wreck

Log This Dive

Cress Street

Cress Street isn’t just some random pile of metal. This is the remains of a Prohibition-era rum runner, a bona fide piece of history lying just off Laguna Beach. At only 9m, it’s a brilliant spot for newer divers, but don’t mistake easy access for a lack of interest. We love how the hull plates are now completely draped in anemones – brilliant orange and purple jewels waving in the surge, making the steel feel alive. The wreck itself is scattered, really, more a collection of ribs and plates than a defined ship, but that’s part of its charm. You can cruise over sections of the old engine block, now home to grumpy-looking cabezon, or poke around the twisted hull where garibaldi dart in and out of the crevices. Look for the nudibranchs here, especially the Spanish shawls, bright against the rusty metal. Our favourite part? The way the kelp fronds sway over the entire site, creating these shafts of green light through the water, making it feel ancient and a little mysterious. Best dived at high slack tide to avoid the strongest surge and give you the clearest views of this unique little wreck.