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Esmeralda Canyons

Esmeralda Canyons, just off San Pedro, makes for a solid second dive, a nice follow-up to deeper sites nearby. The spur-and-groove formations aren't overly deep, bottoming out around 12 meters, which gives you plenty of no-decompression time to explore. We like to drift along with the usual afternoon current, following the gullies seaward from the mooring line. It's a busy reef with dense stands of staghorn, elkhorn, and brain corals, plus those vibrant azure vase sponges often hosting alien-looking arrow crabs. Keep an eye out for spotted eagle rays cruising the deeper sections and watch for shoals of blue tangs and squirrelfish higher up. It’s a good spot for wide-angle photos, especially when the light is best in the morning.