First Cold Water / Kelp Diving Experience

[Rick Inman]

Well, I ended up at MBDC for two dives.

The water was 52 degrees below the thermocline, but in a 7mm suit and hood, it actually wasn't too bad. The parts of my face that the mask and hood didn't cover felt cold, and the gloves from the rental place weren't great, so my hands were freezing, but I think with a better set of gloves the cold really wouldn't be that bad.

We did breakwater both dives, and despite the guides enthusiasm, I have to tell you, I wasn't all that impressed. The viz was probably 6-12' and unless you really like Nudibranchs and sea cucumbers, I didn't think there was a lot to see. There were a couple of stalks of kelp, but certainly not what I'd consider a forest.

They had us using low pressure tanks both dives - so we were only working from 2250 PSI or so. Is that normal for that part of the world?

There were no sea lions around - and I'm a big fan of seals and sea lions, so if there had been I might have had a completely different perspective on the experience.

I've heard a lot of people talk about how great California diving is. Did I miss something? Are there better sites in the area I should try to find next time?

Hi. I'm not from Monterey, but It's one of my favorite places to dive. I like it better than Hawaii, better than Cozumel.

Were you able to get a chance to read Chuck's links before you went? Of course, there are other sites to dive, like Monastery, but depending on conditions and your diving skills, a guide might not be too excited about taking you there.

Nothing wrong with Breakwater for a first dive (love the night dive there), but if I only have two dives, I would have then planned a dive at Lobos. Personally, I could dive Monastery, Lobos and Lovers Cove for the rest of my life and be happy.

Hey, call me crazy, but I like Breakwater, too. I like to do a nice, relaxed, long surface swim before I drop down, then come back all the way underwater. I've seen some of the coolest stuff in 12' of water in the sandy area fifty feet from the beach.

As for the tanks, it's really about cubic feet of air, not if it's LP or not. Were the tanks LP 95s? Those are rated to 2400 (a little more with the +), and although 2250 is a bit underfill, it's plenty of gas for a nice long recreational dive at a shallow site like Breakwater.

My suggestion for next time is to book a day on the Monterey Express.

 

[Driznik]

You make a good point. Don't get me wrong. I'm not knocking California diving. Really I'm just saying I wasn't that impressed with the dives I did, and asking where I can find better diving next time.

You're absolutely right. Different things interest different people - and small inverts and sea stars aren't really my thing.

I did read those links before I left. They helped a lot. My bouancy control is usually pretty good, but I had to adjust it a whole lot more often because of all the neoprene.

There were a large number of people doing their OW that day, so I think that is part of why the viz was so bad. We didn't get out to the fields. Both dives were along the wall - one started about half way, and the other going almost all the way out and swimming back underwater.

The tanks were LP 95s.

I'm not giving up on it though. I recognize that what I saw isn't the best of the I'll try a couple of the other sites you suggest - and definitely do a day on the Monterey Express or another of the boats next time I'm in the area.

D

 

[JustinW]

www.coldwaterimages.com

These are taken by a monterey diver, and a member of the board that frequents here often. Look at these photos and tell me what you think of monterey then.

 

[Driznik]

Guys! I really should have been clearer. I didn't mean to give the impression that I'm knocking Monterey diving! I'm knocking the dive I had in Monterey. There is a big difference, but I can see how the way I worded my post made it sound like the former.

From everything I've heard and seen, I know there is great diving there. I'd just really like some help finding it! I'm just trying to get a list of sites together so next time I'm back I get some better dives.

 

[dsafanda]

I dove the Breakwater on Friday 7/29 and the conditions were indeed terrible! 5ft vis in most places. It wasn't green so much as just dirty.
The next day we dove at Otter Cove and Coral St. Beach . It was quite a bit better but far from great. More like 20ft vis. Yesterday we were on The Sanctuary and dove North Cypress and Local's Ledge. We had excellent conditons! It was probably 55ft vis or better at 70ft depth. Monterey Bay conditions were definitely location dependent this past weekend.

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

Everything's been location-dependent, in all four dimensions. Sunday, I did two dives on the
same site (ocean end of the west reef in Whaler's), with about an hour and 45 minutes
surface interval. 40' vis on the first, 70' on the second. The vis is very patchy and
the patches are moving around.

Count your blessings. Usually by now we'd be thankful for 25', and it wouldn't get
better till mid-Sept.


Chuck