Kayak diving in Monterey

[Kayak Diver]

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

Say...I called Adventures by the Sea to find out their story. Turns out kayaks are only $30 per day, but there are restrictions on where you can go. When renting from the Cannery Row shop, you can only paddle between the aquarium and the harbor. Sounds like they have another shop at Lover's Point...I'm not familiar with that area so I don't know what the limitations are or what the diving would be like there. Guess I should check out my maps. Anyway, the only thing they mentioned about diving off of their kayaks is that you have to have your own safety gear, including an anchor and a dive flag. No problem there. They have Drifters and other kayaks that are good to dive from.

 

[BrianM]

...They're having trouble finding a rental shop, either in the Bay Area or at Monterey

Geoff,

You should try Sport Chalet. They have a good selection of Ocean Kayak models like the Malibu and the Prowler, both have tank wells for SCUBA. I have a Scupper Pro with 2 hatches and no t/w so I have been looking into getting a prowler with a t/w. Everytime I go in there and look they mention I should rent one and try it out. I think they charge $25 which is pretty cheap, and they have never mentioned any restrictions on usage. I think they said it includes paddle and backrest too.

They have a store in Pleasanton and Antioch...you can try their website for the best location but they really should hire someone to fix it...they have one of the worst websites I have ever seen.

Brian

 

[Kayak Diver]

Geoff,

You should try Sport Chalet. They have a good selection of Ocean Kayak models like the Malibu and the Prowler, both have tank wells for SCUBA. I have a Scupper Pro with 2 hatches and no t/w so I have been looking into getting a prowler with a t/w. Everytime I go in there and look they mention I should rent one and try it out. I think they charge $25 which is pretty cheap, and they have never mentioned any restrictions on usage. I think they said it includes paddle and backrest too.

They have a store in Pleasanton and Antioch...you can try their website for the best location but they really should hire someone to fix it...they have one of the worst websites I have ever seen.

Brian

Thanks Brian.

A good friend of mine dives off a Scupper Pro TW (yours but with a tank well). He loves it but I found it to be a bit too tipsy. I'm paddling a Scrabler XT, and pretty happy with it so far. The only thing I don't like is cramming two tanks in tank well. A few weeks ago I dove with a guy that paddled a Maliby Two. It didn't have a tank well, but he had plenty of room to secure both tanks in the seat in front of him. That made for switching tanks really easy. I was jealous. I personally liked the layout of the Drifter better than the Prowler, but haven't been in either boat.

I know Sport Chalet is cheaper, but I think Antioch is out of the way for my Bay Area Buddies. Last time I talked to the Pleasonton guys they said that they didn't have kayaks for rent, but would some day in the future. Maybe they do now.

Geoff

 

[BrianM]

Thanks Brian.

A good friend of mine dives off a Scupper Pro TW (yours but with a tank well). He loves it but I found it to be a bit too tipsy. I'm paddling a Scrabler XT, and pretty happy with it so far. The only thing I don't like is cramming two tanks in tank well. A few weeks ago I dove with a guy that paddled a Maliby Two. It didn't have a tank well, but he had plenty of room to secure both tanks in the seat in front of him. That made for switching tanks really easy. I was jealous. I personally liked the layout of the Drifter better than the Prowler, but haven't been in either boat.

I know Sport Chalet is cheaper, but I think Antioch is out of the way for my Bay Area Buddies. Last time I talked to the Pleasonton guys they said that they didn't have kayaks for rent, but would some day in the future. Maybe they do now.

Geoff

Who makes the drifter?? I haven't seen that one...and since I am pretty close to making the move I want to make sure I check all the models out. I just got into spearfishing within the last year and everyone said to get a scupper pro, but I should have thought it thru and realized I would want to use it for scuba as well.

As for being tippy, I haven't dumped my scupper while getting on or off but man I have really looked stupid going thru the surf and rolling it 6 or 7 times and almost losing my brand new fins...it is quite amusing to watch me come in!!! At least now I make sure EVERYTHING is put away since I pretty much expect to take a swim.

I dive with a friend who has a 2 seater, I think it is a malibu, and last time we went halibut hunting he ended up taking both of our tanks & BCs on his kayak and I just paddled out on mine with my gun and gear... it was great but he had a hard time keeping up with me paddling...haha

 

[rabbithill]

Say...I called Adventures by the Sea to find out their story. Turns out kayaks are only $30 per day, but there are restrictions on where you can go. When renting from the Cannery Row shop, you can only paddle between the aquarium and the harbor. Sounds like they have another shop at Lover's Point...I'm not familiar with that area so I don't know what the limitations are or what the diving would be like there. Guess I should check out my maps. Anyway, the only thing they mentioned about diving off of their kayaks is that you have to have your own safety gear, including an anchor and a dive flag. No problem there. They have Drifters and other kayaks that are good to dive from.

If you are going to dive at Lovers, be aware that there are restrictions on where divers can enter and exit, and also when you can dive. Chuck probably has the details on his page someplace, but I think you might need to be out of the water by noon (+/-). Something about their summer hours which are more beach lounger friendly than diver friendly.

-Cynthia

 

[Kayak Diver]

Who makes the drifter?? I haven't seen that one...

As for being tippy, I haven't dumped my scupper while getting on or off but man I have really looked stupid going thru the surf and rolling it 6 or 7 times and almost losing my brand new fins...it is quite amusing to watch me come in!!! At least now I make sure EVERYTHING is put away since I pretty much expect to take a swim.

I dive with a friend who has a 2 seater, I think it is a malibu, and last time we went halibut hunting he ended up taking both of our tanks & BCs on his kayak and I just paddled out on mine with my gun and gear... it was great but he had a hard time keeping up with me paddling...haha

Ocean Kayak also makes the drifter. It's supposed to track as well if not better than the Scrampler XT and can take more weight. The front hatch is big enough for a second tank.

You said it about the surf...it can be rough coming in sometime. I haven't rolled yet with my scuba stuff, but have come close. I need to get out every once and awhile to surf around so that coming in loaded is easier.

I've seen guys without a tank well strap a tank between their legs.

 

[Kayak Diver]

If you are going to dive at Lovers, be aware that there are restrictions on where divers can enter and exit, and also when you can dive. Chuck probably has the details on his page someplace, but I think you might need to be out of the water by noon (+/-). Something about their summer hours which are more beach lounger friendly than diver friendly.

-Cynthia

Thanks for the advice Cynthia. I'll check out Chuck's site later for details.

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

I dug up the old post on renting dive kayaks. It listed two places: Splash Aquatics in
Santa Clara (now defunct) and REI in San Carlos. It would be worth checking with the
other REIs. And note that this info is about five years old.

You gotta be out of the water and off the beach by 11:30 at Lovers in the summer.
Details: http://www.garlic.com/~triblet/singles/lovers.html (yes, I know the map's
busted).

 

[Kayak Diver]

I dug up the old post on renting dive kayaks. It listed two places: Splash Aquatics in
Santa Clara (now defunct) and REI in San Carlos. It would be worth checking with the
other REIs. And note that this info is about five years old.

You gotta be out of the water and off the beach by 11:30 at Lovers in the summer.
Details: http://www.garlic.com/~triblet/singles/lovers.html (yes, I know the map's
busted).

Thanks Chuck.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

You gotta be out of the water and off the beach by 11:30 at Lovers in the summer.
Details: http://www.garlic.com/~triblet/singles/lovers.html (yes, I know the map's
busted).

I don't get why divers have to be off the beach by 11:30.
Why do they have the right to discriminate?
I thought public beaches were open to all citizens to enjoy their water sport of choice.

ZKY