Posted by Karl S. on July 02, 2003 at 08:04:50:
In Reply to: Re: Conditions in Monterey?? posted by Melvin on July 02, 2003 at 07:23:21:
Currently the summer months' aquatic bloom has reduced vis to about zero in Northern Cal. July and August are not great months to dive here unless you are freediving for abs, and even so the ab season is closed during July.
The dive boats offer significantly better dive sites than beach sites do, and the beginner dive boats (Monterey Express & Escapade) are slung lower to the water and therefore have a slightly lower incidence of seasickness.
If you beach dive, stick to easy beaches like San Carlos Beach breakwater and MacAbee (El Toritos) in Monterey, just off Cannery Row, or else Lovers Cove in Pacific Grove at the oceanfront.
Melvin gave you most of the internet sites.
Now is not a good time to scuba dive in Northern Cal. Most scuba that you see now is comprised of students who dont know any better certifying for the first time. The better months to dive up here are September through May.
The best months are October through January, until the storms and rough seas begin. Its also beautiful to dive in March through May depending on the ocean. Last year we did not get much diving during the springtime, however, due to the roughness of the ocean swell and winds. Its touch and go then.
Melvin mentioned Point Lobos. You need a reservation for the weekend days, but weekdays are fairly easy to get into the park to dive then. You need a buddy, you are not allowed to dive solo there. Hope your spouse or significant other is a diver.