Some advice needed

[cast]

Hi guys,
I never dove the pacific before.I have a chance to travel to Bay Area the first week of May. I really want to sneak out for a couple dives. How is the water temp like in early May? After reading some posts in this board, it seems to me May is the coldest month to dive in this area. Is it true?
Where is the best spot for kelp forest?do I need to take a boat trip? If by boat, can someone recommend a boat that has good reputation? And does it get tangled pretty bad or what? I will bring some cutting tool anyways. also could anyone recommend a couple classic shore dive spots in Monterey bay in case help trip does not work out?

I know, too many questiones. Thanks a ton in advance.

 

[divenut2001]

Hi guys,
I never dove the pacific before.I have a chance to travel to Bay Area the first week of May. I really want to sneak out for a couple dives. How is the water temp like in early May? After reading some posts in this board, it seems to me May is the coldest month to dive in this area. Is it true?
Where is the best spot for kelp forest?do I need to take a boat trip? If by boat, can someone recommend a boat that has good reputation? And does it get tangled pretty bad or what? I will bring some cutting tool anyways. also could anyone recommend a couple classic shore dive spots in Monterey bay in case help trip does not work out?

I know, too many questiones. Thanks a ton in advance.

Water temp is around 50 degrees. Kelp snaps pretty easy so a knife is carried mainly to cut fishing line or netting should you become entangled in it. The Monterey Express or Cypress Sea are good boats. Breakwater is where most do their first shore dive.

 

[dannobee]

You could try stillwater cove in Carmel if you want that classic kelp forest picture and want to keep it a shore dive. Chuck probably has the phone number to Pebble Beach somewhere and they tend to have some funky rules sometimes.
You want to swim under the surface with kelp. If you're doing a surface swim, you'll find yourself getting nowhere fast because it'll get tangled near your tank neck, regulator, mask, BC, etc. Don't panic, and try to just back up without turning/twisting around. You can bend it over on itself and it'll just break in half, but the best bet is to swim under the surface and use your compass (or surface in a break to get your bearings).

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

Dunno about kelp forest in Stillwater itself. Maybe. You gotta have
a PARKING reservation with the Beach and Tennis Club there (or a
membership, but that's pricey). Reservation number is 831-625-8536

I think the most accessable kelp forest would be Whaler's Cove
at Pt. Lobos. You have to have a reservation on the weekends,
and that weekend is still open. You also MUST have a buddy and
bring your C-card. No buddy or no C-card? No dive.
http://pt-lobos.parks.state.ca.us/scuba/Calender.html

Late April early May is usually the coldest water of the year, often
we see 44F, but we've had El Nino conditions, so 46-50F this year
I'd guess.

 

[cast]

Thanks a lot!
Sounds a little more complicated than I expected. And I can manage only do one dive if water temp <50 because I dive wet. Anyway, I will do some homework and give a try.