Point Lobos State Reserve, Carmel Bay
Point Lobos State Reserve is a jewel in the Central Coast. It is somewhat protected from northerly swells, and southern swells usually leave the sites in the park very diveable. The park itself sits near a finger of the deep water Carmel canyon. Consequently, cold clear water is frequently flushed into the mouth of Whaler's Cove yielding great visibility. I have seen viz upwards of 80 feet when Monterey Bay is reporting 3-5 feet.
This is also the premier spot for technical diving. Several hundred yards off-shore can get you deep very quickly. The nutrient rich waters provide a wealth of food, so the sites are teaming with life. It is also a strict no take zone, so it is one of your only chances to see what the underwater of Carmel Bay looked like years ago.
Diving is by a reservation system that controls the number of divers in the park, and the buddy system is strictly enforced. Small boats can be launched from Whaler's Cove.
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Whaler's Cove in Point Lobos State Reserve |
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Hermissenda and Friend |
Striped Ronquil |
Vermillion Rockfish |
Trio of Shrimp |
Copper Rockfish |
Black Rockfish |
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Staring Gopher |
Not-quite Male Sheephead |
Deenie Descending on Middle Reef |
Snubnose Sculpins |
Kelp Forest |
Egg Yolk Jelly |
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Jelly in the Canopy |
Pair of Hermissendas |
Ling on a Ledge |
Comb Jelly |
Black&Yellow in Cave |
Jellyfish Tenticles |