How deep is Monastery Beach South (South Monastery)?

Monastery Beach South (South Monastery) has a depth range of 3–39.6 metres (10–130 feet). Check the dive site page for current conditions and any depth-specific guidance before planning your dive.

Can beginners dive Monastery Beach South (South Monastery)?

Monastery Beach South (South Monastery) is rated as advanced difficulty, which may not suit new divers. A Advanced Open Water with California surf-entry experience certification or equivalent is suggested. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

When is the best time to dive Monastery Beach South (South Monastery)?

The best time to dive Monastery Beach South (South Monastery) is typically Flat fall days with no west/southwest swell. Conditions vary, so check the latest reports and forecasts on the dive site page before your trip.

What will I see at Monastery Beach South (South Monastery)?

Divers at Monastery Beach South (South Monastery) in United States commonly report sightings of Giant kelp, Blue rockfish, Vermilion rockfish, Sea otter, and California hydrocoral. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

Map of Monastery Beach South (South Monastery)

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AdvancedShore entry

Monastery Beach South (South Monastery)

California, United States

AOW suggested3–40 m depthShore entry7mm or semi-dry + hood typical

Monastery Beach South (South Monastery) at a glance

Monastery Beach South (South Monastery) is a advanced shore dive site in California, United States with depths of 3–39.6 m (10–130 ft). Typically most favorable Aug · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Giant kelp, Blue rockfish, and Vermilion rockfish. Recent reports put the water around 14°C (57°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 2h ago

1.4 mwaves — about a meter and a half expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 14°C · seasonal avg 14°C

Site hazards: Same deadly plunging shorebreak and undertow as the rest of Monastery Beach; steep unstable sand; canyon drop-off close to shore invites accidental deep excursions; surge in the rocky shallows

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Sun

Sun7:00–21:00

Mon7:00–21:00

Tue7:00–17:00

Wed—

Thu—

Fri7:00–21:00

Sat—

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:40 · Sunrise 6:09 · Sunset 20:18

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 5.2 km from site · graded 2h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

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.

What Divers Say

Known for: Giant kelp, Blue rockfish, Vermilion rockfish

Best time: Flat fall days with no west/southwest swell

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.

Jan8%13°C3.0 m
Feb1%13°C3.2 m
Mar4%12°C3.0 m
Apr19%12°C2.3 m
May14%12°C2.3 m
Jun18%13°C2.1 m
Jul56%14°C1.6 m
Aug71%14°C1.5 m
Sep38%16°C1.9 m
Oct22%16°C2.3 m
Nov12%14°C2.7 m
Dec9%14°C2.8 m

August hastypically 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 seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Giant kelpCommonly seen
Blue rockfishCommonly seen
Vermilion rockfishCommonly seen
Sea otterCommonly seen
California hydrocoralOccasionally seen
Rainbow nudibranchOccasionally seen
Harbor sealCommonly seen

Fills & rentals nearby

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

Monterey Bay Scuba10.4 km
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Bamboo Reef Scuba Diving Centers10.8 km
Mo-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa-Su 07:00-18:00 hours from OpenStreetMap — call ahead
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Shop facts come from OpenStreetMap and community corrections, shown nearest first. PickADive lists facts and contacts only — no listing is sponsored or ranked.

Site details

The southern curl of Monastery Beach, where the shoreline hooks so divers can enter almost facing north with slightly more protection than the rest of the beach. Rocky reef and a dense kelp forest border the Carmel submarine canyon, with spectacular walls and deep water close to shore. The same lethal shorebreak and undertow as North Monastery apply — this is an advanced site that has claimed many lives and must only be dived on very calm days.

reefshorewall

Same deadly plunging shorebreak and undertow as the rest of Monastery Beach; steep unstable sand; canyon drop-off close to shore invites accidental deep excursions; surge in the rocky shallows

Reviews

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