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IntermediateShore entry

Diving Area

California, United StatesDirections
Open Water suggested5–24 m (15–80 ft) depthShore entry5mm wetsuit typical

Diving Area at a glance

Diving Area is an intermediate shore dive site in California, United States with depths of 4.6–24.4 m (15–80 ft). Typically most favorable Aug · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Giant kelp, Cabezon, and Nudibranchs (dorids, Hermissenda). Recent reports put the water around 19°C (66°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

No window today· next: tomorrow 8:00–19:00 · favorable & moderate

Forecast for this hour · 19:00 · run 9 h ago
1.4 m (4.7 ft)waves — about a meter and a half expected (waves — about five feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 19°C · seasonal avg 16°C ( · Forecast 66°F · seasonal avg 60°F)

Site hazards: Thick giant kelp (entanglement risk on surface swims); long surface swim to the outer cove and Bluefish Cove; depth increases quickly to 80+ ft outside Whalers Cove; kayak/small-boat traffic at the ramp; exposed conditions and current outside the cove mouths; no diving allowed without advance reservation and buddy.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

MonNo window

1.1 m waves · 8 kn wind (3.7 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Tue8:00–15:00 favorable, 15:00–19:00 moderate

1.4 m waves · 10 kn wind (4.7 ft waves · 10 kn wind)

Wed8:00–11:00 moderate, 11:00–16:00 favorable, 16:00–19:00 moderate

1.6 m waves · 5 kn wind (5.3 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Thu8:00–19:00 favorable

1.5 m waves · 4 kn wind (5.0 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

Fri8:00–19:00 moderate

1.6 m waves · 8 kn wind (5.3 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Sat8:00–19:00 favorable

1.2 m waves · 5 kn wind (3.8 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Sun8:00–19:00 favorable

1.2 m waves · 5 kn wind (3.9 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wave and wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 6:59 · Sunrise 7:25 · Sunset 18:17 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 6.3 km from site · updated 26 Oct, 10:23 GMT-7

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Diving Area

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

Loading tide predictions

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Giant kelp, Cabezon, Nudibranchs (dorids, Hermissenda)
Best time: Fall through early winter for the best visibility (often 30-60+ ft); weekdays are easiest for reservations. Avoid large NW swell, which closes out the cove mouth.

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. January, 8% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 13°C (56°F), waves have typically been 3.0 m (9.9 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots
  2. February, 1% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 13°C (55°F), waves have typically been 3.2 m (10.5 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots
  3. March, 4% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 12°C (54°F), waves have typically been 3.0 m (9.9 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  4. April, 19% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 12°C (54°F), waves have typically been 2.3 m (7.7 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  5. May, 14% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 12°C (54°F), waves have typically been 2.3 m (7.5 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  6. June, 18% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 13°C (56°F), waves have typically been 2.1 m (6.9 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  7. July, 56% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 14°C (57°F), waves have typically been 1.6 m (5.4 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots
  8. August, 71% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 14°C (58°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (5.1 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots, historically most favorable
  9. September, 38% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 16°C (61°F), waves have typically been 1.9 m (6.1 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots
  10. October, 22% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 16°C (60°F), waves have typically been 2.3 m (7.6 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots
  11. November, 12% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 14°C (57°F), waves have typically been 2.7 m (8.9 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  12. December, 9% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 14°C (58°F), waves have typically been 2.8 m (9.3 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots

August has typically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life recorded at this site, by month

Recorded observations — evidence of past sightings, not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

  • Citharichthys stigmaeus recorded here Feb (2 records)

    most recent 2014

Newest record here: 2014. Counts are occurrence records near this site from public biodiversity datasets (GBIF), grouped by calendar month across all sampled years. Sightings vary — past records are context, not a prediction.

Fills & rentals nearby

Facts from OpenStreetMap, corrected by the community — listed by distance only. Details change; confirm with the shop.

  • Monterey Bay Scuba11 km (6.5 mi)

    Report a fix

  • Bamboo Reef Scuba Diving Centers11 km (6.7 mi)

    Mo-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa-Su 07:00-18:00 hours from OpenStreetMap — call ahead

    Report a fix

Shop facts come from OpenStreetMap and community corrections, shown nearest first. PickADive lists facts and contacts only — no listing is sponsored or ranked.

Data updated June 2026

Site details

The designated diving area of Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, comprising Whalers Cove and Bluefish Cove south of Carmel — widely regarded as the best diving in the Monterey area. The reserve has been fully protected for decades, so fish are large and unafraid, kelp forests are pristine, and access is capped at ten buddy teams per day via a State Parks reservation system. Entry is an easy concrete boat ramp into sheltered Whalers Cove (15-80 ft), with more dramatic walls and pinnacles in Bluefish Cove reachable by long swim, kayak, or small boat.

reefshorewall

Thick giant kelp (entanglement risk on surface swims); long surface swim to the outer cove and Bluefish Cove; depth increases quickly to 80+ ft outside Whalers Cove; kayak/small-boat traffic at the ramp; exposed conditions and current outside the cove mouths; no diving allowed without advance reservation and buddy.

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