Is it a dive worth making happen? Absolutely.
Monterey (and especially Carmel) has some wonderful diving. But, if your budget allows, consider a guided dive on one of the charter boats. The boat diving in this area, as with many areas, tends to get you to clearer water, more interesting topograghy, more and varied life, more chance of picking the best spots on any given day. Boat diving in some respects can also be more challenging (although I would venture to say that the shore diving often is more challenging here than the boat diving!) so having a divemaster lead the dive will help you with some of those challenges and help you see a lot of things you might not otherwise notice or be able to identify. Since you only have a limited amount of time to dive Monterey, make the best of it! Here's a good source for Monterey dive boats: www.californiadiveboats.com.
Mike
Disclaimer-I am associated with a charter boat and dive shop.
Monterey (and especially Carmel) has some wonderful diving. But, if your budget allows, consider a guided dive on one of the charter boats. The boat diving in this area, as with many areas, tends to get you to clearer water, more interesting topograghy, more and varied life, more chance of picking the best spots on any given day. Boat diving in some respects can also be more challenging (although I would venture to say that the shore diving often is more challenging here than the boat diving!) so having a divemaster lead the dive will help you with some of those challenges and help you see a lot of things you might not otherwise notice or be able to identify. Since you only have a limited amount of time to dive Monterey, make the best of it! Here's a good source for Monterey dive boats: www.californiadiveboats.com.
Mike
Disclaimer-I am associated with a charter boat and dive shop.
