point lobos in April

[Gombessa]

This may be helpful as a reference:

Lobos map: Point Lobos Underwater Maps
Middle Reef: Point Lobos Underwater Maps: Whaler's Middle Reef

Most newer divers stay well within Whaler's Cove for their first few Lobos dives. The only problem with this is as dannobee mentions, the viz usually isn't quite as good as outside the cove. "Middle Reef" should be a great dive - the Northern, deeper end is in about 60', the Southern, shallower end well inside the cove is about 25' and the slope is quite gentle. Compass navigation is also easy, head North to go out of the cove, head South to get back in.

If you haven't dived or swam in kelp or cold water before, it's useful to read the following:
Kelp Diving Information
New Monterey Diver Information

 

[Peter_C]

Gombessa just totally hooked you up!

Have fun when you come to Cali!

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

Now, if there happens to be huge seas that day (think BIG Pacific storm), it's possible for the surge to extend all the way up the boat ramp and into the parking lot.

That can happen on a really high tide even with a moderate swell.
Fortunately, it doesn't affect the diving much then.

 

[wrybosome]

Wow, thanks everyone! Can't wait to get out there, just wish I had more than a day.

 

[wrybosome]

This may be helpful as a reference:

Lobos map: Point Lobos Underwater Maps
Middle Reef: Point Lobos Underwater Maps: Whaler's Middle Reef

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Thanks Gombessa, that's really helpful.

 

[wrybosome]

Do you need a buoy at the cove? I see there's a boat ramp.

 

[dannobee]

Do you need a buoy at the cove? I see there's a boat ramp.

Nope. Some of the tech guys will throw one out there to stage their gear, but no, just walk down the ramp and have fun.

 

[nwscubamom]

Be REALLY REALLY careful walking down the boat ramp!! They come out and pressure wash it to get the slick algae off it every month or so, but it gets very very slick and people have fallen in their gear and broken appendages.

I find that staying to the far left as you go down the ramp is easiest and you can hold onto the boulders. I put my fins on at the boulders right at the base, then sort of leap off the end of the ramp.

You can see in this one a dark line of algae near the bottom of the ramp, and the guy cleaning with his pressure washer.

Stay to the far left, and you should be good.

- Janna

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

Do you need a buoy at the cove? I see there's a boat ramp.

I think you meant a buoy or float with a dive flag that you tow around? They aren't
required in California, and would get all tangled in the kelp. And Whaler's Cove is a
no-wake zone anyway.

 

[wrybosome]

You guys are awesome, thanks so much. I feel like I've been there, can't wait for April!