Explore the coastal waters from San Francisco to Monterey Bay and the Channel Islands with tours, fun dives and charters. Swim near schools of California barracudas, search out sole buried in the sand and discover a colorful array of sea stars and urchins clinging to underwater rocks and ledges.
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary consists of approximately 276 miles of shoreline and more than 5,000 miles of ocean. Popular dive spots include the Breakwater in Monterey and Whaler's Cove in Point Lobos. Average visibility is between 20 and 30 feet, providing the opportunity to view abalone, rockfish and senoritas beneath kelp forest canopies. The Coast Guard-certified Beachhopper II offers dive excursions to Point Lobos from Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey.
Channel Islands National Park
The Channel Islands National Park comprises five islands--Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, San Miguel and Santa Rosa. With usual visibility of more than 50 feet, you can uncover the diverse marine life of kelp forests, sea caves and coves. Based in Santa Clara, PADI-certified divers at the Aquatic Discovery Scuba Center offer live-aboard, three-day dive trips as well as open water charters.
Fun Dives and Charters
The Bamboo Reef Diving Center is an SSI platinum training facility and has provided fun dives from Mendocino to Monterey Bay since 1961. Based in San Francisco, novice and expert divers alike can discover the diverse aquatic life along the Sonoma coast. Pinnacles Dive Center in Novato and Andrea's Aquatics in San Francisco are accredited PADI five-star training facilities in operation since 1974. They offer dive charters to Monterey Bay and the Channel Islands.
Scuba Gear Essentials
Select a dive suit that provides adequate protection from underwater elements, such as spiny sea urchins and barnacles, in addition to sustaining your body temperature. Regulators with a low-pressure inflator hose and submersible pressure gauge allow you to intake air from your tank as you descend. Weight belts assist you in staying down on deep dives and a dive computer tracks your decompression needs. A properly fitted mask, as opposed to goggles, is of prime importance, as pressure increases the deeper you submerge. The mask should also provide clear visibility. Fins should offer a good power-to-effort ratio that matches your kicking style.
Considerations
If you're using your own equipment, have it serviced to ensure everything is functioning correctly and that tanks are completely filled. Always dive with a buddy whom you are confident will be capable of assisting you and whom you can help if the need arises. Inform the guide or dive leader if you're unaccompanied and they can usually provide you with a partner. If you feel uncomfortable or anxious at any time during the dive, signal to the guide that you want to return to the surface.
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