Posted by Melvin Pasley on January 28, 2002 at 08:29:30:
In Reply to: New to Monterey diving posted by Dave Barratt on January 28, 2002 at 05:30:00:
I go to Monterey every June to dive for a day or two. The shore diving is very good, but you will have a rocky entry and depending on where you dive, you will have to crawl out over bolders in the water. This coast line is all a marine sancatuary (over 5,322 square miles and 300 miles of coast line), so look, but don't touch. http://bonita.mbnms.nos.noaa.gov/Educate/divebrochure/divebrochure.html will get you the lattest brouchure on this and is worth reading. Lots of seals and otters.
Boat diving is probably better, but I have not yet done it. The Aquairm http://www.mbayaq.org/ is a must see and will take a full day. The diving in front of the aquairm is awsom, but you need a boat or kayak to get to it. Ask about the resident giant pacific octopus. When I was there last year, California Diving newspaper had an article about a giant pacific octopus with estimated tenticles of 8 feet! Seems to me lived down around Spanish Cove but don't quote me on that.
There is also the Point Lobos State park, which is highly recommended. They limit access to a certain number each day, and will not let you into the park to dive without your dive buddy with you. Their website is
http://pt-lobos.parks.state.ca.us/scuba/scuba.shtml
As for dive stores, there is one on every other block down by the water. You may try http://www.mantaraydive.com/ and for a boat try this site, amoung others
http://www.montereyexpress.com/
You also have to be careful and ask the locals. I dove lovers cove there last year, bought a dive map, went off the north side of the point, sand beach, but had to crawl out over bolders for yards, and 75 yards out the water was still real shallow. I found out later that the north side is closed to scuba in the summer with a hefty fine (didn't get caught). So ask. I then dove the south side. The coast is rugged cliffs and bolder strewn bottoms with lots of kelp. Water temp on July 1st is 55-58 so you will be right at home. Currents can be a challenge so definatly find someone local. I also recommend you buy a local dive map. Good luck and have fun.