Spooner's Reef

Spooner's Reef is an offshore reef directly seaward of Spooner's Cove inside Montaña de Oro State Park, just north of the Point Buchon SMR boundary. The reef sits in about 45 feet of water under a thick bull kelp canopy that reaches the surface. The structural feature underwater is a series of diagonally stacked rock outcrops with macroalgae and invertebrates on the rock surfaces. Access is by small boat or kayak from Morro Bay Harbor or Port San Luis, and on calm days some divers launch a kayak from Spooner's Cove and paddle out.

The kelp here anchors on the rocky reef and grows up through the water column to the surface, giving the site a kelp forest biome that defines it. In the gaps between the kelp, the diagonally stacked rock outcrops show bare rock surfaces and crevices, which are a rocky reef biome. The open water around the structure, where larger fish and seasonal pelagic species transit, is a pelagic biome.

Scuba and spearfishing are the dominant activities, and the shallow depth combined with the kelp's swell-dampening effect makes Spooner's Reef forgiving for beginning boat divers. Spearfishing in the kelp is regular. Currents and swell sensitivity are moderate; the kelp tames most swell, but the site becomes uncomfortable on a building day.

There is no MPA at this site. Spooner's Reef sits north of the Point Buchon SMR boundary at 35.2542°N, so hook-and-line fishing and spearfishing are legal here under standard California regulations.