Seal Rock

Seal Rock is a reef dive at Crescent Bay, an offshoot of Deadman's Reef. Access is the hard part: private beaches and homes line the shore to the west as far as Crystal Cove, and to the east it is a long shore swim, so the beach access is remote. The site is best known for the sanctuary of sea lions that frequent the area, and most divers steer clear to respect their territory. Those who do visit may get buzzed by sea lions as they play or hunt.

Depths run from 0 to 65 feet (19.8 metres), with a healthy kelp bed on either side, and the dive can easily take in Deadman's Reef, so navigation needs to be sharp. Water temperatures range from 52 to 78 degrees F (11 to 26 degrees C), and clarity runs from 5 feet to 25 feet or more. Lobster, sheephead, garibaldi, senoritas, bat rays, sand bass and sculpin live on the reef.

The site lies in a Marine Protected Area, at the northern (actually western) point of the no-take zone, so hunting is not allowed. Take care entering and leaving the water. There is no lifeguard stand here, and a diver in trouble may be hard to see from the one at Crescent Bay because Seal Rock sits slightly out of the sight line.