{"id":17497,"date":"2009-12-26T01:18:36","date_gmt":"2009-12-26T01:18:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwphoto.onpressidium.com\/book\/california-marine-life\/"},"modified":"2025-08-15T06:57:19","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T06:57:19","slug":"california-marine-life","status":"publish","type":"book","link":"https:\/\/www.uwphotographyguide.com\/book\/underwater-photography-guide\/marine-life\/california-marine-life\/","title":{"rendered":"California Marine Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

California has some of the most diverse marine life in the world. It’s underwater reefs and kelp forests support thousands of species of fish and invertebrates. Divers and underwater photographers looking for California marine life will see seals, large schools of fish, colorful invertebrates and giant kelp forests. Diving underwater in the Channel Islands<\/a> or Monterey is the best way to experience this amazing underwater marine life.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For a great selection of fun-reading articles on Southern California marine life<\/strong>, visit Bill Bushing’s page<\/a>, and for information on Monterey marine life<\/strong> see Clinton Bauder’s site<\/a>.  We’ve also added information on California’s Underwater Parks<\/a> and, for the non-divers in your life, other Southern California info like things to do in San Diego with the family<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

California Underwater Invertebrates<\/h2>\n

California Sponges & Anemones<\/h3>\n

Anemones and sponges are very common in California waters. Anemones are animals called Cnidarians, which also include hydroids, jellyfish, cup corals, sea pens and hydrocorals. <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Tube<\/p>\n

Tube anemone, Redondo Beach<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"purple<\/p>\n

Purple hydrocoral at Farnsworth Banks, a beautiful example of California marine life.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

California Crustaceans<\/h3>\n

A wide variety of shrimps, crabs, and other crustaceans can be found in California, especially at night!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Mantis<\/p>\n

Mantis shrimp underwater<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

California Molluscs<\/h3>\n

Sea slugs, snails, squid, and octopus are common at California dive sites. Octopus are best seen at night, and squid are seasonal, usually common in shallow water in the winter to lay eggs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Squid<\/p>\n

Squid mating underwater at Redondo Beach<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"two<\/p>\n

Octopus are common on reefs, but more often seen at night.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

California Nudibranchs<\/h3>\n

Colorful nudibranchs are one of the most visible invertebrates underwater in California.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"navanax<\/p>\n

Navanax eating a nudibranch underwater<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Janolus<\/p>\n

Janolus nudibranch underwater<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

California Echinoderms<\/h2>\n

Echinoderms include starfish, sea cucumbers, and sea urchins. All are common in Southern California waters.<\/p>\n

 <\/h2>\n

California Sharks and Rays<\/h2>\n

Sharks are well-known examples of California marine life. Divers commonly see angel, horn, and swell sharks underwater in California. Bat rays, Stingrays, Thornback rays and Torpedo rays are also all common.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"California<\/p>\n

California angel shark, usually found underwater laying on the sand<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Leopard<\/p>\n

Leopard sharks schooling underwater in Marina Del Rey<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Torpedo<\/p>\n

A pair of torpedo rays at Catalina Island<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

California Bony Fish<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Wolf<\/p>\n

Wolf eel, found underwater in cold, deep reefs. They are more commonly seen while diving Port Hardy, British Columbia<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Schooling<\/p>\n

Schooling fish at the Catalina Island dive park<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Black<\/p>\n

Giant black sea bass<\/a> are found at Catalina, Anacapa, La Jolla and LA county from July to November.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"pacific<\/p>\n

Even the Pacific Seahorse<\/a> can be found in California, near San Diego, if you know where to look!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

California Marine Mammals<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

Marine mammals found in California include harbor seals, elephant seals, sea lions, sea otters, killer whales, and blue, fin, humpback and gray whales. Sea lions are the easiest to see underwater.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"california<\/p>\n

California sea lions are common at Santa Barbara & Anacapa islands, and at Oil rigs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Harbor<\/p>\n

Harbor Seal<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"dolphins<\/p>\n

Dolphins feeding on an underwater baitball, near Catalina Island<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Humpback<\/p>\n

Humpback whale breaching the water near Catalina Island<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

California Marine Birds<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Cormorant<\/p>\n

Cormorant diving underwater for fish<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Best dives sites for California Marine Life<\/h2>\n