Dive-site story
Located at the mouth of Carmel Valley, Carmel River State Beach features an expansive sandy sweep flanked by coastal kelp and rocky outcroppings. Entering from the sand requires timing your kick through shorebreak, but underwater the sandy bottom quickly yields to granite ridges and dense giant kelp canopies where local marine life shelters from open ocean swell.
Extensive giant kelp forests hugging the northern and southern granite margins
Expansive sandy flats frequented by bottom-dwelling rays and flatfish
Less crowded entry than neighboring Monastery Beach
Location
Use the map to plan with your operator and confirm the exact entry point on the day.
Seasonality
Late summer and autumn generally provide the calmest seas and best horizontal visibility before winter storm systems roll in.
Marine life
| Species | Likelihood | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giant KelpMacrocystis pyrifera | Common | ||||||||||||
| Bat RayMyliobatis californica | Common | ||||||||||||
| Blue RockfishSebastes mystinus | Common | ||||||||||||
| CabezonScorpaenichthys marmoratus | Common | ||||||||||||
| Harbor SealPhoca vitulina | Seasonal | ||||||||||||
| Leopard SharkTriakis semifasciata | Seasonal |
Marine forecast
