- Monterey Bay Diving -

San Carlos Beach
beginner or better
depths: 15 - 60ft.
San Carlos Beach is located at the intersection of Reeside and Cannery Row. Situated in a sheltered location with a gradual sloping sandy/rocky bottom, it is a prime spot for practicing new skills or trying out new equipment. Restrooms, showers, water for boat washing and a free boat launch ramp are also available. San Carlos Beach is within Ed Ricketts State Marine Conservation Area, and hosts a variety of marine life.
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McAbee Beach
beginner or better
depths: 10 - 40ft.
McAbee Beach is located on Cannery Row between Hoffman and Prescott. Conditions are generally calm - ideal for newer divers. McAbee Beach is within Ed Ricketts State Marine Conservation Area, and hosts a variety of marine life.
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Hopkin's Reef
beginner or better
depths: 20 - 90ft.
Hopkins Reef can be reached from McAbee Beach by swimming out to the left. It is also accessible by boat; McAbee Beach has a free boat launch. Hopkin's Reef is a protected refuge, with a large kelp forest and thriving marine life. Several marine science experiments are conducted here - please do not disturb the experiments. Boaters should not use anchors.
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Lover's Point
beginner or better
depths: 20 - 60ft.
Lover's Point is located within the Pacific Grove Marine Gardens Fish Refuge. Lover's Point offers both cove and ocean diving. Restrooms and picnic areas are available. Octopuses are often spotted during the day at Lover's Point; look for them on the sandy bottom between rocks, on kelp hold fasts, or even swimming in mid-water.
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Coral Street
intermediate or better
depths: 10 - 50ft.
Located in Pacific Grove, park along Ocean View Boulevard or the dirt parking lot. The protected cove is a great location on a calm day. Coral Street is within the Pacific Grove Marine Gardens Fish Refuge and hosts an abundance of invertebrate and monkey-faced eels. Best to dive during high tide.
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Eric's Pinnacle
One of the best sites for underwater photography, Eric's Pinnacle is located in the Pacific Grove Gardens State Marine Conservation Area. This site is too far from the beach to swim. Charter boats regular the site and there is a boat launch at Monterey Breakwater. Eric's Pinnacle consists of the Inner Chase Reef, Aumentos Reef and the Outer Chase Reef.
Inner Chase Reef:
beginner or better
depths: 20 - 50ft.
The rocky pinnacle rises from 65ft to 10ft below the surface. Loaded with marine life and generally calm. Good for new divers.
Aumentos Reef:
intermediate or better
depths: 40 - 120ft.
Terrific panoramic reef scenes and granite walls hosting an abundance of marine life: clusters of corynactis, anemones, bat rays and schools of Blues.
Outer Chase Reef:
intermediate or better
depths: 30 - 110ft.
A great place to photograph marine mammals like California sea lions, Harbor seals and sea otters. Grey whale can be seen on the annual migration - best in April. Current, surges and boat traffic may can be hazardous.
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Copper Roof House
intermediate or better
depths: 20 - 90ft.
Part of the Carmel Bay State Marine Conservation Area, Copper Roof House is located at the south end of Carmel Beach, park on Scenic Road near Martin Ave. Follow sandy channels out to the rocky reef. Loads of invertebrates and fish.
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Monastery Beach
intermediate or better
depths: 20 - +200ft.
At Monastery Beach you can go deep in just a short swim due to the short, steep surf line; enter from either end of the beach (not the center) and time your entries and exits to quickly get through the short surf zone.

Point Lobos
intermediate or better
depths: 15 - 100ft.
Reservations are required at Point Lobos. Reservation information may be found at http://www.ptlobos.org/general-info/diving/reservations. Divers may only enter the water at the boat ramp in Whalers Cove. Or use the boat ramp to launch your own small craft.

East Pascadero Pinnacle
intermediate or better
depths: 40 - 100ft.
Boat Access Only. Several Charter boats service the area. East Pascadero Pinnacle is located within the Carmel Pinnacles State marine Reserve. Visibility is usually very good, allowing for some great underwater photographing of hydro coral trees, crabs and sea stars.