Dive-site story
Set directly along historical Cannery Row, McAbee Beach provides an accessible shore entry into Monterey's kelp forest ecosystem. The sandy entry gives way to rocky outcrops, dense giant kelp, and historic metal pipes and cannery remnants encrusted with marine invertebrates. Divers navigate over gravel patches, rocky reefs, and sand flats that shelter a variety of benthic fish and invertebrates.
Submerged iron pipes and industrial relics covered in colorful anemones and bryozoans
Kelp canopy frequented by harbor seals and sea otters
Macro photography opportunities focusing on diverse nudibranch species among the reef crevices
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 ocean swells and best underwater visibility in Monterey Bay.
Marine life
| Species | Likelihood | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giant Pacific OctopusEnteroctopus dofleini | Common | ||||||||||||
| Harbor SealPhoca vitulina | Common | ||||||||||||
| Spanish Shawl NudibranchFlabellina iodinea | Common | ||||||||||||
| Kelp BassParalabrax clathratus | Common | ||||||||||||
| Bat RayMyliobatis californica | Seasonal |
Marine forecast
