
Spanish Shawl nudibranch on half shell. Anacapa Island Sony RX100M2 Subsee 10+ diopter
Class OW-BCH 48 (Left to Right) Katie Price, Michelle Truong, Aaron Manji, Yi Zhang, Garnik Margaryan, Jay Williams
How best to summarize this group of Open Water Divers students? They challenged my RDP tables and dive planning skills when I decided to throw out some theoretical dive planning profiles. They all transitioned very well into open water dives 1-2 having the opportunity to dive at Veterans Park in Redondo Beach, California and dives 3-4 at Shaws Cove in Laguna Beach, California. Conditions were 2-3 ft with swells between 4 – 9 seconds. At times there were rogue waves as high as 6 ft which made entry challenging for those who had trouble putting on their fins.
After the final dive, we all gathered at a local Tacos & Beer restaurant for lunch, good chats, and of course the certification paperwork and PADI temporary cards. Overall, it was a pleasure teaching this group.
Dive 1-4 Log Book
Dive 1: Veterans Park, Redondo Beach (Sept 11, 2021) —————————- Start time: 8:30 AM End time: 9:05 AM Max depth: 22 ft. Surface temp: 77 degrees Bottom temp: 64 degrees Dive Time: 35 minutes Visibility: 10ft. Exposure Protection: Wetsuit, Hood, Gloves, Boots Condition: Saltwater shore diving, 2-3ft swell Start PSI: between 2400 – 3000 psi (varies by student) End PSI: between 800 – 1200 psi (varies by student) Skills Completed: Hand signal recognition, Equipment preparation, donning and adjustment, Predive safety check, Entry, Buoyancy / Weight check, Controlled descent, Trim check, Partila mask flood, Regualtor recovery/clear, Underwater exploration, Signal air supply, Stay close to buddy, Ascent, Safety Stop, Exit Flexible Skills: Cramp Removal, Tired diver tow, Snorkel / Regulator exchange Bottom Time to Date: 35 minutes Cumulative Time: 35 minutes
Dive 2: Veterans Park, Redondo Beach (Sept 11, 2021) —————————- Start time: 10:15 AM End time: 11:50 AM Max depth: 25 ft. Surface temp: 80 degrees Bottom temp: 64 degrees Dive Time: 35 minutes Visibility: 10ft. Exposure Protection: Wetsuit, Hood, Gloves, Boots Condition: Saltwater shore diving, 2-3ft swell Start PSI: between 2400 – 3000 psi (varies by student) End PSI: between 800 – 1200 psi (varies by student) Skills Completed: Plan dive, Equipment preparation, donning and adjustment, Predive safety check, entry and weight check, Orally inflate BCD (surface), Descent, Buoyancy control, Mask clearing, Alternate air source use/ascent, Underwater exploration, Avoid contact, Stay close to buddy, signal air supply, ascent, Safety Stop, exit Flexible Skills: Remove/replace scuba (surface), Remove/replace weights (surface), Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent Bottom Time to Date: 35 minutes Cumulative Time: 70 minutes
Dive 3: Shaws Cove, Laguna Beach (Sept 12, 2021) —————————- Start time: 08:35 AM End time: 09:10 AM Max depth: 40 ft. Surface temp: 77 degrees Bottom temp: 64 degrees Dive Time: 35 minutes Visibility: 10ft. Exposure Protection: Wetsuit, Hood, Gloves, Boots Condition: Saltwater shore diving, 2-3ft swell Start PSI: between 2400 – 3000 psi (varies by student) End PSI: between 800 – 1200 psi (varies by student) Skills Completed: Plan dive, Equipment preparation, donning and adjustment, Predive safety check, Entry and weight check, Free descent, Buoyancy control / Oral inflation, Mask remove / replace, Underwater exploration, avoid contact, Stay close to buddy, Signal air supply, Ascent, Safety Stop, Exit Flexible Skills: Surface swim with compass, Underwater compass navigation Bottom Time to Date: 105 minutes Cumulative Time: 140 minutes
Dive 4: Shaws Cove, Laguna Beach (Sept 12, 2021) —————————- Start time: 10:15 AM End time: 11:50 AM Max depth: 25 ft. Surface temp: 77 degrees Bottom temp: 64 degrees Dive Time: 35 minutes Visibility: 10ft. Exposure Protection: Wetsuit, Hood, Gloves, Boots Condition: Saltwater shore diving, 2-3ft swell Start PSI: between 2400 – 3000 psi (varies by student) End PSI: between 800 – 1200 psi (varies by student) Skills Completed: Plan dive using slate, Equipment preparation, donning and adjustment, Predive safety check, Entry and weight check, Free descent without reference, avoid contact, Stay close to buddy, Signal air supply, Signal turn point, Underwater exploration, Ascent, Safety Stop, Exit Flexible Skills: Inflatable signal tube / DSMB Deployment Bottom Time to Date: 140 minutes Cumulative Time: 175 minutes
Horseshoe Bend: a horseshoe-shaped meander of the Colorado River located near the town of Page, Arizona, in the United States. It is located 5 miles (8.0 km) downstream from the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, about 4 miles (6.4 km) southwest of Page. Just a few miles away from Horseshoe Bend is also the famous Antelope slot canyon
It is accessible via a 1.1-mile (1.8 km) hike from U.S. Route 89, but an access road also reaches the geological structure, as it is part of a state park. The Horseshoe Bend can be viewed from the steep cliff above.
The overlook is 4,200 feet (1,300 m) above sea level and the Colorado River is at 3,200 feet (980 m) above sea level, making it a 1,000-foot (300 m) drop.
