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Deadman’s Reef
 Laguna, CA
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Max Depth: 51-60ft/16-18m
Average Viz: 21-25ft/6-8m
Entry Type: Shore
Bottom Composition: Sand
Aquatic Life: Plenty To See
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Rating: 4.11 by 9 divers
Spring: 56-60°F/13-16°C
Summer: 61-65°F/16-18°C
Fall: 56-60°F/13-16°C
Winter: 50-55°F/10-13°C
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Deadman’s Reef is a shore accessible salt water dive site, located in Laguna, CA. This dive site has an average rating of 4.11 out of 5 from 9 scuba divers. The maximum depth is 51-60ft/16-18m. The average visibility is 21-25ft/6-8m.
A very long and arduous swim about 1/4 mile to reef but very well worth it. The reef is a diverse experience of small pinnacles, mini-walls, crevices and cracks. It starts on eastern end in sand at about 47 feet and is visible at points as little as 15 feet from the surface. The visibility averages 15-20 ft and typically much better since it is deeper and exposed to the currents.
This reef has the most diversity and quantity of fish around it probably due to its distance from shore and from fisherman and divers.
More detailed description of this reef: http//www.cadivingnews.com -
"The amount and variety of marine life you will find is equally remarkable. There is no kelp but encrusted on the rocks are a variety of colorful algae, bryozonan, and blotches of lavender and pink corynactis anemones. In the cracks and under overhangs are rock scallops (look but do not touch as they are protected here). Toward the tops of the reef the growth of mussels and barnacles are thick. With the mussels come their primary predator, large colorful ochre and giant-spined stars. This is an excellent spot to find nudibranchs. Keep an eye out for numerous Spanish shawls, as well as an occasional dorid or Hilton’s aeolid. Other invertebrates to be found on this reef include octopus, sea hares, a few small lobster, and green anemones. "
This site may is commonly missed - navigate 210 from the stairs at Crescent and then line up the two Seal Rock with gray house on the cliff.
When drop down should be in about 45 ft of water.
Be careful about the strong currents and plan to try and swim back to shore going East and then North East shallower into bay to avoid the long surface swim back.