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Monterey Bay Marine Life & Wildlife Guide

Wildlife · 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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Wildlife In Monterey Bay

Browse the full species list linked to approved dive spots in Monterey Bay.

Photo of Seal

Seal

7 linked spots

Photo of Nudibranch

molluscs

Nudibranch

6 linked spots

crab on rock

Crab

5 linked spots

Photo of Sea Lion

Sea Lion

5 linked spots

Photo of Octopus

Octopus

3 linked spots

Photo of Shrimp

Shrimp

3 linked spots

Photo of Wolf Eel

saltwater-fishes

Wolf Eel

Anarrhichthys ocellatus

3 linked spots

Photo of Eel

saltwater-fishes

Eel

1 linked spots

a large group of sea lions on the beach

Fur Seal

1 linked spots

Photo of Grouper/Basslets

saltwater-fishes

Grouper/Basslets

1 linked spots

Lion's mane jellyfish ( Cyanea capillata ) in Gullmarn fjord at Sämstad, Lysekil Municipality, Sweden. This specimen is about 10–12 cm (3.9–4.7 in) in diameter and the tentacles are about 60–80 cm (24–31 in) long. It is photographed from a jetty. The color of the background is made up from algae on

Lion’s Mane Jellyfish

Cyanea capillata

1 linked spots

Photo of Skate Fish

Skate Fish

1 linked spots

Photo of Squid

Squid

1 linked spots

green and black fish in body of water

Stingrays

1 linked spots