Things to do / Travel Guide
The waters of the Pacific Ocean right off the central California coast provide great opportunities for diving. Practically all the cities and towns along the coast have dive operators that provide training courses and offer certification. Various guided diving tours of the area are also available, particularly around the Monterey Bay area. Prices range start at no less than $150 for a brief training course, where you will receive the minimum-required certification for legally sanctioned diving in California. Equipment rentals generally range from $70 to $90, depending on the number of air tanks.
Scuba Diving in Monterey, California
Monterey Bay is a great place to dive. The waters around this area are teeming with sea kelp forests and are home to an incredibly diverse marine ecosystem. Don't be surprised if from the boat you also run into sea mammals such as whales, sea otters, and sea lions. Keep in mind, however, that kelp is easy to swim into but a real challenge to swim out of; it's probably best that you admire the underwater sea kelp forests from afar. Many diving outfitters in Monterey Bay are located along Cannery Row and they offer rentals on equipment for prices around $70 and private guided diving tours led by an experienced diving professional who can guide you along the waters off the coast for around $60-$90 per person.
Scuba Diving in Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz, which is located on the north side of the Monterey Peninsula, is another place in the region that often lures scuba divers. At the wharf in Santa Cruz, diving trips out to sea can be taken for competitive prices (about $50-60 per person) and can also include lessons or a personal guide. About 20 miles up the Pacific Coast Highway (California Highway 1) from Santa Cruz, sitting on the north side of Monterey Bay, is Greyhound Rock. Greyhound Rock is a huge beach cove that remains largely unvisited but it's a fantastic place to go diving. While diving in the waters around Greyhound Rock, you might see crabs, sponges, large sea urchins, big green anemones, and abalone. Keep in mind that visibility is occasionally the “wild card” at Greyhound Rock, ranging from clear to green.
Scuba Diving in Big Sur, California
Another popular spot for diving is along the 90-mile stretch of coastline known as Big Sur. Although there is no “town” per se in Big Sur, there is “Big Sur Village,” and there are some dive operators that can be found in that area. Pfeiffer Beach, for instance, is very popular for just about anything related to the ocean, including diving. At different times during the year, various kinds of wildlife, both above and under the water can be seen, from sea otters and lions to the occasional whale out frolicking in the ocean. Another area that is popular for diving is Jade Cove. The gem of Jade Cove is that this area does have natural bits of jade which can be picked up by hand while strolling along the seashore, hence the name.
Scuba Diving Spots in San Francisco Bay Area, Carmel, Napa Valley, Central California Coast
Scuba-Diving
Point Lobos State Reserve Beach - California
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