Schooling blacksmith love the tall kelp.
Lion's head is one of the closest dive sites to Isthmus cove in two harbors.
Large thick kelp forests are found here, full of kelp bass and an occassional white sea bass. Sea bass are hard to approach with scuba gear, so you might have better luck seeing them if you snorkel in the kelp. Bat rays are also common here.
Inside the cove, known as Cherry cove, near the boat anchorage is a great diving area. Perch, leopard sharks, bat rays, spotted and giant kelpfish are common here between 10-25ft deep. Dive boats often anchor a good ways west of Lion's head, so it might a swim to get to this area. The leopard sharks are seasonal, and are mainly found in the summer.
Mantis shrimp and bat rays can be found in the sand out past the kelp. Look for morays and octopus in the crevices between the rocks from 30-40ft deep.
Currents can sometimes pick up here, so watch out for kelp lying on its side.
Diving Level: Beginner
Marine Life: good at all depths, especially shallow
Photography: Great for fish shots, and wide angle (kelp, schooling fish, bat rays, leopard sharks)
Depths: 10ft - 60ft
Kelp perch are often found in the kelp, in 10-15ft of water.
Garibaldi swimming in the shallow areas of Lion's head.
