Is dive Flag Needed for CA Beach Dives?

[UB]

I am finalizing my trip to Monterey for the 19th, 20th and 21st. I figure my daughter and I would hit Breakwater on Friday (less trafic than on Sat or Sun), then Lover's Point, McAbee and/or Coral Street on Saturday and Sunday. I just wanted to know if I need to pack my dive flag. It appears I do not need it but wanted to ask.

Additional question - in general what type of vis can I expect. I plan on taking our cameras.

Any feedback is appreciated

Thanks

 

[dannobee]

Nope, no dive flag needed, but if you're around Breakwater, and do a long surface swim, there might be boat traffic in the area. Vis hasn't been too good at Breakwater from the reports that I've been hearing. Coral Street normally has a LOT better vis than most others in Monterey Bay area because of the better water flow/exchange. I've seen 50-60ft there. Others have reported better. For the really good vis, go South to Carmel.
I'll be at Point Lobos Friday, what time are you coming in?

I am finalizing my trip to Monterey for the 19th, 20th and 21st. I figure my daughter and I would hit Breakwater on Friday (less trafic than on Sat or Sun), then Lover's Point, McAbee and/or Coral Street on Saturday and Sunday. I just wanted to know if I need to pack my dive flag. It appears I do not need it but wanted to ask.

Additional question - in general what type of vis can I expect. I plan on taking our cameras.

Any feedback is appreciated

Thanks

 

[Ben_ca]

Pt Lobos Sat morning was a milky 15 at the boat ramp... opening up to 30-40 at cannery wall. So clear and bright in the shallows.... the HID's were difficult to use to signal.

Friends were at the Breakwater reported 10

 

[UB]

I thought Point Lobos was more of an advanced dive. My daughter and I are both novices, this will be the first dive of the year for us and I am a warm water (Florida) diver - so I was planning on keeping it simple.

If you can recommend a some different dive sites that would be great - We would welcome some company also!

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

We had 60' vis at the mouth of Whaler's yesterday. And BLUE water.

A dive flag is not required for any recreational dive in California (unless there's some local
reg, and I can't recall any). Makes sense, kinda hard to tow a float through kelp.

Pt. Lobos can be anything from very easy to quite technical, depending on where you
dive and conditions. The only thing that prevents it from being used for classes is
that reservations and C-cards are required.

 

[UB]

We had 60' vis at the mouth of Whaler's yesterday. And BLUE water.

A dive flag is not required for any recreational dive in California (unless there's some local
reg, and I can't recall any). Makes sense, kinda hard to tow a float through kelp.

Pt. Lobos can be anything from very easy to quite technical, depending on where you
dive and conditions. The only thing that prevents it from being used for classes is
that reservations and C-cards are required.

I would love to try Pt. Lobos - Can you recommend an easy dive in Pt. Lobos?

 

[UB]

Is Whaler's Cove (Point Lobos) an easy dive. Is it too late to make reservations or can I show up and pay the fee?

 

[D_O_H]

You should be able to just show up (with a buddy and C-cards) on Friday the 19th and pay the fee and dive. On the weekends, you need a reservation (and the 20th and 21st are already booked).

If you decide to go on Friday, let us know and we'll give you more information on where to dive (or you can do a search - there are a few threads on this already).

If you don't get into Lobos and don't end up hooking up with some locals, you might want to consider renting a divemaster from one of the local shops. I did this with someone from Monterey Bay Dive Center when I first moved to the area, and it was a great way to get a guided introduction to some of the local dive sites. The cost was $80 or so for 2 tanks.

 

[UB]

Any information for diving Pt Lobos is appreciated (What is a good time to get there or does it matter) on Friday we are coming down from San Fran

 

[D_O_H]

Here is some helpful info on the site you will probably dive. The key is not just dive in the sandy area in front of the boat ramp, but to actually get to the kelp and reef shown on the referenced page. The farther out of the cove you get, the better your viz will be.

I like to be there right at 9:00 when the gates open so I can snag a nice parking spot. By the boat ramp.