Anyone recently gone in at Stillwater Cove, Pebble Beach?

[jowe]

I've heard Stillwater Cove is mostly urchin barren (sadness)/not much to see for a shore dive, is that still the case?

What I've read suggests a kayak or DPV to get out to more of the creatures and scenery we hope for, but I don't have either of those, hence hoping someone has recent experiences.

Thank you kindly!

 

[eightytwenty]

The kelp is still healthy out by the rocks, although there is a distinct "line" between the urchin barren and kelp. Overall a cool site with the rocky relief and the (in some places) dense kelp. I have friends who have surface swam out to the rocks, but a small boat or kayak or DPV would definitely make life easier. Not sure the dive would be "worth it" with the surface swim out and back. I know lots of spearos who make the swim out just about every weekend, but they have less gear than we do.

 

[jowe]

Thank you! I'm glad there's healthy kelp at least, even if its further out than one would hope for.

We're spoiled for dive sites, but we could use more kelp in all of them. Since I'm not the pied piper of urchin-hungry sea-otters, I'll go with a donation to Sunflower Star Laboratory - a long game, but a good one