Kelp Forest of Seal Rock, Laguna Beach, California

One of my favorite kelp forest locations to dive is next to Seal Rock of Laguna Beach, California. This kelp forest starts at the north end of Crescent Bay, where the shore reef sticks out into the waves. It starts as shallow kelp patches over sea grass and a rocky algae covered reef. it’s also at this point you’ll notice all the diverse and thriving local fish going about their day without being terrified of your presence. Thanks to Laguna Beach’s strict ocean conservation laws, fishing and gathering of any kind is illegal here.

Now you turn north towards Seal Rock, which towers out of the water and waves in the near distance. The kelp patches turn into a dense kelp forest which becomes deep quick. At it’s southern end, it’s only a few feet deep in it’s shallow sections. Half way to Seal Rock, it’s 12 to 16’ deep. At it’s deepest end, right next to Seal Rock, it’s about 18 to 20’ deep pending the tide.

The space in between the kelp is enough to easily cruise the bottom and not get tangled up. In this Kelp Forest you’ll come across much beautiful ocean life. From Harbor Seals and Sea Lions to Tope Sharks, Leopard Sharks and Horn Sharks. Along with hundreds of large fish with the most common being Garibaldis, Calico Bass, Opal Eyes, Senorita Wrasse, Zebra Perch, Sheepheads along with many more.

The Kelp forest is an amazing ecosystem thriving with life. From the bottom, it feels like an entire different alien world. From the cold sensation of the water, the constant crackling and swooshing underwater sound to the back and forth current, forcefully moving everything. The deeper you go, the darker it gets, where very little of the ambient sunlight reaches. But when you look up from the bottom, you see the bright sun in the distance, dancing in the ocean waves.

Read more about the Kelp Forest at Seal Rock of Laguna Beach in the Articles Section

‍ ‍Freediving Laguna Beach, Crescent Bay to Seal Rock