Goldfish Bowl, Anacapa Island, Channel islands

Resting Scorpionfish, 30 ft of water.

Beginner divers often find themselves at Goldfish bowl, a site in the marine reserve at Anacapa. Even though its a reserve, I've never seen large amounts of fish here. The site is well protected, and offers a shallow kelp forest, although experienced divers may not be impressed.

Goldfish bowl lies of the north side of western anacapa island. Navanax, spanish shawl, island kelpfish, garibaldi and sea hares are abundant here. Sheephead, senoritas and blacksmith are in the kelp forest, but not in large numbers. The lucky diver may find a horn shark in the shallow water, or see a Bat Ray glide by.

Sea Hare munching on kelp, showing its mouth.