Dive Travel Notes:
Mendocino, California
Posted by Nancy Barnett on BA Diving on 5 April 2015.
My family owned a home in Fort Bragg many years and Scott and I lived in it 50% for three years before moving to Prunedale. We mostly dove Russian Gulch and took our kayaks out there some of the time. The beach is easy entry but a bit of a long walk across sand. We preferred the North side of the cove as far out as we were willing to swim but not past the wash rocks. The swim out is probably equivalent to Point Lobos surface swims to get to the better areas. Got some really nice dives when we took the kayaks but stayed inside the wash rocks. Outside the cove currents can be unpredictable. We only took the kayaks out there once, had no current when we started but we descended into thick crud that we believed was deteriorating kelp. It even got warmer as we descended, that was really strange. On the way back to the kayaks the current was starting to pickup. Fortunately, it was running in the right direction for us. One winter we had a Gray Whale come inside the cove while we were out with our kayaks and on the same day there were leopard sharks all over in knee deep water. Very cool but, a rare occurrence. You probably already know that it can be tough to find a day with good vis up there. Russian Gulch is protected so that helps in terms of conditions.
As Brianna said, if the water is calm the Blow Hole at Mendocino is really great for macro. Nudibranch heaven. But, the surge can be really bad and it is only 10-15 ft deep so it really has to be a calm day at high tide. This is not a “cave dive” as you can always surface to air. Before taking your gear out, walk out and look into the blow hole to check water movement. If a lot of water is moving don't go. If you swim through the cave and out the west opening of the cave be very careful coming back into the cave. There is a blind cave to the south (right side heading back in) We have heard if the surge is bad it can be especially dangerous getting into that cave. Stay to the left (north) The worst part of this dive is the walk backup the stairs. But if you hit a good day it is worth it.
Probably the prettiest shore dive is off the Mendocino Headlands. But, it is a rock entry and best done first time with someone experienced with that site. Again, it has to be very calm to go that one.
I threw together some images from Russian Gulch and the Mendo Blow Hole. The first are from Russian Gulch. Starting with the Bull Kelp image that was at the opening to the Blow Hole the rest are from the Blow Hole. All of the nudibranch images were taken on one dive.
Posted by Charlie Notthoff on BA Diving on 6 April 2015.
It looks like you've already gotten a lot of good suggestions. I'd like to add one more spot.
Just north of the town of Mendocino and south of Russian Gulch (in fact it's two coves over from RG) there is a road marked as 500D. Google Maps lists it as Woodstock Dr, but I've never seen that on a sign. Once you've turned off Hwy 1, you might see the trail down the hill to your left around 0.3 miles down this road.
I recommend taking the short hike to the cove before suiting up. It's an easy trail with one big step. You can get a good look at the cove and your entry spot if you turn right before the step down to the rocks. Most of us enter from the flat rock on the south side of the cove
The advantage of Jack Peter's Cove over Russian Gulch is that you can hit deeper water (50 to 70 ft.) and rocky bottom without the long swim. There are a few swim throughs that can be fun on a calm day. Navigation isn't tough there, but a compass is good to make sure you come back through the right channel.
I've taken many entry-level and advanced classes to this cove. It isn't a secret spot, so it can get crowded on weekends. Your plan to dive it on Thursday should work out great.
The SSP dive shop is run by great folks. If you are worried about air fills, call ahead (707-964-3793). If the ocean isn't friendly that day, you can hike the Botanical Gardens or enjoy the fine brews at the Northcoast Brewery on the north end of Fort Bragg.
Posted by Ben Troxell on BA Diving on 12 April 2015.
We made 2 dives last Thursday (4/9) in Russian Gulch. The ocean was pretty calm (3’-4’) so we took our kayaks and paddled out through the mouth of the cove and headed north a few hundred yards. We dropped down in 60’ of water to a rocky bottom. The bottom was covered with encrusting coralline algae (the pink covering), no kelp but lots of urchins. We headed southwest towing the kayaks since we were warned of currents. About half way through the dive, the current picked up as did the number of fish. We saw a large variety of rock fish, blues, blacks chinas, and vermilions. We came up a little south of the mouth of the cove at some pinnacles after enjoying 20’+ visibility.
Due to the current, for the second dive we anchored just inland of the main wash rock and swam south (out of the cove). We started in 20’ of water and hit 40’ before turning around. The vis was still great and we saw a quite a few fish, just not the variety as out further. One big difference between the 2 dives was the number of abalone. On the first dive I saw 6-8 abalone and on the second, the bottom was covered with them.
The temperature was 50 on the first dive and 52 on the second. All-in-all, 2 nice dives. And thanks again for all of the great advice, it made the dives enjoyable and safer.