Carmel River North

You can clearly see the kelp beds. The entry is easy on such a calm day, but be careful of the current just beyond the point. Parking is just at the top of the stairs. This is the corner of Ocean View and Scenic Road. Parking is along the street.

I've dove this location a few times now and have had great dives here every time. Like most dive spots in the area, you've got to be selective! My first experience with this site was what we called 'Tahiti Water' since the viz was insane! The worst part of the entry is the climb back up to your vehicle and I guess the surface swim can be a bit lengthy. Our deepest was around 30' with a sandy/ rocky bottom but I've only done this site near the October months. Although there wasn't much sea life (except a harbor seal) the kelp forests were LUSH!!! http://www.flickr.com/photos/taitano/1105449244/in/set-72157594493930134/

I live local so I dive here as much as I can. Sometimes the surge can be bad. The beach is a favorite spot for locals; we were even in some wedding photos fully geared up. Viz is often good here. The reef can get deep around the wash rock. There is a spot in the reef where the rocks create a canyon at about 50 feet. The surge will suck you through and will have a shear drop to about 80 feet, makes you think of being a seal.

One of my favorite dives in Carmel. Spectacular kelp dive with good thick kelp and tons of life. Easy entry and exit. Follow the kelp line out nearly to the point, and watch the currents. I only dive here if swells are under 4-5 feet. This is close to the butterfly house, too. Another great dive.

Great dive with vis. Easily to 30 feet. Sandy/rock bottom then follow the reef out. Steps make going in/coming out easy. Get there early to find a place to park. Looks real good around the point, but didn't go out that far. Overall a great dive with few people around. Great kayak launch, also. Take a picnic lunch and do a few dives here.

I came to Carmel River Beach at what was a bad time. It was soon after a storm kicked up a whole bunch of dust so visibility was poor. However, even then it was clear, this is one of the most amazing dive sites I have ever seen. Once I got a good distance from the shore, in 25-30foot water, blue rockfish showed up by the hundreds. They lived in schools of 30+ individuals. This gave the place a lot of hope for a spear fishing location. The rockfish however were more talented than I, and I was unable to get close to any big ones, so I came home with a pair of 13 inch fish. The invertebrate life on the bottom was amazing, with large patches of red, and orange anenomies. I did not see much when I got near the shore though. I would swim straight out toward the end of the kelp bed, the closer I got to that, the more impressive the diving became.