reef

Log This Dive

Naples Reef

Naples Reef, off the Gaviota Coast, is the kind of site that makes you work for it, but the payoff is usually worth the effort. We love the sheer density of life clinging to every surface here, a stark contrast to some of the sandier spots along the coast. It’s a shallower dive, maybe 10-15 metres on average, but you could spend an entire hour exploring just a small section of reef. The giant kelp forest is the first thing that hits you – golden stalks swaying, filtering the light into ethereal shafts. Descending through that kelp canopy, you’ll start spotting the resident population of blue rockfish and kelp bass, often hanging out in lazy schools. Look closely for the smaller stuff too: we’ve found nudibranchs of every colour tucked into crevices, and more often than not, a grumpy sheephead will eye you from a rocky overhang. The red sea urchins are everywhere, creating a prickly purple carpet in places, and you’ll see the occasional common thresher shark glide through the murkier edges if you’re lucky. We’d suggest going on a calm day; the surge can really pick up here, making photography tricky. It’s a good spot for divers comfortable navigating kelp and a bit of current, offering a real taste of California’s rugged underwater beauty.