Where's the best vis?

[coreypenrose]

Do yourself a favor and read what Chuck said here a few more times. If you're a newbie diver to Monterey DO NOT go and dive Monastery, either North or South without someone who knows what they’re doing that help you if you get in trouble.

If I understand you, you would like to show your wife some cool sites in Monterey, and, hopefully, give the two of you something you can do together. Well, IMO, here is what you need to do:

1 - http://www.dui-online.com/newsite/newsite.htm or here http://otterbaysuits.com/drysuits.cfm if you’re on a budget- Women are going to be colder in Monterey then men and most wetsuits are cut to fit men. As a result, thermal protection is crucial. Invest in a good drysuit and she’ll actually want to dive the coast with you. You can probably dive a wetsuit and be comfortable – she probably can’t. Most women who dive Monterey regularly go dry.

2 - http://www.divecentral.com/index.html or http://www.montereyexpress.com - Shore diving in Monterey is, by its very nature, hit or miss. Boat diving is a better bet, but more importantly, it’s easier. Diving off a larger boat gives her more room to suit up, less of a surface swim, food, snacks and warm water after the dive and access great sites without having to drag 50 pounds of gear to and from the beach.

Good luck!

 

[HaoleDiver]

There are a number of places you can go in Monterey to get similar conditions to Breakwater with (usually) better visibility. I've had 40 foot viz at Hidden Beach, and its usually free of other divers, so there is no silting. To get there, drive down the street that Monterey Bay Dive Center looks onto until you get to the hotel on the right, there is a railing between the hotel and the warehouses to the right of that, that leads down to a small beach (used by Adventures by the Sea as a kayak launch). Kick out past the kelpline and drop along the backside of it. Low surge, clear waters, gorgeous kelp forests.
Also, try Del Monte beach. Its across from McDonalds, and at times we have 20-30 vis, although there isn't much kelp (sandy bottom) but you can see Rays and what not out there.
Also, at lover, if you kick out past the kelp line, or to the end of it, it usually clears up a lot.

 

[kevincol]

I see that you have a Ikelite 6810. I was curious about your opinions on it.

thx.

 

[CALI68]

One thing that has not been mentioned is that the diving is generally much better in the fall and winter. When the swells are down and things are clicking you can catch amazing dives (even right in the bay). If you can get to Aumentos or Eric's Pinnacle on a good day (by boat) you'll be amazed. Those are accessed by boat. In Carmel, The Pinnacles and the outer reefs at Lobos are world class on a good day(but advanced). I actually dove Eric’s Pinnacle and Deep Hopkins on Sunday and the vis was only 15 to 18' there was a bit of a swell and it really didn't "open up" on either dive. Hopkins deep is gorgeous even when you can barely see (it's about 85' so don't try that one for a while).

The shore diving at Pt. Lobos is very easy and the launch is as easy as it comes but a bit slippery. That is a truly relaxing and beautiful place to dive. The kick out is actually a pleasure...the scenery is just amazing.