36 THE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® 2025-2026 AT PLAY Carmel River State Beach Divers who venture out past the kelp will discover pinnacles with steep walls that are home to plenty of creatures, from big fish to iridescent nudibranchs. At the intersection of Scenic and Carmelo, Carmel. (831) 649-2836, bit.ly/CarmelRiverSB Lovers Point Divers can find easy beach access, plentiful parking and incredible scenery. As urchins have moved in, the kelp forest here has diminished in recent years, but there is still abundant and diverse wildlife. Also a popular swimming and snorkeling spot with lots to see by hugging the rocky coast in either direction. Ocean View Boulevard at 17th Street, Pacific Grove. cityofpacificgrove.org MBay Freediving Learn the basics of freediving in a two-day lesson that gets you into the ocean and on your way. Advanced courses are available, too, as is gear rental. 225 Cannery Row #27, Monterey. (831) 200-3485, mbayfreediving.com Monastery Beach This is one of the region’s most popular diving spots, and is a good place to meet new diving buddies. Deep water with dramatic drop-offs and severe undertow make this area best for more experienced divers. Opposite the Carmelite Monastery, Highway 1 south of Carmel. parks.ca.gov Otter Cove Here divers can find sea otters (of course), seals, rays and an abundance of other sea life out past the kelp forest. The sandy bottom features boulders near shore and large pinnacles about 150 feet out. Ocean View Boulevard and Sea Palm Avenue, Pacific Grove. montereyscubaboard.com San Carlos Beach One of the best spots for new divers is the breakwater at San Carlos Beach. You’ll see forests of kelp, octopuses, anemones, starfish and plentiful otters and sea lions, depending on the season. Coast Guard Pier, Wave and Drake streets, Monterey. montereyscubaboard.com Gear Rentals Aquarius Dive Shop 2040 Del Monte Ave., Monterey, (831) 375-1933, aquariusdivers.com Bamboo Reef Dive Shop 614 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey (831) 372-1685, bambooreef.com Beachhopper II Dive Charters 256 Figueroa St. (K-Dock), Monterey (408) 234-8445 KAYAKING, STAND-UP PADDLE BOARDING, SURFING Navigating the waters in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary allows visitors and locals to get up close and personal with one of the world’s most pristine aquatic environments. Note that it is illegal to disturb marine mammals. Prepare for changeable conditions and chilly water—a wetsuit is recommended. Adventures by the Sea 32 Cannery Row (at Coast Guard Pier), Monterey 299 Cannery Row, Monterey 685 Cannery Row (for launch at McAbee Beach), Monterey 210 Alvarado St., Monterey 624 Ocean View Ave., Pacific Grove (Lovers Point) (831) 372-1807, adventuresbythesea.com Alma del Mar 269 Bonifacio Place, Monterey thealmadelmar.org Big Surf (831) 264-8008, bigsurfadventures.com Carmel Surf Lessons (831) 915-4065, carmelsurflessons.com Elkhorn Slough Kayak Connection 2370 Highway 1, Moss Landing (831) 724-5692, kayakconnection.com Monterey Bay Hydrobikes 2370 Highway 1, Moss Landing (831) 238-6764, montereybayhydrobikes.com Monterey Bay Kayaks 693 Del Monte Ave., Monterey, (831) 373-5357 2390 Highway 1, Moss Landing, (800) 724-2473 montereybaykayaks.com On the Beach Surf Shop 693 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey (831) 646-9283, onthebeachsurfshop.com Pacific Grove Adventures 624 Ocean View Blvd. (at Lovers Point), Pacific Grove, (831) 241-1125 The Wahine Project (831) 236-4642, thewahineproject.org SAILING, FISHING, WHALE WATCHING Whether you’re trying to catch tonight’s dinner or simply basking in the awe of the biggest mammals on the planet, getting out on a boat is thrilling in a marine sanctuary. Blue Ocean Whale Watching 7881 Sandholdt Road, Moss Landing (831) 600-5103, blueoceanwhalewatch.com Chris’ Whale Watching 48 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey (831) 375-5951, chrisswhalewatching.com Discovery Whale Watch 66 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey (831) 372-7064, discoverywhalewatch.com Elkhorn Slough Safari 7881 Moss Landing Road E, Moss Landing (reservations required) (831) 633-5555, elkhornslough.com Pinnacles National Park KAREN LOUTZENHEISER
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