It's not like anyone needs a trip report on Monterey, but I thought it might be helpful to describe my experiences in case any other experienced divers are wondering about diving in Northern California for the first time.
Since I started diving, I have wanted to see the kelp forest environment. Reading and looking at pictures/video, I knew I had to experience it for myself one day. For years, I tried to convince anyone from my east-coast dive crew to go. But there were no takers, so when I was planning a trip to visit a friend in Oakland, I decided to just add a few days and check out Monterey on my own. All of my ocean experience has been in warm water. I do have significant time in the local quarries, but the temps there are usually in the 60s (we generally keep the students above the thermoclines). So my biggest concern was getting cold. I'm not drysuit certified. If I had more time, I would have taken drysuit out there - it would have been a great place to learn. I am also very tall and large and most rental gear does not fit. So I decided to get some 5mm semi-dry gloves, some 7mm boots without holes, and a lavacore vest with hood to supplement my 7mm wetsuit and 7mm hood.
I am comfortable shore diving on my own, but because of cold, unfamiliarity with the environment, and just general newness, I decided to go out for 2 days with Breakwater Scuba. The first day we did 2 dives right across the street from the shop at San Carlos Beach (Breakwater). The second day I had arranged to go with Breakwater to Point Lobos, and we did 2 dives at Whaler's Cove. The water temperature was 54F. Having that much neoprene was pretty uncomfortable out of the water, but once the dives started, it wasn't bad. My arms, hands, and feet were chilly but it never reached the blue lip, shivering state. I actually found the second dive to be a little warmer, which makes no sense. It helped that the air temps were about 65 and sunny.
So, the cold wasn't as big a deal as I made it out to be. But was it worth it? Hell yeah! Pinnipeds, Nudibranchs, Invertebrates everywhere. A leopard shark at Point Lobos! The kelp forest environment was as magical as I'd imagined. Especially Point Lobos - that place is amazing. I was hauling so much gear I couldn't bring my bigger camera setup, but I did bring my TG4 and one strobe. Next time, the big camera is coming no doubt. Breakwater was very professional and helpful. The guides went much faster than I would have gone, but the other diver wasn't a photographer, so that's typical. It was also quite expensive - almost $100/dive with tip, tank, weights, guide. But totally worth it. The entries and nav were very straightforward so I would feel more confident doing it on my own when I go back. A bonus - I had no idea Backscatter West was right next door. Cool to see the showroom after spending so much time on their website.
In summary - if you have mostly warm water experience like me, you owe it to yourself to at least check out CA diving. I hope to see Catalina, maybe some Channel Islands, and more NorCal sites in the future.
Gallery: https://www.flickr.com/gp/bmorejojo/DyT751
Since I started diving, I have wanted to see the kelp forest environment. Reading and looking at pictures/video, I knew I had to experience it for myself one day. For years, I tried to convince anyone from my east-coast dive crew to go. But there were no takers, so when I was planning a trip to visit a friend in Oakland, I decided to just add a few days and check out Monterey on my own. All of my ocean experience has been in warm water. I do have significant time in the local quarries, but the temps there are usually in the 60s (we generally keep the students above the thermoclines). So my biggest concern was getting cold. I'm not drysuit certified. If I had more time, I would have taken drysuit out there - it would have been a great place to learn. I am also very tall and large and most rental gear does not fit. So I decided to get some 5mm semi-dry gloves, some 7mm boots without holes, and a lavacore vest with hood to supplement my 7mm wetsuit and 7mm hood.
I am comfortable shore diving on my own, but because of cold, unfamiliarity with the environment, and just general newness, I decided to go out for 2 days with Breakwater Scuba. The first day we did 2 dives right across the street from the shop at San Carlos Beach (Breakwater). The second day I had arranged to go with Breakwater to Point Lobos, and we did 2 dives at Whaler's Cove. The water temperature was 54F. Having that much neoprene was pretty uncomfortable out of the water, but once the dives started, it wasn't bad. My arms, hands, and feet were chilly but it never reached the blue lip, shivering state. I actually found the second dive to be a little warmer, which makes no sense. It helped that the air temps were about 65 and sunny.
So, the cold wasn't as big a deal as I made it out to be. But was it worth it? Hell yeah! Pinnipeds, Nudibranchs, Invertebrates everywhere. A leopard shark at Point Lobos! The kelp forest environment was as magical as I'd imagined. Especially Point Lobos - that place is amazing. I was hauling so much gear I couldn't bring my bigger camera setup, but I did bring my TG4 and one strobe. Next time, the big camera is coming no doubt. Breakwater was very professional and helpful. The guides went much faster than I would have gone, but the other diver wasn't a photographer, so that's typical. It was also quite expensive - almost $100/dive with tip, tank, weights, guide. But totally worth it. The entries and nav were very straightforward so I would feel more confident doing it on my own when I go back. A bonus - I had no idea Backscatter West was right next door. Cool to see the showroom after spending so much time on their website.
In summary - if you have mostly warm water experience like me, you owe it to yourself to at least check out CA diving. I hope to see Catalina, maybe some Channel Islands, and more NorCal sites in the future.
Gallery: https://www.flickr.com/gp/bmorejojo/DyT751
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I went a year ago and I think they’ve also increased their prices a little.
