Relaxing in the Kelp Forest

Young kelp blades at Santa Cruz Island.

The cool pathways beneath the kelp canopy are among the most calm and relaxing places on Earth, for those who explore them. This young frond grew from the top of one of the shorter kelps at Amphitheater, a dive site on the front (north) side of Santa Cruz just west of Prisoner's Harbor, in June of 2026. Kelp stipes look similar to the leaves of trees or plants, but unlike leaves kelp stipes can originate by the division of older, larger stipes. The smallest of this row of stipes was still joined at their tips. Using tricks like this, kelp can grow 18 inches a day.