White Sea · Russia · Kelp forest · Reef
Molochnitsa East (Shelepov Stone)
Fucus shallows above a slope into deep water
Molochnitsa East, also called Shelepov Stone, runs from Fucus weed in the very shallows down into deep water, so one site serves both shallow kelp dives and deep ones. Laminaria kelp, plumose anemone colonies and wolffish live on it, and the current is mostly mild.
Also known as Molochnitsa East, Shelepov Stone.
Where it is and how deep
66.5005° N, 33.3702° EApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
Brown Fucus seaweed grows in the shallows from 0.5 m at low tide, giving way to Laminaria digitata kelp and its rich kelp-forest fauna. Colonies of Metridium senile anemones and wolffish (Anarhichadidae) also live here, and the site reaches 45 m.
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Good |
Season follows White Sea: Ice diving runs February to April while the sea ice holds; summer diving is by speedboat, with the water warmest in July.
Know before you go
- Current is mostly light below but considerable at the surface.
Sources
- Dive sites — The Arctic Circle Dive Centre
- OpenStreetMap — OpenStreetMap contributors
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