Kayak diving in Monterey

[Kayak Diver]

We're heading up to Monterey for a few days of diving over Labor Day. Two of our buddies are heading down from the Bay Area, who are recent Socal transplants (i.e. they're still getting to know their way around). They don't own kayaks, and were used to renting them down here. They're having trouble finding a rental shop, either in the Bay Area or at Monterey. Seems like most places either don't want you to take them away from their little protective cove, or they want to charge a fortune. Any of you kayak divers have any tips?

On another note, we've been paddling out to sites using Chuck's GPS coordinates, or to other dive sites like the ones descibed in Cal Diving News. Any local advice on good kayak dive sites?

Thanks,
Geoff

 

[Ben_ca]

If you are there during the week make Pt Lobos your first stop. There's easy access to deep water, well sheltered and easy launch facilities even a hose to wash off aftewards. They do check C cards and limit access to 15 dive teams a day. During the week you are almost sure to get in. Pt Lobos has the info online. You can get to some pretty advanced and exposed spots from there so watch the swells, current and wind.... and Chucks web info is a definite must read. Have fun and dive safe

 

[Kayak Diver]

Thanks Ben. We've been to Point Lobos a couple of times and had a great time. Our favorite spots so far are the Great Pinnacle and Thumb's Up. We have a pass for Monday, and will be looking for good spots at other areas over the weekend.

Geoff

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

Not only do the Monterey shops not want you to put the kayak on
the roof of your car, they don't want you to dive from them either.
There are a couple of places in Silicon Valley that do rent dive yaks.
I've got some info at home in my archives. Watch this space.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Not only do the Monterey shops not want you to put the kayak on
the roof of your car, they don't want you to dive from them either.
There are a couple of places in Silicon Valley that do rent dive yaks.
I've got some info at home in my archives. Watch this space.

Why would the Monterey dive shops care if someone uses a kayak or not or has one on top of their car??
I don't understand. Please clarify.

ZKY

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Why would the Monterey dive shops care if someone uses a kayak or not or has one on top of their car??
I don't understand. Please clarify.

ZKY

Never mind.
I saw the first post about the kayaks and he meant THEIR kayaks not someone's personal kayak. DUH!!

 

[melfox26]

There's a small shack located at Lover's Point in Pacific Grove that I believe is called "Adventures by the Sea" or something like that that rents kayaks that you should be able to dive off of. Plenty of free parking around that area coupled with an easy shore entry (cove 1, nearest the rental shop) would probably be easiest for you guys. LP info should be on Mr. Tribolet's site if you need more infor regarding that particualr site.


Dive safe,

Mel

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

Never mind.
I saw the first post about the kayaks and he meant THEIR kayaks not someone's personal kayak. DUH!!

And not dive shops, but rather kayak rental shops.

 

[zf2nt]

If you are there during the week make Pt Lobos your first stop. There's easy access to deep water, well sheltered and easy launch facilities even a hose to wash off aftewards. They do check C cards and limit access to 15 dive teams a day. During the week you are almost sure to get in.

The last time I showed up on a weekday (August 12), I set a new record for myself by being assigned team #15! We were standing in line 30 minutes before the gate opened and still barely managed to make it. And the time before that (July 29), I received #14, another close call. So yes, you normally can show up on a weekday without a reservation and get in, but this is cutting things awfully close. If it's really important to you to get into Lobos, I think you should pay for a reservation even on a weekday. Of course, both of my close calls were on a Friday and that just might be a busy day for them. This week I'm going to try it on a Thursday and see what happens...

Bruce

 

[Kayak Diver]

Not only do the Monterey shops not want you to put the kayak on
the roof of your car, they don't want you to dive from them either.
There are a couple of places in Silicon Valley that do rent dive yaks.
I've got some info at home in my archives. Watch this space.

Thanks Chuck. I'll check back in later.

Geoff