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Californian Sea Lions make for a great trip to La Jolla

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After returning from an epic trip photographing Great White Sharks in Guadalupe Island in Mexico aboard Nautilus Belle Amie, we decided that it would be a shame to fly straight home when there was so much to do in Southern California. So, we hired a car and headed to La Jolla to meet up with local underwater photographer Jami Leslie Feldman (Underwater Paparazzi) who was kind enough to show us around and take us diving and snorkelling at the local hotspots. We stopped in at House of Scuba to rent some tanks and weights for a couple of days and then planned to make a couple of dives and also to do some snorkelling in the area too.

There are two main spots to explore, La Jolla Shores and La Jolla Cove. Both are very popular with locals and visitors alike, so if you are diving and want to park near the entrance, you need to get there early. Alas, the wind had kicked up just before we arrived, and the visibility was not at its best, but at least the seas had calmed enough for us to explore. La Jolla Shore can be easily snorkelled and you share the water with plenty of other ocean loving people who swim, snorkel, kayak and paddleboard in this huge sandy bay. Under the water, bright orange Garibaldi fish stand out against the seaweed.

What we wanted to see the most was the Leopard Shark that famously congregate in this area, and whilst we did not have clear water or large numbers, we were lucky enough to catch a glimpse. We also saw a couple of sea turtles grazing, rays resting on the sandy bottom and a host of fish patrolling the bay. We were surprised to be warm enough snorkelling in just our shorts and T-shirts – but you do have to be careful not to burn, so a thin wetsuit might have been a better idea.

La Jolla Cove is a sight to behold! Sea lions and humans in such close proximity, sunbathing on the beach and playing in the water together is something we have never encountered before. Here you can dive in the kelp to look for Seven Gill Sharks (alas we were not lucky this time) or stay in the shallows to play with the sea lions. As our hotel was just a short walk away from La Jolla Cove, we spent hours just snorkelling with these playful pinnipeds who seem completely unfazed by all the human activity around them.

La Jolla offers a range of fantastic places to eat and drink once you have had your fill of messing about in the water. If you are a craft ale fan, then you are in for a real treat, with several bars offering a huge range of beers to try. We loved Absolution by the Sea and Karl Strauss. La Jolla had provided us with plenty of marine interactions and relaxing night-life, but all too soon it was time for us to move on and head north to Long Beach….


Equipment used:

Paralenz Dive Camera

Olympus OMD EM-1 MKII; Nauticam housing; INON Z250 strobes

Images and text by Frogfish Photography

Nick and Caroline (Frogfish Photography) are a married couple of conservation driven underwater photo-journalists and authors. Both have honours degrees from Manchester University, in Environmental Biology and Biology respectively, with Nick being a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, a former high school science teacher with a DipEd in Teaching Studies. Caroline has an MSc in Animal Behaviour specializing in Caribbean Ecology. They are multiple award-winning photographers and along with 4 published books, feature regularly in the diving, wildlife and international press They are the Underwater Photography and Deputy Editors at Scubaverse and Dive Travel Adventures. Winners of the Caribbean Tourism Organization Photo-journalist of the Year for a feature on Shark Diving in The Bahamas, and they have been placed in every year they have entered. Nick and Caroline regularly use their free time to visit schools, both in the UK and on their travels, to discuss the important issues of marine conservation, sharks and plastic pollution. They are ambassadors for Sharks4Kids and founders of SeaStraw. They are Dive Ambassadors for The Islands of The Bahamas and are supported by Mares, Paralenz, Nauticam and Olympus. To find out more visit www.frogfishphotography.com

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GEAR REVIEW: JOBY SeaPal Underwater Housing for iPhone and Samsung Galaxy (Watch Video)

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JOBY SeaPal

In a video shot exclusively for Scubaverse.com, Jeff Goodman reviews the JOBY SeaPal underwater housing for iPhone and Samsung Galaxy phones.

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Four opportunities to go pro in 2024 with Dive Friends Bonaire

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idc

Dive Friends teaches the Instructor Development Course (IDC) several times a year to students who are eager to share their passion for diving with the world.

Dive Friends is known for the personal approach throughout the course. Their in-house course director will lead the students through every essential step, mentoring them to achieve their fullest potential as a dive instructor.

Applications for the following IDC start dates are now open:

  • 12 April
  • 5 July,
  • 20 September
  • 29 November

Partnership with Casita Palma

If the student opts for the IDC-Deluxe or IDC-Supreme package, their accommodation will be arranged for them at Casita Palma. This small and quiet resort is within walking distance from Dive Friends Bonaire’s main dive shop location and has everything you need to relax after an intense day of IDC training. Breakfast is included, so the student will always be fuelled and ready for their day.

Contact Dive Friends Bonaire’s Course Director Eddy for more information: coursedirector@divefriendsbonaire.com.

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