2023.9.18 | Farnsworth Banks & San Clemente Island
Over the past weekend, I embarked again on an adventurous sailing and diving expedition to Catalina and San Clemente Island in the company of my friends Bill and Eric.
Our departure from the dock took place around 5 pm as we set our sights on Catalina Island. The anticipation of the voyage, coupled with the ocean breeze and the enchanting sunset, filled us with excitement. As darkness descended, the sky transformed into a canvas adorned with millions of stars, creating a breathtaking backdrop for our nighttime crossing. We reached the Farnsworth Bank around 8 am, and the ocean lay as calm as a lake. Eric and Bill took the first plunge into the water, while I awaited my turn after they surfaced. Having the vast expanse of the ocean all to myself was a serene experience. The water’s surface appeared murky in the first 50 feet, but as I descended to approximately 90 feet, a magnificent underwater pinnacle came into view. This natural wonder was adorned with lush kelp and vibrant purple coral. Along the pinnacle’s edge, a bustling congregation of blacksmith fish gracefully danced amidst the gentle currents.
Following our initial dive, news of San Clemente Island reopening on Saturday prompted an immediate change in our plans. We made a brief stop at Avalon to refuel before setting our course for San Clemente. As soon as we passed the corner of the island, a refreshing ocean breeze graced us, prompting us to hoist our sails. The breeze was gentle and calm, but it provided us with ample speed, allowing us to sail all the way to San Clemente, where we anchored at the Fishhook for the night.
Saturday morning greeted us with overcast skies and brisk winds. Our initial destination had been the Arch, but a small fishing boat had claimed the spot before us. We opted to explore China Hat instead, and to our surprise, there was no discernible current beneath the turbulent surface waters. The structure at China Hat was steep, and as soon as we descended, two enormous seabass swam by, elegantly maneuvering amidst the swaying kelp. The absence of sunlight lent an air of mystery to the forested underwater landscape. An algae bloom in the first twenty feet of water reduced visibility but attracted an abundance of marine life, surpassing our expectations. After our initial dive, the fishing boat had vacated the Arch, allowing us to anchor and descend into a captivating cave adorned with colorful gorgonians. For our third dive, we explored a new site known as “the cave,” situated near a vast kelp forest. Although no actual cave existed around the structure, the thriving kelp bed teemed with life. After the third dive, we pulled the anchor and set a course for home, watching the silhouette of San Clemente gradually fade into the darkness once more.