Monterey, California Scuba Diving Sites | ||
Site Name | Dive Information | Area Information |
MacAbeeBeginner | MacAbee is a short sandy beach walk-in. The area is northward facing and well protected; it has little swell. The vis is normally not good (10-15ft.) but it is a good beginner's kelp dive. Be sure to take a knife in case you get tangled in kelp and know how to kelp crawl. Max. depth is about 40 ft. | This site is located on the beach in front of the Spindrift Hotel in Monterey. It is accessible from Cannery Row by a short walk between El Torito and the Hotel. There are pay-to-park areas that will allow divers to get suited up (bring dollars and quarters). It is strictly forbidden to suit up on Cannery Row so suit up in a parking lot. Facilities are lacking here, the Spindrift used to have a shower head operating for divers, but they have turned it off. Up two blocks from Cannery Row is a multi-level parking structure that has public restrooms but no showers. |
BreakwaterBeginner | Many dive classes are held here so the place is usually crowded. The vis can get very bad here (less than 2 ft.) due to its shallow nature and the number of students in the water. It is a sandy bottom with little kelp and not much to look at during the day except the numerous bat stars and hermit crabs. At night, the inhabitants of the breakwater come out to hunt. Look for octopii and halibut at night. One fun aspect of diving during the day is the animal life. Otters, harbor seals and sea lions will follow you around and play pranks with your gear (biting, pulling, taking your octo, etc.). Max. depth is <40ft. | The Breakwater is located near the Wharf in Monterey off of Lighthouse Street. There is pay-to-park (by the hour, so have lots of quarters--$1.50 for 2 hours or $6.00 for all day) just 100 yards from the entrance to the site. You may suit up anywhere. There are public restrooms available and a grassy area with park benches and picnic tables. Be kind to the "scuba-watchers" by not taking the benches and tables while you suit up or do your surface interval. |
Metridium FieldIntermediate |
Metridium Field is not a separate dive spot, it is part of the Breakwater. Because Breakwater is an easy dive, you can expect a large crowd of new divers finishing their training. This dive rates at intermediate due to the need for good navigation, low visibility, distance of the site from the shore, and kelp diving experience. You can locate Metridium field by entering at the south end of the beach and looking for a buoy that marks the spot. Take a general heading of 240° and swim out to the buoy or edge of the kelp. Metridium Field is to the Northwest (330°) of the buoy. Visibility in this area can be poor so be sure to have experience with low vis situations. Depth averages between 50-70 feet and the surface swim can be 200 yards. | You can get to Metridium Field by driving to the Breakwater near the Wharf in Monterey off of Lighthouse Street. There is pay-to-park (by the hour, so have lots of quarters--$1.50 for 2 hours or $6.00 for all day). You may suit up anywhere. There are public restrooms available and a grassy area with park benches and picnic tables. Be kind to the "scuba-watchers" by not taking the benches and tables while you suit up or finish your surface interval. |
Lover's PointBeginner |
Too many dive classes come here for their check-out dives. This place get crowded quickly so don't be suprised if you run into someone while underwater. Surfers like to come to this spot and ride a few waves so keep your eye on the surface while accending. The easy enterance is on the east side of the point. There is a small sand channel that separates two kelp covered rocky areas. Your best plan is to swim out throught the sand channel, submerge and make a 90° turn into the kelp. Stay underwater and navigate. Swimming on top of kelp (kelp crawl) is a practice in near futility. Exit the dive by swimming back throught the sand channel. | Get to Lover's by getting off Highway 1 at Del Monte Ave and stay in the right hand lane. Go under the building and merge to the right onto Lighthouse Street. Travel past the Aquarium. Lover's Point is three small coves that you can walk into. Two coves on the east side, and one on the ocean side. |
Carmel, Califonia Scuba Diving Sites | ||
Site Name | Dive Information | Area Information |
Point Lobos |
PLSR is one of the best places to bring non-divers. The topside nature preserve is outstanding. Take a hike between dives. Whaler's cove is a walk-in from a boat ramp. There are three main areas to explore (middle reef, coal chute, and the point). Middle reef is a granite rock formation that hosts many macro subjects. Bring a camera. The vis is not bad (15-30 feet is normal). The middle reef is a very well protected area with almost no swell or surge. Take some time to meander through the kelp since is doesn't move much. I have not explored coal chute, it is a long swim to get there. The point is where the seals and sea lions can be found. This area is more intermediate because the swells and surge make it hard to navigate and not get trapped on a rock. Because of the swells, kelp is more of a entanglement hazard. | PLSR is right off of Highway 1. There is a $5.00 car enterance fee to help pay for the splendor. Make reservations 2 months in advance to dive this site at their Internet site. There is a $7.00 team fee for Scuba diving or Skin diving. |
Point Lobos |
I have not been to this area. You will need to bring a kayak or canoe to get around the point to this spot. | PLSR is right off of Highway 1. There is a $5.00 car enterance fee to help pay for the splendor. Make reservations 2 months in advance to dive this site at their Internet site. There is a $7.00 team fee for Scuba diving or Skin diving. |
Monsatery(North Rocks) Intermediate to Advanced |
To enter Monastery use the large sand channel between the north rocks and the south side. Just 100 yards from the shore is the underwater canyon (depth to below 2000 feet). Monastery opens toward the northwest (315°). The canyon brings a lot of cold water up from the depths to bath this area in nutrient rich water. The diversity of life here is the best to be had anywhere nearby. Here you will find many nudibranchs. Hydrocorals can be found here too. If you do not have heavy surf entry/exit experience, do not do this dive. There is a not-so-funny joke about how you leave Monastery--on your knees. The surf is almost never calm enough to walk out, so you need to crawl. | Take Highway 1 to Monastery Beach. The beach is located about 4 miles south of the Highway 68/Highway 1 intersection. |
Monsatery(South Side) Intermediate to Advanced |
Use the large sand channel between the north rocks and the south side to get into the water. The south side is more protected than the north rock, but it is not as close to the the U/W canyon. The is lots of macro life here. Monastery is for people who have experience in heavy surf, know your limits. You will probably need to crawl out of the water--walking out is not advised. | Take Highway 1 to Monastery Beach. The beach is located about 4 miles south of the Highway 68/Highway 1 intersection. |
Sonoma County, Califonia Scuba Diving Sites | ||
Site Name | Dive Information | Area Information |
Salt PointIntermediate |
There are two coves (Gerstle Cove and South Gerstle Cove) that are the most popular. The depth range is from shallow-90 feet (Gerstle Cove to 90 feet and South GC to 50 feet) with a rugged bottom contour. These sites have surge and low vis due to the south-westward opening of the of the cove. | Get there by heading north past San Francisco on Highway 1 into Sonoma County. Go past Fort Ross and continue north. Look for the road marker for Salt Point State Park. |
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