Long Beach/ Redondo Beach / Palos Verdes
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Oil Rigs in Long Beach CaliforniaThe oil rigs "Eureka", "Ellen", and "Elly" are situated about 8 miles off Long Beach, California. Eureka is in about 700 feet of water, while Ellen and Elly are in shallower waters of around 260 feet. These rigs offer a unique diving experience, with their beams and columns covered in vibrant invertebrate life, including clusters of Corynactis and Metridium anemones. Divers can also encounter schools of baitfish and playful California sea lions. The combination of the industrial structures and rich marine life makes diving around these rigs a visually stunning and adventurous experience.
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The Palawan Wreck, Redondo Beach, CAThe day we dove this site there was a red tide event with a murky layer from the surface to about 20' where it cleared up into the beautiful visibility you can see in this video.
The Palawan, originally a Liberty Ship, is located off Redondo Beach, California, and serves as an artificial reef. Liberty Ships were WWII-era cargo carriers designed to be constructed quickly and inexpensively. These steel-hulled ships measured 441 feet in length and 56 feet in width. They were equipped with 2,500-horsepower three-cylinder steam engines, allowing them to reach speeds of 11 knots. These vessels were designed to transport a variety of cargo, including jeeps, tanks, ammunition, aircraft, and locomotives. The USS Palawan was launched in 1944 at the Bethlehem-Fairfield shipyard in Baltimore, MD. It was transformed from a cargo ship into a Luzon-Class Internal Combustion Engine Repair Ship. Its primary duty was to maintain and repair engines on various ships. During its service, the USS Palawan was stationed in the Philippines and was responsible for repairing small crafts, primarily minesweepers, in the Pacific theater during the war. Post-war, it provided support in Japan and China before returning to San Diego in 1947. It was then decommissioned and remained in the Pacific Reserve and Naval Defense Reserve fleets. In 1976, the Palawan was acquired for the purpose of artificial reefing. It was sunk off Redondo Beach in 1977, settling upright in approximately 125 feet of water. Due to its depth, diving the Palawan wreck is considered an advanced activity. The ship's superstructure and engines were dismantled before it was sunk, leaving a vast empty hull. The holds of the ship, which are essentially large open rooms, can be penetrated by trained divers. The engine room can be identified by the large valves attached to its walls. The wreck is now inhabited by various marine life, including large crabs and lingcod. Google Maps 33°49'25.2"N 118°24'52.8"W Here's a great writeup from Ash Underwater Another writeup from Blue Water Photo |
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Veterans Park, Redondo BeachVeteran's Park in Redondo Beach, located at 300 George Freeth Way, is renowned as one of the premier dive sites in Los Angeles County. Situated south of the Redondo Beach Pier, it offers divers easy entry and exit points, making it a favorite for both novices and advanced beach divers. The marine life at this site is diverse, with divers frequently spotting Octopus, Sarcastic Fringehead, Scorpionfish, Pipefish, Giant Starfish, Baby Horn Sharks, and an abundance of Sand Dollars. Night dives introduce divers to a different marine ecosystem, including Shrimp, various Crabs, Nudibranchs, Bat Rays, Rockfish, and Eels, with the "monument" area being a hotspot for Rockfish. The visibility at this site can range from 10 to 45 feet, and the recommended diving depths are between 30 to 60 feet, with deeper dives primarily reserved for training. For safety, divers are advised to use equipment like a float, flag, anchor, and descent line. Additionally, it's essential to have a cell phone on hand for emergencies and an oxygen kit. While the site is suitable for diving at any time, it's best to avoid high surf conditions. The underwater canyon's thermocline can get cold around 40 feet, and divers should be prepared for a slightly strenuous climb up the stairs and a walk through the sand.
Dive Center has a nice writeup |
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Malaga Cove, Palos VerdesThis north facing beach is often protected from southern swells
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Honeymoon Cove, Palos VerdesHoneymoon Cove is located one cove south of Lanuda Bay in Palos Verdes. The site offers an easy entry and exit during high tides, but divers should be cautious during outgoing tides as they might encounter shallow slippery rocks. The visibility at this site can be excellent, sometimes reaching up to 40 feet. The cove is relatively shallow, with depths reaching only about 40 feet in the farther areas of the kelp. Divers should be wary of boat traffic, especially near the outer kelp. The marine life at Honeymoon Cove is abundant, making it a delightful spot for underwater exploration.
Accessing the site requires a hike down, which can be steep in certain areas. Some parts of the path are soft, while others feel like walking on marbles. The descent typically takes about 7 minutes. There are three anchor points at the site where divers can attach a line, and occasionally, a line might already be present at the bottom. Having good balance and sure footing is essential for divers accessing this site. |
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SS Avalon Wreck, Palos VerdesMostly collapsed at this point, he Avalon, originally launched as the S.S. Virginia, was a 269-foot passenger steam ship built in May 1891 by the Globe Iron Works of Cleveland, Ohio. With a breadth of 38 feet and weighing 1,985 tons, it primarily ferried passengers between Chicago and Milwaukee. During World War I, it was requisitioned by the Navy and renamed the U.S.S. Blueridge. Later, it was acquired by William Wrigley, the chewing gum magnate, and renamed Avalon. The ship had a storied history, including a grand debut as the "Queen of the Channel" in 1920. By the 1960s, the Avalon had seen better days; after being sold for scrap, a fire gutted what remained of the ship, and it was left moored in the harbor, eventually being condemned as a hazard to navigation. During a storm on September 16, 1964, off Palos Verdes, the dilapidated ship's anchor chain broke, causing it to founder and sink, where it now rests 75 feet below the surface.
California Wreck Divers Writeup |
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