Ab Diving

So you want to be an AB diver, eh? There are several things you'll need to consider first: Equipment Regulations Dive Locations

Equipment

Regulations

The #1 thing to do is make sure you have a fishing license with an abalone sticker on it!

The basic regs state that:

1. Abalone taken must be over 7 inches in length.
2. Abalone must be take with a standard abalone iron.
3. Every diver must have an abalone gauge to measure AB before taking it.
4. Abalone may not be transported outside of the shell.
5. No more than 4 abalone may be in your possession at one time.
   (This includes your ice chest back at camp from yesterday's dive.)

For more comprehensive rules and regulations, see the California Fish and Game web page on abalone fishing regulations.

Dive Spots

Now you need to find that perfect dive spot or location. The Northern California coast (I refer mainly to from Sonoma County and northward) is loaded with good dive spots. You can risk life and limb climbing 150-200 feet down a rope from the side of Hwy 1 to that great dive spot like at the one we used to call "Rope-a-Dope". (Hey - if it's a good spot, it might be worth the risk!)

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Or you can find a simpler spot to dive like outside of Gerstle Cove at Salt Point Sate Park. This is a good spot for first time divers. (Shown to the left are my brother and his son at Gerstle Cove on Cory's 1st dive at age 14.) The access is an easy walk down a short path. You must, however, dive for your AB outside of the cove as the cove itself is a protected reserve.

Another good location is at or around the Historic Fort Ross State Park. The hike is an easy walk through a field and a mild hike down to the beach.

A suggestion might be to check out a map of coastal state parks, and call or visit their web sites for information about diving conditions. See the site for California State Parks for more information, or go directly to North Coast Region State Parks.