Farnsworth Banks

Farnsworth Banks is a dramatic offshore pinnacle rising from deep water about 1.6 miles off the backside of Catalina Island. The seamount features a flat-topped plateau at roughly 60–65 ft and rugged slopes, valleys, sinkholes, spires and ridges. The reef is renowned for bright purple and pink Stylaster hydrocoral and is extremely fishy, with large schools of baitfish that attract predators such as California sea lions, yellowtail, giant black sea bass and Pacific barracuda; abundant macro life including nudibranchs and Corynactis anemones also make it a sought-after dive. The site is boat access only and is typically done as deep multi-dive trips with two deep dives on the main pinnacle and often a third sheltered reef. Depths range from the top plateau at about 60–65 ft down to 130–150+ ft. Conditions are open ocean with moderate to strong currents and surge; calm seas are needed and anchoring can be challenging. Visibility is usually very good, often 60–80 ft or more. Water temperatures generally run in the mid-50s °F near and below the thermocline, up to the low-to-mid 70s °F at the surface in late summer; 7mm wetsuits or drysuits are recommended. Significant hazards include the deep depths, strong currents and surface boat traffic; the site is within a state marine conservation area where taking coral, invertebrates or reef fish is prohibited, and most operators require advanced certification or better.