Dive Report: Gerstle Cove Sunday 4/13

[alibi 2]

Beautiful!...it was pretty ugly last time I saw it...conditions like this is what we are always hoping for

 

[Hinalo]

How deep can this dive site get? What type of marine mammals are present in this location? What other perils can be expected at this site?

I've heard Sonoma county is for experienced divers and that there is so much life to see in these waters and you guys have the pics to back that up.

At Gerstle Cove you can probably swim out to about 60' before you hit turn pressure. the bottom is really just a boulder field gradually sloping down to a relatively barren expanse of mostly flat rock and sand. The good stuff is in the boulder fields and in and around the massive rock dikes and pinnacles you find on the way out. Deeper than about 45 feet you begin to see metridiums.

There are harbor seals, we saw one Sunday. Perils? Can't really think of any except perhaps a mild longshore current running west to east outside the cove some days. Sometimes, when a swell is running it's good to sit and watch the ocean for half an hour before deciding whether to go in.

 

[saf1]

It may have been mentioned already, but where is this place? I was looking on a map but didn't notice Gerstle Cove around Monterey - and I'm not a expert on the area so I thought to ask.

Sorry for such a bone headed question. It looks pretty neat and I wanted to add it to my possible dive sites I'd like to visit locally - well, outside of Sacramento anyway.

 

[mtbrider]

Great photos! I have been playing with my new camera setup but I'm not very good yet.

Gerstle Cove has been looking really good lately. Last year it was a bit barren but lately it has been coming alive. The entry is not bad lately either, the rocks aren't slimy like they sometimes are. It's really a nice dive.

Gerstle Cove is located in Salt Point State Park, about 18 mi north of Jenner on Hwy 1.
Salt Point SP

 

[DiverChix]

It may have been mentioned already, but where is this place? I was looking on a map but didn't notice Gerstle Cove around Monterey - and I'm not a expert on the area so I thought to ask.

Sorry for such a bone headed question. It looks pretty neat and I wanted to add it to my possible dive sites I'd like to visit locally - well, outside of Sacramento anyway.

It is a really nice place to dive, and very rarely have I not been able to dive at least inside of the cove. The campgroud I usually stay at is only 2 miles from the dive site, Stillwater Campground. There are other great spots to dive around that area as well, and from Sacrament it wouldn't be a hard drive for you.

There is an article on the Sonoma County Campgrounds website that gives you more information. It is a reserve, no take zone. There are yellow markers right at the edge of the cove (painted on rocks) that show you where the reserve ends. It is really a nice spot for underwater photography. If you kick out to the edge of the cove and then drop down, you can get a nice dive in and see the metridiums.

 

[fisheater]

It may have been mentioned already, but where is this place? I was looking on a map but didn't notice Gerstle Cove around Monterey - and I'm not a expert on the area so I thought to ask.

Sorry for such a bone headed question. It looks pretty neat and I wanted to add it to my possible dive sites I'd like to visit locally - well, outside of Sacramento anyway.

It's part of Salt Point State Park, north of Ft. Ross on the Sonoma Coast.

Salt Point SP

There's a Gerstle Cove and a South Gerstle Cove. Check them out on Google Earth.

Gerstle Cove: 38°34'1.86"N 123°19'49.12"W

South Gerstle Cove: 38°33'49.18"N 123°19'27.10"W

 

[micboucher]

At Gerstle Cove you can probably swim out to about 60' before you hit turn pressure. the bottom is really just a boulder field gradually sloping down to a relatively barren expanse of mostly flat rock and sand. The good stuff is in the boulder fields and in and around the massive rock dikes and pinnacles you find on the way out. Deeper than about 45 feet you begin to see metridiums.

There are harbor seals, we saw one Sunday. Perils? Can't really think of any except perhaps a mild longshore current running west to east outside the cove some days. Sometimes, when a swell is running it's good to sit and watch the ocean for half an hour before deciding whether to go in.

And we got buzzed by a sea lion on the 2nd dive.

 

[saf1]

Thank you all for the replies regarding the location. I've added it to my "to dive" list and bookmarked the park information as well I am looking forward to diving it.

In fact, it may take top spot over Monterey here within the next two weeks weather permitting. I was getting ready to take a trip to Monterey and spend a day looking over a couple sites then dive the next day after picking.

We will visit for sure the following sites but not sure which to dive - we have dove many times at breakwater for certs and equipment learning with our deep dives off the Cypress Sea.

Monastery Beach (may not dive since it would be our first)
Pt. Lobos - really on our list, but appear to be booked for a couple months
McAbee
Lovers Point/cove(?)

Anyway - those pictures really help when reading the dive reports. Have a good day.
-scott

 

[micboucher]

OMG - That is the group I was with in the background of your photos of the beach! I probably saw you on the dive I did!

I was blown away when I saw your photos!

Wow, what a small world. Aww, I wish we would have met. Hopefully, we'll meet at one of the M&Gs or something soon.

 

[DiverChix]

Wow, what a small world. Aww, I wish we would have met. Hopefully, we'll meet at one of the M&Gs or something soon.

Yes, if not the May event...maybe the next one. That was such a great day for diving. I tried to take photos with my new camera, but they didn't turn out very good. I will have to get used to the new setup. The new manual strobe is killing me!