Ancient Caverns

Depth: 55' - 65'

Overview

A Point Loma kelp-forest site with cavern-like reef structure. The site held onto kelp after the 2015 El Niño period when many local kelp forests were damaged.

What to See

Kelp forest, rocky reef, cavern-like structure, reef fish, and invertebrates.

Typical Conditions

Open Water+ friendly. Water 50-56°F; visibility 15-40'.

History

Natural rocky reef in Point Loma; notable for retaining kelp after the 2015 El Niño kelp decline.

Photographed here

Giant spined star at Ancient Caverns, August 2023 · Photo: Callie Mack

Blood star at Ancient Caverns, August 2023 · Photo: Callie Mack

Brown rockfish at Ancient Caverns, August 2023 · Photo: Callie Mack

Giant keyhole limpet at Ancient Caverns, August 2023 · Photo: Callie Mack

Kelp bass at Ancient Caverns, August 2023 · Photo: Callie Mack

Lacy bryozoan at Ancient Caverns, August 2023 · Photo: Callie Mack

Sea lemon at Ancient Caverns, August 2023 · Photo: Callie Mack

Spined brittles in dead holdfast at Ancient Caverns, August 2023 · Photo: Callie Mack

What our divers have photographed at Ancient Caverns

11 species and features identified in our own photographs from this site. A record of what has been here, not a promise of what will be: sightings change with season, visibility and luck.

Photographed by Callie Mack, August 2023, October 2022

Blood star · Brittle stars · Brown rockfish · Giant keyhole limpet · Giant spined star · Kelp bass · Lacy bryozoan · Sea lemon · Spined brittles in dead holdfast · Stubby rose · Yellow rockfish