Long Beach's Breakwater creates a unique opportunity! Long Beach is one of the best places in the world to go whale watching and to see a very diverse array of sea life. Long Beach is a unique location because of its manmade breakwater. The breakwater is essentially a giant wall about 60 feet high and over 8.1 miles long which was completed in about 1949. The original purpose, at least in the Long Beach area, was to help protect Navy ships during World War II from German submarine attacks. This breakwater is the largest manmade break wall in the world. Construction of the breakwater began in 1899 and ended with the last rock being put in place in 1949. The Long Beach portion began in 1941 and ended in 1949. The manmade barrier today helps to protect the shore in Long Beach from erosion and offers some unique sanctuary and opportunity for sea life.
Long Beach and Surfing? Really? The breakwater was build out of rock for Catalina Island, and lots of it! In the 30’s prior to the time the breakwater was build, Long beach used to have some of the best surfing in southern California. There were regularly waves about 10 feet high and it was praised as being the best spot to surf in California and in the Continental United States. There was even a surfing contest in Long Beach as late as 1939. Today, the Long Beach coast does not have surf, but there have been some benefit to the manmade breakwater. Lots of different sea life, which could not ordinarily thrive under open sea conditions has been able to flourish. Harbor Seals, different types of birds and other sea creatures are now an everyday occurrence. Harbor tours to view not only the largest breakwater in the world, the diverse sea life and one of the largest ports in the world are available daily. Tickets can be purchased through this website.
Breakwater Controversy in Long BeachThis breakwater is not without controversy though. There are many people in Long Beach who would like to see a large portion of the breakwater removed for various reasons such as pollution, economic stimulus into Long Beach, and surfing. Opponents site the disruption of some sea life, erosion, and the fact that many structures built inside the breakwater would need to be reinforced to withstand the open seas. The present movement calls for about 2.5 miles of the breakwater, on the Long Beach side, to be reduced in height and redistributed to form a reef for sea creatures, which is a departure from removing the breakwater entirely.
Recent Funding through Obama Administration Recent funding has been released by the Obama administration to review a study with regard to removing a portion of the breakwater. Approximately $90,000 has been released to study the Breakwater Reconnaissance Study.
See the vast sea life inside the breakwater!With regard to sea lovers and whale watching, the breakwater offers a relaxing and enjoyable experience which is historical and unique to this area. Nowhere else in the world will visitors get to enjoy such a unique aquatic ecosystem and some of the best whale watching in the world! Schedule your Harbor tour or whale watching and sea life tour today!
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