Freediving Laguna Beach, Goff Island Reef
Goff Island Reef by Andre Navarro
Just past sunrise, the water was extremely cold. It was going to be a sunny day and conditions for visibility were reported to be good. Waves less than 2', minimal to no wind and the tide differences were small. I couldn't wait to get below the surface ! today's freedive was going to be at the beautiful and secluded north side of Goff Island Reef of Laguna Beach, California. Mostly frequented by guests of the nearby luxurious Montage Resort along with locals. Surprisingly, it's not an area commonly known for snorkeling or diving, even though the underwater environment here is amazingly beautiful and filled with thriving fish and kelp.
Goff Island Reef Life by Andre Navarro
Goff Island is a huge rock structure that stretches from the beach, out into the ocean from various depths of just a few feet to 25’ plus. The on shore portion of Goff Island is a towering 20 to 25’ tall and very steep. Near shore, there are calm shallow reefs filled with fish and kelp that are naturally protected from the waves. Further out, there is an awesome outer reef, with deep crevices you can swim through. These deeper outer reefs are open to the ocean and all it’s current and waves. To safely dive these outer reefs, the conditions have to be calm or it’s a rough mess of waves, current and white wash.Today I’m entering from the northern side of the shallow reef where it’s calm and less turbulent. This area is filled with schools of fish, kelp patches and lots of colorful seaweed and algae. When the conditions are right, the water is extremely clear and turquoise like the Caribbean. Today was one of those days.
Goff Island by Andre Navarro
North Goff Island Reef by Andre Navarro
Immediately upon entry, about 20’ from shore and into the first shallow reef area, I’m surrounded by fish. All the Southern California usual suspects are present, healthy and in large groups. Like this group of Xantic Sargo coming in for a closer look. Sargo are silver with a yellow tail and a large black vertical stripe midbody. Sargo are usually extremely skittish, but here, they are friendly and curious. As you explore here, especially in the shallower rocky areas, you’ll come across many plump Garibaldi Demselfish, California’s state fish. Garibaldis are bright orange and bold in their demeanor. They are extremely territorial and constantly try to chase all other fish from their chosen areas. In the kelp and sea grass areas, you’ll find many Calico Bass. Yellow and brown in a camouflage pattern, these are my favorite fish to swim with. They are very curious and not afraid to approach within inches. They especially like to look into cameras and goggles. They’ll often parallel and follow me as I watch other fish.
Xantic Sargo by Andre Navarro
Garibaldi Damselfish by Andre Navarro
Calico Bass by Andre Navarro
The first shallow reef area looks like a giant clear swimming pool filled with fish. Sort of like a big aquarium, but all nature. This area is mostly sandy along the bottom surrounded by shallow rocky reef covered in bright green sea grass on top. Towards the middle are light patches of kelp and seaweed. This first shallow reef area is only 4 to 7' deep.Their is a second shallow reef area separated by a rocky reef wall. Either find a crack to swim through or just plop over the top. it’s easy when it’s not low tide. This second shallow reef area is deeper and about double area. Ranging from 5 to 10’ deep. It starts off similar to the first shallow reef but has much more kelp and seaweed around the edges and especially in the middle. The middle looks like a kelp and seaweed jungle and the fish love to hangout there.
Goff Island Shallow Reef by Andre Navarro
This deeper shallow reef also has a bigger variety of fish within. One of my favorites are the California Sheepheads, with their huge scary teeth. The females are mostly dark gray. However, the males have a bright white chin and red body with a dark black head and tail. In most areas, this fish is hunted and very skittish because of it. In Laguna Beach, fishing is not allowed so they thrive here and are not afraid of people. A fish with beautiful eyes is the Opaleye Rudderfish. Opaleyes have bodies ranging in all light green to dark grey with a dime size white spot on the top of it's body. They all have beautiful blue opal colored eyes. It's hard to get a picture of them face forward as they usually don't come close and prefer distance. 
California Sheephead by Andre Navarro
Opaleyes by Andre Navarro
Now it’s time to cross over into the open ocean side of the reefs, where it gets deep fast. The waves and current on this side are very strong, even when the conditions are good. I love to explore into the big deep crevasses that open at the top of the reef and go all the way down to the bottom. This task takes long breath holds, controlled fear and careful risk management. Once into the crevasses and to the bottom, it feels like an entire different world. Time slows and the visuals vividly burn into my memory. This is something I never imagined I would be doing. most of the crevices are tighter towards the top and open up at the bottom. They look smaller than they are from the surface. It takes a couple of survey dives down to asses the entry and exits and how the current affects the movement of the water within.
Goff Island Reef Crevasses by Andre Navarro
Freediving Goff Island by Andre Navarro
The deeper reefs with large crevices and valleys stretch from north of Goff Island all the way to Treasure Island Cove. From Treasure Island Cove, the reef drops off along the bottom, deeper and deeper and extends off into the murky ocean. Around the south side of Goff Island is very different from the north side and deep crevices. On the south side of Goff Island is a colony of California Harbor Seals that Hauls out on the reef. These Harbor Seals also like to swim along the south side through the shallow kelp forest and rocky reef passages. Treasure Island Cove is another beautiful life filled area to explore but the reef passages on the south side are extremely rough. To explore this area, you must be ok with getting hammered with wave after wave. It’s an exercise of endurance and just accepting the motion.
California Harbor Seals by Andre Navarro
California Harbor Seal by Andre Navarro
California Harbor Seal by Andre Navarro
Goff Island Reef is an amazing place to explore. There is so much to see in 3 very unique underwater environments. It takes days to relax and explore all that it has to offer. Every time I come back, I experience something different and focus on nooks and crevices that I didn’t go into before. The shallow reefs are a great beginning area to snorkel due to their calm and shallow environment filled with fish. After being in the water for a while, I lose track of time. All land thoughts disappear as the beauty and wonder of the ocean floods all my senses. All I can focus on is getting back under and getting the best angles and subjects captured on video. After several hours of exploring and diving down deeper and deeper, my camera batteries run out, which signals it's time to return to land. It was a fantastic day. I feel fortunate to swim with all the thriving fish in their gorgeous underwater world. I feel a part of nature and my belonging in the world.The accompanying Youtube video is first hand footage captured by Andre Navarro while freediving the north side of Goff Island. The second Youtube video is footage of freediving Heisler Park Reef. Both videos are fully narrated. Subscribe and sign up to our Newsletter to not miss future adventures !Published by: Andre Navarro of Ocean Earth Green
I’m Andre Navarro, Southern California freediver and underwater videographer. I create ocean life adventure videos to connect viewers to our amazing underwater world to motivate stronger conservation and ocean life awareness. You can follow my ocean adventures here at OceanEarthGreen.com and view all my current and past videos at Youtube.com/OceanEarthGreen.