Sources · Destination Guide
Monterey Bay
Kelp forests, cold-water critters, and whale seasons on California's iconic bay
Updated Dec 13, 2025 • 17 sources
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Research Sources
Destination Guide Sources For Monterey Bay
Reference links used to build and maintain this guide.
17 sources • Updated Dec 13, 2025
Written by DiveJourney. Built from public sources and local operator knowledge. Last updated Dec 13, 2025.
- Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary: Regulations and Boundaries - Sanctuary size, boundaries, and key federal regulations (including wildlife protection and prohibited activities).
- Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary: Weather and Ocean Conditions - Planning resources including NWS marine forecast link, NOAA buoys, and county beach water quality hotlines.
- NOAA Fisheries: Marine Life Viewing Guidelines - Recommended viewing distances and general responsible wildlife viewing guidance under MMPA and ESA.
- California State Parks: Point Lobos SCUBA Diving - Reservations, fees, limits, and rules for scuba, freediving, and snorkeling at Point Lobos.
- California State Parks: Carmel River State Beach - Safety warnings associated with Monastery Beach and the Carmel River State Beach area.
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife: Point Lobos MPA - MPA designation and take rules for Point Lobos and adjacent protected areas.
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife: Pacific Grove Marine Gardens SMCA - Protected area context around Pacific Grove shore sites.
- City of Monterey: San Carlos Beach access notice - Example of seasonal or temporary access restrictions related to wildlife at San Carlos Beach.
- NOAA NCEI: Coastal Water Temperature Guide (Monterey station) - Recent and average water temperature data used for planning ranges.
- See Monterey: Whale watching tips at a glance - Seasonality guidance for gray, humpback, blue, and killer whale sightings in Monterey Bay.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium: Market squid - Background on market squid and spawning behavior used for encounter timing.
- Montage Health: Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine Clinic - Local hyperbaric medicine clinic contact and location details for planning.
- Monterey Regional Airport: Airlines - Primary airlines serving MRY.
- Monterey Regional Airport: Ground Transportation - Arrival and transport options from MRY.
- TSA: Small Compressed Gas Cartridges - Official TSA guidance used as a reference point for traveling with compressed gas items and inspection requirements.
- TSA: Knives - Checked-bag guidance for knives and sharp items relevant to dive tools.
- Photo credit: Guillaume Merle