Monterey, California
Good news and bad in Monterey. The bad news first: Water temperatures in Monterey and Carmel typically range from 49 degrees to 53 degrees Fahrenheit. Many divers find this a bit chilly and even 7 mm wetsuits with hood and 5-7 mm gloves don’t keep most divers warm for more than 40-45 minutes.
The good news: the cold nutrient rich waters prevalent especially in summer are driven by upwellings from the mile plus deep submarine canyon. Invertebrates love the currents and nutrient rich water, so in Carmel and Monterey rock walls can be covered with strawberry anemone, California hyrcocorals, bryozoa, feather duster worms, Christmas tree worms and a range of blue, purple, pink and red colors seemingly painted on the reefs as in an abstract painting. Blue and gold kelp forests, sea otters, harbor seals and sea lions make occasional appearances on dives while rockfish, lingcod, decorator crabs and more abound. Occasional molas and sea nettles also visit Monterey Bay as do dolphins, gray whales, and humpbacks.
Bottom line: If you can stomach the cold and visibility that ranges from four to forty feet usually, then Monterey is a beautiful place to dive. I love it. It is an acquired taste for some.
Location
Two hours by car South of San Francisco, California
Boat Operators
Beachhopper2 - Mary Jo (Monterey Wharf 2)
Sanctuary Charters (Montery Wharf 2)
Underwater Company - Phil Sammet (RHIB out of Pt Lobos)
