Freediving Goff Island of Laguna Beach
Goff Island Reef by Andre Navarro
Just past sunrise, the water was extremely cold. It was going to be a sunny day and conditions for visibility were reported to be good. Waves less than 2', minimal to no wind and the tide differences were small. I couldn't wait to get below the surface ! today's freedive was going to be at the beautiful and secluded north side of Goff Island Reef of Laguna Beach, California. Mostly an area frequented by guests at the nearby luxurious Montage Resort along with the locals. Surprisingly, it's not an area commonly known for snorkeling or diving, even though the underwater environment here is amazingly beautiful and filled with many species of thriving fish.
Goff Island Reef by Andre Navarro
Goff Island is a huge rock structure that stretches from the beach out into the ocean from various depths of just a few feet to 25’ plus. There are calmer inner reef sides protected from the waves and an outer deep reef open to the ocean and all it’s current and waves. Today I’m entering from the northern side of the shallow reef where it’s calm and less turbulent. This area is filled with schools of fish, kelp patches and lots of colorful seaweed and algae. When the conditions are right, the water is extremely clear and turquoise in color like the Caribbean. Today was one of those days.
Goff Island Shallow Reef by Andre Navarro
Immediately upon entry, only about 15’ from shore into the first shallow reef area, I'm surrounded by fish. Each species behaves differently where and how they swim. Garibaldi Damselfish, which is California's State Fish are big, bright orange and bold in demeanor. They tend to circle their territories within a few feet and don't travel in groups. Sargo Seabream are medium, mostly gray with a black vertical stripe mid body. Sargo usually travel in large schools circling in and out of the reefs and tend to swim towards the surface. Then there are the Calico Kelp Bass which are the color of kelp and get very large like footballs. They are friendly and curious. They always swim right up to me and stare and often follow me around closely as I explore.
Sargo Seabream by Andre Navarro
As I continue into the deeper shallow reefs, there are more varieties of fish nearby. One of my favorites are the California Sheepheads, with their huge scary teeth. The females are mostly dark gray. However, the males have a bright white chin and dark red body. In most areas, this fish is hunted and very skittish because of it. In Laguna Beach, fishing is not allowed so they thrive here and are not afraid of people. The environment is filled with kelp patches, seaweed, seagrass and many different type and colors of algae from green, brown to red. All this illuminated by the sparkling sun which underwater looks like a bright disco ball.
California Sheephead by Andre Navarro
Now it’s time to cross over onto the open ocean side of the reefs, where it gets deep fast. The waves and current on this side are very strong, even when the conditions are good. I love to explore into the big deep crevasses that open at the top of the reef and go all the way down to the bottom. This task takes long breath holds, controlled fear and careful fish management. Once into the crevasses and to the bottom, it fills like a whole different world. Time feels like it slows and the visuals vividly burn into my memory. This is something I never imagined I would be doing.
Goff Island Reef Crevasses by Andre Navarro
Once I’m in the water, I quickly lose track of time. All land thoughts disappear as the beauty and wonder of the ocean floods all my senses. All I can focus on is getting back under and getting the best angles and subjects captured on video. After several hours of exploring and diving down deeper and deeper, my camera batteries run out, which signals it's time to return to land. It was a fantastic day. I feel fortunate to swim with all the thriving fish in their gorgeous underwater environment. I feel a part of nature and my belonging in the world.
Freediving Goff Island Reef Crevasses by Andre Navarro
The accompanying Youtube video is first hand footage captured by Andre Navarro while freediving the north side of Goff Island. The second Youtube video is footage of freediving nearby Treasure Island Reefs of Laguna Beach. Both videos are from the “Travel, Explore & Dive” series which is fully narrated. Subscribe and sign up to our Newsletter to not miss future adventures !Published by: Andre Navarro of Ocean Earth Green
I’m Andre Navarro, Southern California freediver and underwater videographer. I create ocean life adventure videos to connect viewers to our amazing underwater world to motivate stronger conservation and ocean life awareness. You can follow my ocean adventures here at OceanEarthGreen.com and view all my current and past videos at Youtube.com/OceanEarthGreen.