Cat Rock
Conditions & tides
Scored by DiveConnect's site-physics model
Marine forecast via Copernicus Marine. Score is a rule-based guide from swell/wind vs. the site's exposure — always dive your own assessment.
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About this site
Cat Rock is a reef dive on the south side of West Anacapa, close to the middle of the island, in the Channel Islands off southern California. It is a large prominent rock close to the edge of the island.
The area around the rock forms a small bay or harbour, which gives protection from the currents just outside the outer area. Depths range from 20 to 60 feet (6 to 18 metres), with lots of rocky structure and some sand channels running through the reef.
There is usually some kelp, with schools of fish, gorgonians and lobsters. Invertebrates cover the rocks closer to the outer area, where the current brings them food.
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The site can be good for divers of all levels.
Marine life here
Confirmed by our research team, reported by independent divers, or observed nearby via iNaturalist — each entry is labelled with its source.
Pacific Purple Sea UrchinStrongylocentrotus purpuratusReported here · unconfirmed
Kelp BassParalabrax clathratusReported here · unconfirmed
Red Sea UrchinMesocentrotus franciscanusReported here · unconfirmed
California Spiny LobsterPanulirus interruptusReported here · unconfirmed
Warty sea cucumberApostichopus parvimensisReported here · unconfirmed
Crowned sea urchinCentrostephanus coronatusReported here · unconfirmed
Blacksmith ChromisChromis punctipinnisReported here · unconfirmed
Durable tips from divers — access, hazards, marine life, facilities. For day-of conditions, use the report tool in the conditions card above.
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