California has three beautiful diving regions.

The North coast region is renowned for lush, moist forests of the world's tallest trees, coastal bluffs, secluded coves and wildlife areas. From the pristine beaches and coves of Carmel by the Sea and Monterey Bay, the coastline includes numerous dive locations North of San Francisco, all the way to Mendocino and Crescent City. Each site offers its unique underwater topography and associated marine life.

The California mid region includes diving locations from South of Pt. Lobos State Park (Carmel by the Sea) to Laguna Beach. This long stretch of beautiful beaches can be categorized as open-water diving, with some protected coves and inlets. Capitalizing on optimal weather as well as observing tides and current conditions are crucial to an enjoyable dive experience.

The California South listings include the greater San Diego area (Pt. Loma North to La Jolla) continuing up through Orange County to Laguna Beach. Each ShoreDiving location has unique conditions -- and beauty!

As always, check with your local resources for exact local conditions for the ultimate safe and rewarding dive experience.

California

Monterey County

Divers will travel far and wide to find the best diving. But those who live in the United States have plenty of great diving on their doorstep as well, with plentiful access to the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. From warm-water reefs to temperate seas, here are some of the top places to scuba dive in the United States.

United States

A lot if kelp, cannery artifacts. Can be surgy at times. A lot of sea lion interaction; invertebrates.



Monterey

Hidden Beach

Cannery Park (also called San Carlos Beach) is just West of the Breakwater dive site.  This is a nice place for a second dive, and to get away from the crowd at Breakwater.  The dive area is mainly sandy, so expect to see the occasional Halibut.

In Monterey, heading West on Del Monte, bear right onto Lighthouse Ave, then bear right onto Foam St.  Make a right onto Cannery Row.

Cannery Park

McAbee is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in USA, California, Monterrey which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

McAbee

In many areas the rock blocks are covered with a lush carpet of strawberry anemones, which make interesting subjects for macro photography. Numerous fish eating anemones with their bright red bases, as well as the large green anemones are common near the end of the breakwater, along with some mighty big sea stars. One of the most beautiful creatures found here are the nudibranchs. Members of the dorid family are very common and can be seen grazing on sponges. This group of nudibranchs includes the bright yellow lemon nudibranch, the white-and-black ringed dorid, and the orange-spots-on-white clown nudibranch. The generally more colorful and ostentatious group, the aeolids, are also quite common here including the thick-horned aeolid.

One of the biggest attractions that the Breakwater has to offer is its large colony of California sea lions. The last half of the breakwater is not accessible to people and is a favorite haul-out of these large and noisy mammals. Their barking can be heard for some distance both above and below the water. Divers can get a close up look of the herd as the sea lions sun themselves and an even closer look underwater. While normally shy when on land, the sea lions are at home in the water and lose much of their fear of people. The sea lions will normally dive down and investigate divers. They sometimes charge a diver at full speed, only to veer off at the moment before contact. They also seem to have great fun barking underwater, leaving a belch of bubbles in their wake.

At the base of the breakwater stretches a sand bottom. The sand is dotted with sea pens and white, orange and purple tube-dwelling anemones as well as aggregating anemones. Living among the tube-dwelling anemones can be found the largest California nudibranch—the rainbow nudibranch. These dendronotids are excellent swimmers and feed on, and lay eggs, on the tube-dwelling anemones. 

Keep a keen eye for octopuses among the anemones as well. These are most easily found at night, but may be found during daylight by looking under drifting kelp fronds. No matter if the seas are big or flat, you can almost always have a fun dive at the Breakwater.

Dive along the outside of the Coast Guard pier in Monterey.

Breakwater is also known as Coast Guard Pier.

Breakwater

Breakwater Cove is another popular dive site.  Parking can be limited, so get there early.  This is a wonderful place to get a glimpse of sea lions, octopus, and other marine creatures.  The best diving is on the outer side of breakwater.  Beware of kelp and boats!

In Monterey, heading West on Del Monte, bear right onto Lighthouse Ave, then bear right onto Foam St.  Make a right onto Cannery Row.

Breakwater Cove

McAbee Beach can be used by beginners and experts, alike.  The easy entry leads to a large kelp bed just a minute off shore.  Several old pipelines create an artificial reef, making this a complete site for marine viewers!

In Monterey, heading West on Del Monte, bear right onto Lighthouse Ave, then bear right onto Foam St.  Make a right onto Hoffman Ave.  At the intersection of Cannery Row, you'll see the trail head.

McAbee Beach





Lover's Point is also known as Lovers Point.

Lover's Point

Monterey State Beach (also called Del Monte, named after the adjacent road) is a perfect place for new divers.  Restrooms, showers, and picnic areas make this a great place to spend the day.  You may want to dive this site on a weekday, or arrive very early on a weekend.  The parking can be almost impossible otherwise.  Be prepared to spot octopus and flounder!

From Highway 1 in Monterey, take the Camino Aguajito exit North.  You'll see the Park at the intersection of Del Monte Ave.

Monterey State Beach

Coral Street can be a technical dive if the conditions aren't just right.  The kelp growth in August and September can be daunting, and the currents can catch you by surprise.  Plan this dive with a dive shop, and take a buddy with you who has been here before.  Do take your camera, as the macro life is spectacular! Entry can be tricky at low tide, with exposed shallow rocks and abundance of kelp and sea grasses. Once in deeper water you will find a large kelp forest fringing sand channels and walls and pinnacles. Look for remnants of John Denver's airplane.

In Monterey, heading West on Del Monte, bear right onto Lighthouse Ave, then bear right onto Foam St.  Make a right onto David Ave, then a left onto Ocean View Blvd.  Continue past Lover's Point Park, and about 1/2 mile beyond, you'll find the Ocean View and  Coral Street intersection.

Coral Street Beach

This site is as close to Gorilla diving as you get in Monterey.  Rocky entry, ocean currents, kelp beds, surf and breakers are your obstacles.  Do not dive unless you have ideal conditions.  Double check your dive plan with a local dive shop or guide.  Once you've navigated the gauntlet, you'll be rewarded with nudibranches, starfish, anemones, and a variety of fish life.

In Monterey, heading West on Del Monte, bear right onto Lighthouse Ave, then bear right onto Foam St.  Make a right onto David Ave, then a left onto Ocean View Blvd.  Continue past Lover's Point Park, and about 1 mile beyond, past Asilomar Blvd, you'll see the water treatment plant on your left and the beach on your right.

Point Pinos (Sewer Plant Beach)

"Eric's Pinnacle" begins at -20m and goes up to -10m. Great for marine life - crabs, anemones, invertebrates etc. A nice  place to dive for beginners and advanced divers.

By boat from Monterey Marina

Eric's Pinnacle

Cannery Row Aquatics is a scuba dive shop based in Monterey, United States. They are a PADI certified dive shopand offer a variety of dive and snorkel related services, gear, and guided tours.

Cannery Row Aquatics

Monterey Bay Scuba is a scuba dive shop based in Monterey, United States. They are a PADI certified dive shopand offer a variety of dive and snorkel related services, gear, and guided tours.

Monterey Bay Scuba

Dive Central is a scuba dive shop based in Monterey, United States. They are a PADI certified dive shopand offer a variety of dive and snorkel related services, gear, and guided tours.

Dive Central

Aquarius Dive Shop is a scuba dive shop based in Monterey, United States. They are a PADI certified dive shopand offer a variety of dive and snorkel related services, gear, and guided tours.

Aquarius Dive Shop

Nelson Diving Center, LLC is a scuba dive shop based in Monterey, United States. They are a PADI certified dive shopand offer a variety of dive and snorkel related services, gear, and guided tours.

Nelson Diving Center, LLC

Aqua Safaris has been THE go-to dive center on the central coast for 25+ years.  We offer education from open water thru assistant instructor, full service, rentals, equipment sales, local and distance dive travel, and dive tours of our Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary.  We are an eco-active dive center, 100% AWARE and associated with Reef Check California.  We have close ties to, and actively service the university and research activities around Monterey Bay.  

Aqua Safaris

Adventure Sports Unlimited is a scuba dive shop based in Santa Cruz, United States. They are a PADI certified dive shopand offer a variety of dive and snorkel related services, gear, and guided tours.

Adventure Sports Unlimited

California Ocean Adventures is a scuba dive shop based in Santa Cruz, United States. They are a PADI certified dive shopand offer a variety of dive and snorkel related services, gear, and guided tours.

California Ocean Adventures

Come discover the underwater world with Any Water Sports! We've been introducing people just like you to the wonders of breathing underwater since 1984, and we still find scuba diving to be one of the most exciting activities on the planet. Everyone on our staff is a diver and is enthusiastic about the sport. We offer opportunities to dive locally and get to know the incredible underwater treasure in our own back yard: Monterey, and we also host trips to amazing dive locations all over the world. Come visit our website and Facebook page, or come by and visit our store.

Any Water Sports, Inc.

We are a PADI 5-Star Facility which focuses on having the best dive training available to our customers. We are the only shop in the area which sponsors free boat diving to our club members.  

Hidden Beach

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Hidden Beach