Giant Kelp, a Great Place To Spot Otters and other Big Sur, CA General Tips

Favorite Thing: Along the coast of the Big Sur area of California, as you gaze off shore into the Pacific Ocean, you may often see a line of green. This is a rich habitat made of giant kelp, a slim aquatic plant that rises from the ocean floor, and is the largest marine plant on Earth. These plants can live up to 10 years, and reach 200 feet in length. It is know that they may grow up to a foot a day. This kelp is a habitat for fish, sea urchin, invertebrates, and sea otters. This ocean plant has air bladders that help to float the plant (see photo 3), and large, long leaves. If you notice an area of the kelp, this is a good place to look for otters. Using our binoculars, we spotted otters in a number of kelp beds. Sea otters enjoy a meal of the strands of kelp, but they also use it for security while sleeping. When otters need a nap, they wrap themselves up in the kelp leaves, which will protect them from drifting out to sea as they sleep.

Fondest Memory: Watching otters sleeping and diving for food in the kelp. The ocean views along Big Sur are the most stunning I have ever seen.

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