To All Napa Valley Divers:
Fellow Divers and Club Members Keith and Pam Reuter (and Ty, Pam’s 100 pound, very friendly Yellow Lab) will be camping and abalone diving at Salt Point State Park from Thursday, April 25 to Sunday April 18 and would like to extend an invitation to anyone interested to com and join them. Salt Point State Park is situated above Jenner and below Sea Ranch, and these dates have some very nice low tides, but as always, weather and ocean conditions may not cooperate. Keith has been diving at Salt Point for ten years an “typically” comes out (if conditions allow) with his daily limit of 7″- 8″ abalone. (pristine conditions provide access to the 8″- 9″ abalone)
Salt Point Gerstle Cove is a protected “Marine Reserve” for SCUBA diving and South Gerstle Cove offers good abalone diving. There are various other abalone dive sites along the coast nearby, including several “safer, protected” areas. Ocean Cove Campground, just south of Salt Point, has a campground and “fee” boat launch site.
Keith and Pam are staying in the Salt Point “Woodside” loop. Reservations are non-specific, which means you get was is left when you arrive. They will be staying in the upper loop if available, and will resort to the lower loop if needed. Salt Point limits RV or Trailers to 31 feet, but when specifically asked at the check in station, the rangers have stated (in the past) that length is not important as long as you don’t extend out off your site onto the street.
Keith and Pam will assist club members in organization of abalone diving, pot luck dinners (hopefully with abalone) and fellowship.
- To SCUBA: Bring full cold water gear, weights and tanks. Air fills may be as far away as Jenner.
- To abalone dive: Bring a CA ocean fishing license with abalone card (there are very, very specific requirements for tagging your abalone), full cold water gear (less BC – abalone diving is free diving without tanks), weight belt with weights, abalone iron and gauge, and a float (highly recommended).
It is reccomended that you obtain your reservation as soon as possible at ReserveAmarica. Camping (No Hookups) is $35.00 per night with an $8.00 convenience fee per reservation. If you book reservations for the camping trip, please let Keith know you are going.
Keith and Pam “might” be putting together a second trip in August, probably also to Salt Point.
