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Coaster Reef

Along the Southern California coastline, Wreck Alley is one of the most popular dive destinations. Within a small area, less than two miles offshore San Diego, are several wrecks including the Ruby E, a 130-foot coast guard cutter, the 110-foot long kelp harvester El Rey, the NEL tower and more. All are excellent dives, covered with marine life. And in May, the 366-foot long Canadian destroyer Yukon will be added to the wreck entourage.

What a lot of divers seemed to have forgotten, however, is the wrecks are only part of an extensive artificial reef system. There are also additional reefs made up of broken concrete slabs and pillars, discarded from land construction sites. Perhaps the most famous is "The Bridge," left over rubble from the demolishing of a bridge near Mission Bay.

But there are smaller, even lesser known concrete reefs, each interesting to dive. Kelp has been returning with a vengence to natural reefs nearby Wreck Alley and the fast growing plant has also attached itself to some of the shallower artificial reefs, reminding divers of the reefs' forgotten existence. Such is the case with an unnamed reef south of NEL Tower wreck. It lies almost straight out from the roller coaster on Mission Beach. Some call it Tower Reef, others Coaster Reef, whatever you want to name it, a good sized kelp bed now exists off Mission Beach, the first ever anyone can recall.

The reef is low profile, only rising gently about 8 feet from a 60-foot sand bottom. There are several piles of slabs and loose rocks between the piles. Where the slabs are atop each other, cracks, small caves and crevices are formed and, you guessed it, lobsters have moved in. Most are small, but pick and choose and you'll probably not come up empty handed.

Artificial reefs are designed to grow fish population and this one has obviously done a good job of it. And I'm sure the kelp growth has added to the abundance. Up among the kelp canopy calico bass are prolific, although many are small, a sure sign that the kelp forest is adding fish. On the reef there is the calico's cousin, the barred sand bass, some of good size. In addition you will find sheephead, some big, ocean whitefish and schools of señoritas and blacksmith.

This tends to be a silty reef so the growth on the rocks is limited. There are occasional sprigs of gorgonia and a rock scallop here and there. Add in some tunicates and cowries, but for the most part there is not much to photograph.

Visibility is not as good as other Wreck Alley spots but the same gentle prevailing current also courses across this reef keeping viz in the 10-to 15-foot range average.

The new kelp growth helps in locating the reef but don't always count on it as a moderate current can lay the kelp down. The kelp growth is not yet thick and easy to navigate through underwater. Of course with as fast as kelp can grow, this could change quickly. Winter storms could also uproot the kelp but this kelp looks pretty healthy. I think it's here to stay for awhile.

The Coaster Reef, with depths of 60 feet and less, is a good second or third dive after the deeper dives on the wrecks of Wreck Alley. Only a few minute's boat ride from Mission Bay, Wreck Alley has a variety of choices for dive sites. Coaster Reef adds a new dimension to this diving, a kelp forest, very close by.

Location: Within Wreck Alley, offshore Mission Beach, San Diego. GPS: N 32°46.174', W117°16.140' (GPS for reference only, do not use as sole source of navigation).

Access: Boat only. Several dive charter boats operating from Mission Bay. Launch ramps available for private boats out of Mission Bay. Short boat ride.

Skill Level: All.

Depths: 52 to 60 feet.

Visibility: Fair, 15 feet. About 5 to 10 feet less than other Wreck Alley sites.

Snorkeling: Not applicable. Reef too deep.

Photography: Fair to poor, some fish.

Hunting: A lot of lobster but many small. Calico bass, sheephead, and other reef fish. Occasional rock scallop.

Suggested Dive Charter Boats Frequently Serving This Area:

DiveQuest - (800) 303-3483

Blue Escape - (619) 223-DIVE

Dive Connection - (619) 523-9282

or see the California Scuba Calendar section of this issue for trips to Wreck Alley.

Special thanks to Dive Connection for their help in creating this article.

Dale Sheckler is publisher of California Diving News and co-author of the book Southern California's Best Beach Dives.