reef

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Centissima Reef

Centissima Reef is one of those California dives that sticks with you, even if the vis isn’t always twenty feet. We love it for the sheer density of life clinging to every surface, a classic cold-water explosion of colour. Forget those tropical clichés; here, it’s all about the massive schools of American Shad, so thick they can genuinely block out the sun for a moment, and the constant flash of Shiner Perch darting between the kelp stalks. Our favourite time to hit Centissima is on a calm morning, just after a good north swell has passed through, which tends to clear things up a bit. Keep an eye out for Cape Sharks tucked into crevices – they’re fairly common here, if you know where to look. While it might not have the dramatic drop-offs of some other spots, the vibrant invertebrate life, from spiral bryozoans to those funky carpet sea squirts, makes it a rewarding slow drift. This site is perfect for photographers who appreciate the intricate details of a temperate reef, or anyone who enjoys feeling completely enveloped by a living ecosystem.