Revision 8/22/2009 10:58 PM
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Whalers Cove (Point Lobos)
 Carmel - Monterey, CA |
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Located in Point Lobos State Reserve, Whalers Cove is the most coveted dive location is this area. The highly restricted access of the Park creates an environment teaming with marine life. You must make reservations well in advance to enter, and must register with the gate before diving in.Directions: Drive South on Highway 1 from Carmel, past Monastery beach. You will see the entrance on your right.
The comment about this park not allowing snorkeling is false. I snorkeled with a buddy four times here in July and August of 2009. This may be a great scuba site but it is not a great snorkeling site. Within the cove the water was often murky and the sea life was close to non existent. Outside the cove the visibility opens up but the depth keeps things of interest out of sight for snorkelers. This is the only dive sight I visited in California and it did not live up to the hype I heard about when asking for a good snorkel site. Maybe I am just spoiled from all my Caribbean diving.
Love this place! The dive was very easy. I had never dove here before. We suited up at Whalers cove and headed out. Very easy to navigate this place. The sea life is amazing: harbor seals, sea anemones, rock fish, kelp fish, eels, etc... And the visibility and kelp are Amazing! Important to remember: the park only allows 30 divers a day, reserve early, bring your cert card, and have a buddy, no solos here. And, think warm! We dove 7mm with lots of layers and got one dive in; it was 52 degrees, but so worth it. Brrrr. Friends we met up there dove dry suits, and got one dive in; an up welling of cold from the trench brought more cold water in from the deep. We only saw 1/8 of what is to be seen. A definitely must to dive again!
http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/USA_West/CalN/Whalers_Cove/index.htm