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Sea cave

Painted Cave

Santa Cruz Island, California, USA

No public photo available

One of the largest and deepest sea caves in the world, named after its coloured rock and lichen.

40 m
10 mRecreational limit

Bathymetry and profile

The entrance is 50 m high. The cave runs 375 m back into darkness, with water that gets shallower towards a sea lion beach.

Dashed line: 40 m recreational diving limit

Features

  • Waterfall over the entrance in spring
  • Coloured volcanic rock
  • Channel Islands National Park

Specific fauna

  • California sea lions
  • Garibaldi fish
  • Kelp forest life
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