A staggering number of species live in the kelp forests off the coast of San Diego. Aquatic mammals such as whales, seals, sea lions and dolphins frequent the kelp for food. These mammals also use the vast, dense forests as shelter from storms and as a place to hide from predators.
If you are scuba diving and exploring our kelp forests, you will find tons of life along the ocean floor. Attached to rocks look for red abalone, scallops and aggregating or strawberry anemone. Hiding below the rock piles is spiny lobster, rockfish, and even two-spot octopus. Horn sharks, bat rays, and guitarfish seek out low ledges to hide under for a quick nap.
Look up and see the sun’s rays filter through the kelp canopy creating a magical world of light below. Keep an eye out for large groups of kelp bass and sargo fish floating in the leaves. Other species in the kelp are giant black sea bass, blue sharks, tuna and California barracuda.
Near the top of the kelp forest, you will often see large numbers of top smelt and Pacific mackerel. Keep your camera ready; you never know when a harbor seal will pop it’s head up to say hello!