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Jumping in from Monterey Bay

Thread Status: Hello , There was no answer in this thread for more than 60 days.
It can take a long time to get an up-to-date response or contact with relevant users.

flowwithstyle

New Member
Jan 18, 2010
4
0
0
Hello Everyone,
My wife and I are just about to start free diving here in Monterey Bay in the up coming few weeks. We both use mono fins (her's actually fits inside of her wetsuit....check out Otter Bay Wetsuits to see this Mermaid suit) and are not really sure where to go. We have free dove in various places across the world, but this will be our first go at cold water free diving....should be an adventure. Does anyone know of good spots to go?
 
Welcome from Texas! I'd pick a spot with a nearby electrical outlet--can't get the suit on when covered with goosebumps. :duh
 
Fortunatly I have plenty of experience with the wetsuit aspect from surfing here for some time. Just don't have a clue where there is good clarity for diving in Santa Cruz.
 
Someone here will clue you in to some good spots. Good giving community. Try searching the site name here (on search) and PMing some that pops up. Okay yall in Cal let's step up here.
 
Welcome Flowwithstyle - you should definitely check out what we locally call monastery - there is a great wall on the north side of the cove. it's official name is Carmel River State Beach.

Carmel River SB

south side is nice but not as much depth - max 55 fsw

just know that the beach has a super steep incline and if the swell is big it is very hard to get out.

if you spear make sure you know the regs and areas - get more info here:

California Department of Fish & Game, Marine Life Protection Act Initiative

send me a PM and i will give you some other lists to join and get info from.

cheers,

kp
 
Thanks for the help Kelp Princess. My wife and I were down at Carmel River State Beach today (just looking):). The parking lot is on the north end. So are you saying to stay to the right as you enter the water? Their was huge swell out there today, Carmel beach was shut down completly and I can see how Monastery could be tricky during a swell. Thanks for the tips. Oh, and I'm really not that into luring ol whitey with wiggling bloody fish, so no spearing in our future.
 
what i suggest is that you try the site when the waves that break are "ankle biters" so as to not have any entry or exit issues.

if you are looking out into the ocean - entering to the right will take you to the wall.

entering to the left side takes you to the the shallower rocky reef.

enjoy....:)

kp
 
Its good to see more freedivers in the area. this time of year there isnt many places that are calm enough to dive...especially right now...were getting hit by 20-30ft swells. I would recommend Stillwater cove in pebble beach or Otter cove in PG.

shoot me a PM and maybe we can get together...id love to show you around
 
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