I have a confession to make: It’s been weeks since my last time diving La Jolla Shores. Conditions have been less than wonderful and life has gotten in the way. This morning, a friend and I finally got back in the water (in honor of his birthday!) and had a great time. It sounds silly, but diving at the Shores this morning and visiting all the usual suspects was a little like coming home.
Off the La Jolla Shores beach, most divers like to surface-swim out to the edge of the canyon before dropping under. I personally prefer to swim underwater on the shallow sand, because I love the things I see there–snails, crabs, and sand dollars for sure, and the occasional (if I’m lucky) guitarfish, angel shark, halibut, or juvenile horn shark. We did a little of both, and spent a few minutes on the sand before arriving at the canyon.
One of the first things I saw in the shallows was a patch of squid eggs. It reminded me of the squid run late last year, which set the scene for some of my favorite dives of all time.
The sandy shallows at La Jolla Shores are always riddled with crabs. Here, one indulges its cannibalistic tendencies…
And a pair relish the privacy afforded by a few sand dollars…
Once we got over to the canyon wall, I saw a nudibranch I’ve never seen before, Diaulula sandiegensis (San Diego Dorid). From its name, I’m guessing it’s actually pretty common, and the fault for never having seen it is all my own!
We also saw some pretty tube anemones…
… and lots of brown rockfish.
Total dive time was 57 minutes; maximum depth was 79 feet; average depth was 45 feet. Visibility was 10-15 feet. Temperatures ranged from 53F to 61F.
It was so great to be back diving La Jolla Shores again!
Comments
14 responses to “Diving La Jolla Shores, San Diego: The Usual Suspects”
How beautiful!! I just love the first anemone, the yellow is amazing. And look at that crab!
Thank you so much for linking up with Love Bug again, and I love taking your underwater adventures with you (even if they are through a computer screen!) :)
Really great photos!!! I love the rows of sand dollars! Amazing color! Do you put these on Pinterest?
Amazing shots!! Enjoyed each one♥
These shots make my heart sing! Nothing makes me happier than under the sea. If I can’t be there, your shots are the next best thing. Joining you from And then she snapped.
These shots make my heart sing! Nothing makes me happier than under the sea. If I can’t be there, your shots are the next best thing. Joining you from And then she snapped. Have a great week.
Wow, beautiful underwater photography – which I’ve never done! You must live only 1 1/2 hrs. South from me in Costa Mesa!Good to meet you:)
Thanks for sharing! These are great shots! I love La Jolla! (although I must admit, I’m a land-dweller) :)
I miss going under water and seeing the beautiful flowers, corals, and fish. It has ben a long, long time, but your photos brought back beautiful memories. I am so glad you got to go back to your places. We live in the mountains of VA so I am lucky when I see a river , creek, or pond. This is a beautiful post. Lovely shots. genie
Living in the midsection of the country, we never see anything this interesting! Gorgeous shots. Fascinating creatures.
spectacular! So many wonderful colours.
Ooo These are beautiful! I used to dive, though I don’t recall ever seeing anything as awesome as those sand dollars. The color! wow. The orange guy in the first photo is what caught my on My3Boybarians. So pretty. This is a great series!
How wonderful!!! Some beautiful shots! Not much underwater photography in the photoblogs…unique and beautiful!
I only learned to swim as an adult and never found the time (and courage) to do underwater diving, but if ever I would be tempted, it would be after seeing these wonderful photos. The first and last photos, as well as the beautiful sand dollars, really caught my eye. Thank you!
I was wondering if you could answer a question I have about La Jolla shores. Back in the early 1970’s I dove there and there was a statue underwater. Can you tell me anything about it. I think it was at a depth of about 45 feet.