Malaga Cove, Palos Verdes Estates, CA

Early morning dive with Nick looking for lobsters

In With: 2900 psi
Out With: 500 psi
Max depth: 20 feet
Waves: 1-2 feet but pretty calm
Visibility: 10 feet
Water Temperature: Warm
Total Bottom Time: 70 minutes

We met at Malaga Cove at 4:50 AM.

Other divers were already there, parked on the street as there is no parking between 9 PM and 5 AM.

We suited up and entered the water just under the pool.

It was very shallow and silty towards shore, but the visibility got to 10 feet further out.

It was dark; we obviously had flashlights.

We spent the better part of an hour chasing lobsters.

At night they literally walk around trying to find food.

We swam up on many and caught several – all too short.

Nick at one point said, “If I run out of air, I’m going to start free diving for lobsters.”

We came across several lobster holes, but it was getting light and they were literally wedged in there.

Nick caught a few and even put one in his bag, until we brought it to the surface and figured that it was short.

It was getting pretty light when exited; easy exit.

Apparently, real lobster hunters consider Malaga Cove the “lobster nursery.”