Download The Findit App

Share Your Posts On These Major Social Networks

Instatag Your Posts to Instagram Facebook + Twitter

News

6 Ways El Nino can Affect Scuba Divers

60-65% chance of an El Nino forming this year in the Pacific

Irvine 9/5/2014 7:00:40 AM

Scientists are predicting a 60-65% chance of an El Nino forming this year in the Pacific. Experts are still undecided on the strength of the event.  Whether you welcome or fear the effects of this weather phenomenon, an El Nino can bring some changes to the ocean that directly effect diving.  
1) In simple terms, El Nino is a warming of the Pacific Ocean surface temperatures from the Equatorial Current that expands and moves north, displacing the cold, nutrient rich Humboldt Current for a period of time lasting from months to, in some events, years.  The first effect divers experience is warmer, more comfortable diving conditions.  With diving temperatures in Southern California typically in the mid to low 50’s, El Nino can bring surface temps into the low to mid 70’s making for very pleasant conditions.
2) Warmer water temperatures often also bring marine life commonly associated with dive trips to more tropical locales.  Very recently there have been photos of Hammerhead Sharks, Ocean Moonfish and Yellowfin Tuna off the Southern California coastline.  In past events divers have encountered Green Sea Turtles, Mahi Mahi and even Sea Horse at various parts of the California coastline.  
3) When the cooler ocean temperatures move north, so do many of the creatures we are accustomed to encountering.  When the Anchovies and Squid move north, the Halibut, White and Black Sea Bass, and even the birds follow them.  In past El Nino events, divers in Southern and Central Oregon reported sighting Barracuda and Mola Mola.  In the last event fisherman and free divers off of the coast of Washington were commonly encountering Blue and Striped Marlin. 
4) Various species of phytoplankton create a small chemical reaction, called bioluminescence, that when disturbed glows with a green or blue color.  It actually can occur in just about any ocean in the world, but scientists have found that 71.5 degrees f. to be the optimum temperature for the brightest and longest lasting glow.  In previous El Nino events, divers off the coast of Catalina Island reported being able to follow their buddy in the dark without the use of a light simply from the glowing light trail from their partners fins.
5) Southern California is known for it’s abundance of Giant Kelp.  Giant Kelp is the largest and fastest growing of all types of seaweed, often growing as much as 2 feet in a single day.  It has been compared to what it would be like being able to dive in a forest above water.  It offers shelter to many species of marine creatures from Giant Kelpfish and Kelp Bass to Norris’ Top Snail or Kelp Crab.  When the ocean temperatures warm up the Giant Kelp begins to die off, thinning or even eliminating the Kelp Forest. 
6) El Nino can bring an increase in rainy and sometimes stormy weather in California which, in turn, decreases the number of days divers can safely enjoy their pastime.  In moderate to strong events the storms can bring destructively high surf and turbulence in the water that makes diving unpleasant, if not dangerous.  Near populated areas, the runoff from storms often dumps directly into the ocean, making bacteria levels unsafe for swimmers, surfers and divers.  
The El Nino temporarily alters the weather and climate patterns around the globe in both positive and negative ways.  For the scuba diver along the US Pacific coast it is just another facet of one of the most diverse and exciting environments for scuba on our planet. 

More News

Go ahead- Stuff their scuba stockings with some of these best selling scuba gear items


Released On: 12/1/2017
Views: 3564

View
https://s3.amazonaws.com/findit-pictures/42372/1806598_42372_171117031847.jpg

Do Not Buy life support equipment from Amazon

Amazon offers scuba diving equipment through third party sellers and this creates dangers that customers must be made aware of, including assembly, proper use and recalls.

Released On: 11/17/2017
Views: 6333

View
https://s3.amazonaws.com/findit-pictures/42372/b9cc18f1-c75d-41a3-a2d3-f3210fc94909.jpg

Sealife DC 2000 Dive Camera Meets the Nearly Frozen Waters of Iceland's SILFRA

I think one of the reasons that the Sealife camera was able to withstand the cold is the fact that you have a 40' watertight sealed camera that sits inside an outer housing. The camera is very attractive to me for this exact reason. It's nice to ...

Released On: 7/17/2017
Views: 5198

View
https://s3.amazonaws.com/findit-pictures/42372/1805174_42372_140717043247.jpg

Sealife DC 2000 Dive Camera Meets the Nearly Frozen Waters of Iceland's SILFRA

I already loved my DC2000 but after this trip-I know that I will be packing my GoPro less and less often.

Released On: 7/14/2017
Views: 4064

View
https://s3.amazonaws.com/findit-pictures/42372/1803204_42372_240417023817.jpg

Scuba.com Now Offers Dry Suit Classes


Released On: 4/24/2017
Views: 5993

View
https://s3.amazonaws.com/findit-pictures/42372/1802453_42372_100417014512.jpg

Scuba.com Becomes a PADI Dive Center Offering PADI Scuba Diving Instruction

Scuba.com and it's instructional team has completed their PADI course program just in time for the scuba diving season ahead.

Released On: 4/10/2017
Views: 3893

View
https://s3.amazonaws.com/findit-pictures/42372/1798839_42372_180716122751.jpg

The ALYC (American Legion Yacht Club) “Old Glory” Boat Parade


Released On: 7/18/2016
Views: 5049

View

Black Seadevil Rarely Caught on Film is a Black Seadevil

rarely caught on film is a Black Seadevil

Released On: 5/9/2016
Views: 4915

View

Oahu's 6 Best Snorkel Spots - Infographic

An infographic that shows the best snorkeling spots on your next trip to Oahu

Released On: 5/2/2016
Views: 4073

View

Regulators

In this article, we talk about regulators and the the 2 main stages of regulators.

Released On: 4/29/2016
Views: 6666

View

Scuba Deluxe Float Strap

review of the scuba deluxe float strap.

Released On: 4/27/2016
Views: 3860

View

Ocean Quest Premium Super-Stretch Titanium Diving Gloves

Ocean Quest Premium Super-Stretch Titanium Diving Gloves review

Released On: 4/18/2016
Views: 3440

View

Sunken World War II Plane Turned Into Scuba Playground

An underwater attraction for scuba divers to see. The DC-3 Dakota plane is a WWII plane that is now consider a historic relic. Scuba divers can check it out this marvel in Turkey.

Released On: 4/15/2016
Views: 3465

View

7 Tips for Shore Scuba Diving at Puget Sound

Here are 7 tips to scuba diving at Puget Sound

Released On: 4/13/2016
Views: 5028

View

7 Tips for Scuba Diving the Florida Keys

Go over these 7 tips before planning your scuba diving next trip to the Florida Keys

Released On: 4/11/2016
Views: 3424

View

Snorkeling Vs Scuba Diving

Here are some information on snorkeling versus scuba diving

Released On: 4/8/2016
Views: 3450

View

Dive Mask Evolution and the Ocean Quest Arctic Clear HD Scuba Dive Mask

We talk about scuba diving masks and the progress of it when it comes to divers' overall experience. Also in this article is a review on the Ocean Quest Arctic HD dive mask.

Released On: 4/6/2016
Views: 4056

View

Learn about Diving Fins from Bob at Scuba

Bob from scuba.com talks about diving fins.

Released On: 4/4/2016
Views: 3165

View
Load More wait

Map

Scuba.com

Get Directions

Scuba.com

  • 1752 Langley Avenue
    Irvine , California 92614
    USA
  • 800.347.2822
  • International: 001.949.221.9300

    Customer Service Hours
    Monday - Saturday
    8am - 6pm

    Store Hours
    Monday - Saturday
    10am - 6pm