Hopkin's Deep and Aumentos with Beachhopper II February 21, 2026

I finally made my first dives of 2026 with Beachhopper II along with Ed, Hoonami, Guy, Jim, Ian and a four others. We had calm seas and 15 ft of visibility down below the murky surface layer. Water temp was 55. Our first dive was at Hopkin's Deep, the second at Aumentos. I was very pleased that I stayed dry and warm in my drysuit. Below are some photos from Hopkin's Deep, see the rest at https://photos.app.goo.gl/Wdh8736ZrijmUKqE7 Below: Hopkin's Deep has lots of Metridium, aka Plumrose Anemones

I was happy to spot this Hilton's Nudibranch, maybe 3 inches long, a bit small to photo with my Tokina 10-17 mm wide angle. Below:

A Copper Rockfish was hoping to go unnoticed as she nestled in amongst the Metridium. Below:

Below are some photos from Aumentos, see the rest at: https://photos.app.goo.gl/dwNV3upPFwtCFb4h6 Aumentos has three seperate peaks, I think this was the first time I dived this particular peak. I was pleased to see two Cabezon, my favorite local fish subject. A diver arriving at the peak/ridge. Below:

Below: A rockfish sitting next to the dense Strawberry Anemones that cover much of this site.

Guy in his new Drysuit taking pictures with his new camera. I'm not jealous, I afterall, was diving with a new snorkel I bought at a good price at the final sale at Monterey's Bamboo Reef dive shop as it was closing. Below:

Aumentos has extremely dense invertebrate life, below:

I always look forward to Cabezon encounters, below:

Below: Painted Greenling

Below: Prowling Gopher Rockfish and a colorful seascape

It was great to get a couple of good dives in!