Dive-site story
Monastery Beach sits on the southern curve of Carmel Bay, offering shore access directly into the head of the Carmel Submarine Canyon. Coarse, steep granitic sands drop precipitously into deep water, flanked by rocky points with thick giant kelp canopies on both the north and south ends. Submerged granite walls and wash rocks give way to sand slopes and canyon trenches where deep-water upwellings fuel diverse marine ecosystems.
Steep canyon topography plunging into deep ocean waters close to the shoreline
Thick giant kelp canopies sheltering lingcod, cabezon, and rockfish schools
Frequent visits from southern sea otters and harbor seals around the rocky margins
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 optimal underwater visibility.
Marine life
| Species | Likelihood | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giant Pacific OctopusEnteroctopus dofleini | Seasonal | ||||||||||||
| LingcodOphiodon elongatus | Common | ||||||||||||
| Blue RockfishSebastes mystinus | Common | ||||||||||||
| CabezonScorpaenichthys marmoratus | Common | ||||||||||||
| Southern Sea OtterEnhydra lutris nereis | Common | ||||||||||||
| Opalescent NudibranchHermissenda opalescens | Common |
Marine forecast
