DiveJourneyDiveJourney

Plan + Spots · Destination Guide

Monterey Bay

Kelp forests, cold-water critters, and whale seasons on California's iconic bay

Updated Dec 13, 2025 • 17 sources

View On Map

Signature sites

Featured dive spots for Monterey Bay

Use the map and cards to compare where to dive first.

View On Map
Aumentos Pinnacle dive spot

Aumentos Pinnacle

PinnacleWall

Offshore Monterey pinnacle with granite walls and exposed conditions.

⚓
Visibility8 m
AccessChallenging entry effort
Marine LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesLimited facilities
CrowdVery quiet
CurrentModerate current
SurgeModerate surge
Breakwater Cove dive spot

Breakwater Cove

Reef

Protected Monterey training shore dive with easy entry and busy breakwater life.

🏖️
Visibility5 m
AccessSimple entry
Marine LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesGood facilities
CrowdVery crowded
CurrentNo current
SurgeLight surge
Lovers Point dive spot

Lovers Point

PinnacleReef

Protected Monterey shore dive with sandy entry and rocky ridges.

🏖️
Visibility6 m
AccessSimple entry
Marine LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesGood facilities
CurrentNo current
Metridium Fields dive spot

Metridium Fields

Reef

Monterey shore dive with white anemone-covered reefs beyond San Carlos Beach.

🏖️
Visibility6 m
AccessModerate entry effort
Marine LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesGood facilities
CrowdFew visitors
CurrentNo current
SurgeLight surge
Monastery Beach dive spot

Monastery Beach

Kelp ForestReef

Monastery Beach is Monterey's rugged shore-entry dive.

🏖️
Visibility15 m
AccessDifficult access
Marine LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesBasic facilities
CrowdModerate
CurrentLight current
SurgeHeavy surge
Monterey Bay dive spot

Monterey Bay

Kelp Forest

Monterey Bay cold-water kelp and wildlife dives

🏖️
Visibility6 m
AccessSimple entry
Marine LifeExceptional variety
FacilitiesExcellent facilities
CrowdVery crowded
CurrentLight current
SurgeModerate surge