Ricks Rocky Reefs

We set out too dive McNeill point, but parked too soon and dove the ‘wrong’ spot. Since there are no bad dive spots, only bad divers we acted as if we didn’t know any better and set out to see the sights. We decided unanimously to call it Ricks Rocky Reefs (because @wrick said: ‘I don’t care what you call it’). The spot is located on the west side of Ross bay. There is parking for about 4 cars on the south side of st. Charles street @ Dallas rd.

We dove close to high slack on a day with minimal tidal exchanges, so the current was minimal. Currents can be strong in this passage so it is always a good idea to check the tides and arrive sometime before slack so you can see when the current dies down.

The spot has ample shallow rocky reefs to explore, and will have some kelp forest in the summer (we dove in mid March, and there was a only a bit). We were visited by two seals, one was very playful, and saw the usual smaller marine life: anemones, crab, shrimp and nudibranch. You can dive to about 8 -10 meters maximum. This would be a great spot for beginners and also for snorkeling. There is quite a bit to see on the rocky reefs so even if you don’t dive but just snorkel you can have a pretty decent time. However, Ogden Point Breakwater is probably still a better place to dive and snorkel so if you haven’t been there yet, do that first.