Sorry to rain on your parade so hard scuba kat, Instructors are trained to not say negative things when they talk to students about diving...they are nervous anyway, and really its a safe sport. smile
Do you dive in California? I've never had the pleasure but hear Catalina is cool.I've never seen a seal under water or Kelp.
Have you? I hope to run into a Woof eel someday, Way cool looking spooky face.

White Sands Dive Shop
https://whitesandsdiveshop.com/