36 THE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® 2026-2027 AT PLAY Diving, Snorkeling The nutrient-rich waters of Monterey Bay make for some of the best diving. On a good day the water is clear and the undulating kelp forests teem with sea life. Bluefish Cove/Whalers Cove Two miles south of Carmel on Highway 1, these gorgeous spots within Point Lobos State Natural Reserve offer easy beach access and a rich abundance of life inside a 750-acre protected underwater park. Reservations are required. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Carmel. (831) 624-8413, parks.ca.gov/pointlobos Carmel River State Beach Divers who venture out past the kelp will discover pinnacles with steep walls that are home to plenty of creatures, from big fish to iridescent nudibranchs. At the intersection of Scenic and Carmelo, Carmel. (831) 649-2836, parks.ca.gov Lovers Point Divers can find easy beach access, plentiful parking and incredible scenery. As urchins have moved in, the kelp forest here has diminished in recent years, but there is still abundant and diverse wildlife. Also a popular swimming and snorkeling spot with lots to see by hugging the rocky coast in either direction. Ocean View Boulevard at 17th Street, Pacific Grove. cityofpacificgrove.gov MBay Freediving Learn the basics of freediving in a two-day lesson that gets you into the ocean and on your way. Advanced courses are available, too, as is gear rental. 225 Cannery Row #27, Monterey. (831) 200-3485, mbayfreediving.com Monastery Beach This is one of the region’s most popular diving spots, and is a good place to meet new diving buddies. Deep water with dramatic drop-offs and severe undertow make this area best for more experienced divers. Opposite the Carmelite Monastery, Highway 1 south of Carmel. parks.ca.gov Monterey Bay Scuba The area’s only full service scuba shop—it has a boat for guided dive charters (as well as private charters). Monterey Bay Scuba rents gear and also teaches courses, from beginner to scuba certification. By appointment. Cannery Row, Monterey. (831) 533-3483, montereybayscuba.com Otter Cove Here divers can find sea otters (of course), seals, rays and an abundance of other sea life out past the kelp forest. The sandy bottom features boulders near shore and large pinnacles about 150 feet out. Ocean View Boulevard and Sea Palm Avenue, Pacific Grove. montereyscubaboard.com San Carlos Beach One of the best spots for new divers is the breakwater at San Carlos Beach. You’ll see forests of kelp, octopuses, anemones, starfish and plentiful otters and sea lions, depending on the season. Coast Guard Pier, Wave and Drake streets, Monterey. monterey.gov GEAR RENTALS Aquarius Dive Shop 2040 Del Monte Ave., Monterey, (831) 375-1933, aquariusdivers.com Beachhopper II Dive Charters 256 Figueroa St. (K-Dock), Monterey (408) 234-8445 MBay Freediving 225 Cannery Row #27, Monterey. (831) 2003485, mbayfreediving.com Monterey Bay Scuba 32 Cannery Row, Monterey (831) 533-3483, montereybayscuba.com Kayaking, Stand-Up Paddle Boarding, Surfing Navigating the waters in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary allows visitors and locals to get up close and personal with one of the world’s most pristine aquatic environments. Note that it is illegal to disturb marine mammals. Prepare for changeable conditions and chilly water—a wetsuit is recommended. Adventures by the Sea 32 Cannery Row, Monterey 299 Cannery Row, Monterey 685 Cannery Row, Monterey 210 Alvarado St., Monterey 624 Ocean View Ave., Pacific Grove (831) 241-1125 1576 Cypress Drive, Pebble Beach. (831) 372-1807 (except as noted), adventuresbythesea.com Alma del Mar 269 Bonifacio Place, Monterey thealmadelmar.org Big Surf (831) 264-8008, bigsurfadventures.com Carmel Surf Lessons (831) 915-4065, carmelsurflessons.com Elkhorn Slough Kayak Connection 2370 Highway 1, Moss Landing (831) 724-5692, kayakconnection.com Monterey Bay Hydrobikes 2370 Highway 1, Moss Landing (831) 238-6764, montereybayhydrobikes.com Monterey Bay Kayaks 693 Del Monte Ave., Monterey, (831) 373-5357 2390 Highway 1, Moss Landing, (800) 724-2473 montereybaykayaks.com On the Beach Surf Shop 693 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey (831) 646-9283, onthebeachsurfshop.com Pacific Grove Adventures 624 Ocean View Blvd. (at Lovers Point), Pacific Grove, (831) 241-1125 The Wahine Project (831) 236-4642, thewahineproject.org Oscar’s Playground DANIEL DREIFUSS
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