Begg Rock facts for kids
 Begg Rock
Location in USA California Channel Islands
Begg Rock
Location in California
Begg Rock (California)
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Ventura County California Pacific |
| Coordinates | 33°21′43″N 119°41′42″W / 33.362°N 119.695°W |
| Archipelago | Channel Islands of California |
| Highest point | not named |
| Administration | |
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United States
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| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Begg Rock is a small, rocky island located in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, United States. It's part of the Channel Islands of California. This rock is about 15 feet (4.6 meters) tall. It sits about 8.8 miles (14.2 kilometers) northwest of San Nicolas Island in Ventura County.
Begg Rock rises sharply from the ocean floor, which is about 300 feet (91 meters) deep here. A reef stretches out from the rock for over 100 yards (91 meters) in both north and south directions. A special lighted buoy, which makes a whistling sound, is located about 500 yards (457 meters) north of the rock.
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What is Begg Rock?
Begg Rock is a tiny island, only about 11.5 by 6.7 meters in size. Its total area is around 61 square meters. This small rock is well-known to people who love to scuba dive. It offers a very unique and beautiful underwater experience.
How Begg Rock Got Its Name
The name "Begg Rock" was given by the Coast Survey. It was named after a boat called the John Begg. This boat hit a nearby rock back in 1824.
Diving at Begg Rock
Begg Rock is a famous spot for scuba divers. It's known for being an exciting and challenging place to dive. Divers can take amazing underwater photos here. The rock goes almost straight down from above the water into very deep parts of the ocean.
Underwater Features
Begg Rock is actually made up of several tall, pointed rock formations called pinnacles. Some of these pinnacles are always above the water. Others only appear when the tide is low. Because the rock is in the open ocean, strong currents flow around it. These currents help bring food to many small sea creatures.
Marine Life You Might See
The upper parts of Begg Rock are covered with mussels and green anemones. You can also spot colorful starfish called pisaster starfish. While it's very pretty, the strong currents can make diving tricky.
Below about 40 feet (12 meters), you'll find large areas covered in bright orange and red anemones. These are called Corynactus anemones, or "Strawberry anemones." Even deeper, past about 70 feet (21 meters), there are patches of delicate white Metridium anemones.
Protecting Sea Scallops
This dive site used to be famous for its large rock scallops. These scallops were so strongly attached to the rocks that divers had to open them right there. Sadly, too many were taken by hunters. But now, Begg Rock is a "no-take zone." This means no one is allowed to remove any marine life from this area. This helps protect the scallops and other creatures.
Challenges for Divers
Diving at Begg Rock is considered an advanced dive. This means it's best for experienced divers. The currents can be very strong and dangerous. Divers can also accidentally go too deep, which can be risky.
Because Begg Rock is so far out and exposed to the open ocean, it's not always possible to dive there. Even if a dive boat plans a trip, the weather and ocean conditions must be just right. Despite the challenges, many divers agree it's a truly beautiful place to explore underwater.
