Page 192 - California Diving and Surfing

onterey hosts a bio-dense and bio- mals to the area. The best boat diving sites the perfect camouflage for cabezon. It is
are in the Carmel area near Stillwater Cove quite magical and an experience not to be
M diverse ecosystem on the U.S. Pacific
coast This mean Monterey Diving is filled and Point Lobos. When ocean conditions missed.

with opportunities for divers of all skill permit, most local boat operators will make P oint Lobos Wildlife Preserve is a state
levels. San Carlos Beach in Monterey is one the 45 minute run around the point. There park and marine sanctuary. Diving is
of the most-dived beaches in California. It is are of course a number of other dive sites

often used for diving training and certifica- available. regulated and weekends require advanced

tion and is a wonderful place to start your L overs Point & Otter Cove is where the reservations. Weekdays can usually be
Monetray diving adventure. San Carlos is Kelp forest is located along with other scheduled but it is a good idea to plan this
historical for Monterey’s canning past. site well in advance. It understandably at-

T he area is a real wealth in terms of marine plants, these sites are best dived in tracts a lot of dive interest and if you would
marine life, the world-famous Met- winter when the conditions are clearer and like to be assured of a dive, booking time
plant life less abundant so visibility is not is a good idea. Considered one of the best

ridium fields (giant plumose anemone) can too restricted and you can take in the stun- shore dives in the region, Point Lobos is an

be accessed from this beach and sea lions ning beauty of this marine flora and fauna. advanced site that has much more to offer

and harbor seals are common place as the Red coralline algae covers the submerged visitors than just diving.

abundant fish and sea life attract sea mam- rocky substrate around the point, providing