Shore diving in Monterey

[everlasting]

I've been trying to plan a trip for myself and two friends for Monterey sometime in December.

What are your favorite shore dives? We're all beginners (I'm the most experienced, with 50 dives, and my friends are all newly certified). But all of us have been certified and dive in California, so are used to cold, low viz...etc.

I also really wanted to see otters. Which dives sites do you commonly see them in?

(if there's already a thread on this, I'd appreciate being pointed in the right direction)

Thanks!

 

[Gombessa]

If you're coming in December, I'd suggest making one Point Lobos reservation per weekend dive day for you and your two friends. Reservations can be made two months in advance of the day you you plan to dive, so if you're going to be here the weekend of Dec 13-14, you can make reservations on Oct 13-14. A reservation is good for two people (but I've always gone with 3 and have never been turned away at the gate) and is $10, plus another 10 or so for parking when you get there. If you're diving on a weekday, you can usually show up early in the morning and get in without a reservation.

I've seen a lot of otters on the surface, especially where there's a lot of kelp for them to wrap themselves around. By December, much of the kelp will be gone, and I'm pretty sure they're less frequent. I don't recall ever seeing an otter while underwater. If you gotta see 'em, there's always the Aquarium

 

[cmburch]

The best way to see sea otters is by kayak. There is a minimum distance that you are suppose to stay away from them in some areas. Though they tend to come up to you if they are not sleeping. Their range is pretty big now. I have seen them from Big Sur to past Santa Cruz. Moss Landing (not diving) I have seen them eating green crabs and clams. I have seen them in Monterey Bay, Carmel Bay, Stillwater Cove, Big Sur, etc. I do not notice them that much while diving. I see them often when entering the water to go diving, but have only seen them underwater a few times.

 

[dannobee]

Like others have said, you'll most likely see them in Point Lobos. They're also commonly seen around the 17 mile drive area, usually basking on the surface near or in the kelp.

I was kayaking in Moss Landing (Elkhorn Slough) and an otter jumped up on my buddy's kayak and stayed there for about five minutes, hitchhiking further in the Slough. Don't know how common that is, but take it for what it's worth.

Here's a link for shore diving:

California Diving News Dive Sites

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

A good way to see otters is to take the walking trail from the breakwater to Fisherman's Wharf.

Or just hang out on the breakwater launch ramp pier.