Would appreciate suggestions

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Michelle Grippo

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Hello, so glad there is this forum!!
I'm recently certified Padi in August 2019. Im 55 years old and got certified with my 13 yo son. My husband had been certified but refreshed in August as well. So I am planning a vacation to California for next August we would like to dive in Monterey Bay. I definitely want guided dives because we lack experience. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
 
Two shops are walking distance to the water. Breakwater Scuba, next to the Breakwater. Bamboo Reef, next to MacAbee Beach. Pull up google maps for both to see. Both shops and beaches would be good intro sites. They are the standard student sites, with still lots to see, particularly sea lions and harbor seals at the breakwater. Aquarious Dive shop is also a fine shop in the area and does tours, but is a mile or so from the water, so logistics are not as easy.
You could do boat as well, though the sites are deeper which would be an issue with a junior diver.

Your other posts mentioned Catalina Island. You might take a day trip boat out of Long Beach for that, or a ferry to the island and then dive in the park there off the Casino. Depends on which way you want. Again, boat may be harder with a junior. The park is supposed to be nice. The water down there is warmer than up here. I'm sure there are some socal mainland beach dives, but I do not know that area.

Some write ups of dive sites
Monterey County Archives - California Diving News
Pacific Scuba Divers | Dive Maps
Monterey Dive Sites
San Francisco Reef Divers - Monterey Dive Sites

Welcome to the board.
 
If you don’t have cold water experience, going with a guide is a great idea. There are three dive shops in town, Aquarius, Breakwater, and Bamboo Reef. All can set you up with gear and a guide, and all are good.

Thank you! I will research and make some calls.
 
Two shops are walking distance to the water. Breakwater Scuba, next to the Breakwater. Bamboo Reef, next to MacAbee Beach. Pull up google maps for both to see. Both shops and beaches would be good intro sites. They are the standard student sites, with still lots to see, particularly sea lions and harbor seals at the breakwater. Aquarious Dive shop is also a fine shop in the area and does tours, but is a mile or so from the water, so logistics are not as easy.
You could do boat as well, though the sites are deeper which would be an issue with a junior diver.

Your other posts mentioned Catalina Island. You might take a day trip boat out of Long Beach for that, or a ferry to the island and then dive in the park there off the Casino. Depends on which way you want. Again, boat may be harder with a junior. The park is supposed to be nice. The water down there is warmer than up here. I'm sure there are some socal mainland beach dives, but I do not know that area.

Some write ups of dive sites
Monterey County Archives - California Diving News
Pacific Scuba Divers | Dive Maps
Monterey Dive Sites
San Francisco Reef Divers - Monterey Dive Sites

Welcome to the board.
 
Thanks, great info, I had not thought of my son as I junior diver so that's important. Thanks also for the articles.
 
I highly recommend the Beachhopper II Dive Charters, Beachhopper II. Captain Maryjo and crew were amazing. The boat dive I took with them was great, you get better visibility and I saw a lot more wildlife than the shore dives I was used to. My wife and I got certified in Monterey and it can definitely get very low vis... Make sure you're wearing at least a 7mm wet with vest over or dry suit. Water temp is low 50's right now. Have fun!
 
I highly recommend the Beachhopper II Dive Charters, Beachhopper II. Captain Maryjo and crew were amazing. The boat dive I took with them was great, you get better visibility and I saw a lot more wildlife than the shore dives I was used to. My wife and I got certified in Monterey and it can definitely get very low vis... Make sure you're wearing at least a 7mm wet with vest over or dry suit. Water temp is low 50's right now. Have fun!

Thanks, the site was a little hard to navigate but really looks reasonably priced and I like the 2 hours. As far as Wet suit mine is 5mm and so I think rather than packing we may rent, we have to rent everything else except mask snorkel and fins anyway,, It will be in August so I hope not 50's. ...lol that is way too cold.
 
I've heard nothing but great things about diving from the Beachhopper II but their website is the worst I've encountered. You can't view the schedule unless you sign up.
 
It will be in August so I hope not 50's. ...lol that is way too cold.

Expect a little warmer but not much... August is usually one of the warmest months of the year as far as air temp though so you won't freeze as much getting out of the water. On my excursion it was 37 in the morning and I regretted not spending the extra dough to rent the dry suit
 

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