My husband is not a water person, and though he made one valiant try at diving, he has decided that it’s not for him.
Anyone out there interested in diving the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary with me? I’d love to do it, but am woefully short a dive buddy.
Also, has anyone out there ever done Monterey Bay? I’ve never done any cold water diving, and am a bit apprehensive about the kelp forests. Any advice out there?
A woman needs four animals in her life: A mink in the closet, a Jaguar in the garage, a tiger in the bedroom, and an ass to pay for it all.
—Zsa Zsa Gabor
Talk about cold water diving. I usually drink plenty of coffee before going down, so as to have plenty of pee to keep warm. One of my instructors can get it all the way up to his armpits. This is what is necessary to keep warm in Monterey Bay. But it is worth it! Very beautiful. Lover’s is okay, the vis can be iffy, but there’s a great chowder shack right there for afterwards. The beach right next to El Torito on cannery row ain’t bad. I can’t remember the other one, but it’s by the coast guard pier. There’s a good rental shop on Foam Ave next to Payless. They should have the scoop. Decent prices on rentals. You’ll definitely want at least a 7mil suit. Some of the skinnier people I’ve gone with get really cold even with that. So think about a cat suit underneath. Or a 7mil longjohn with a 7mil jacket, so you have double thickness over your torso. I would not hesitate to recommend that you endure the cold. Once you get moving it isn’t so bad. It’s been awhile since I went, perhaps you could talk me into it.
-Dave
“Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.”
-Albert Einstein
A woman needs four animals in her life: A mink in the closet, a Jaguar in the garage, a tiger in the bedroom, and an ass to pay for it all.
—Zsa Zsa Gabor
I didn’t realize it was that cold. Sounds like one should almost opt for a drysuit.
Thanks for the info…I don’t know if I’m so interested anymore.
A woman needs four animals in her life: A mink in the closet, a Jaguar in the garage, a tiger in the bedroom, and an ass to pay for it all.
—Zsa Zsa Gabor
Cold water diving! Monterey Bay? PLEASE. You’re looking at the post of a chick who did her check-out dive on November 11 in LAKE CHAMPLAIN. There was a foot of snow on the ground. Of course, I was in a dry suit, but none-the-less.
If you’re really worried, get dry suit certified. I was much less miserable than the people who went with wet suits. They’re hella expensive to rent, but if you are able to stay in the water because you’re not freezing, it may be worth it. If you don’t want to go dry suit, ask them what thickness neoprene you should be driving with and rent it. Farmer Johns, a Chicken Hood, the whole nine yards.
The kelp beds are supposed to be amazing, I’d be your dive buddy if I wasn’t 3000 miles away!
You got me beat, but barely! I did my open water certification dive in mid October in a lake in Michigan. Visibility all of 12 inches, about four feet of silt on the bottom. I actually got my regulator hose caught on a submerged log. SUCKED!!!
Thank for the advice, and hey, if you’re ever in the Bay Area, let’s do a dive!
A woman needs four animals in her life: A mink in the closet, a Jaguar in the garage, a tiger in the bedroom, and an ass to pay for it all.
—Zsa Zsa Gabor
Sue, I took my certification test in the Monterey Bay! When I had to take off my mask underwater, the cold water made me start to hyperventilate and I began to float away. Hilarity!
Seriously, though, it’s a great spot to dive. I saw sharks, otters, eels and octopii. The rocks and kelp are beautiful (have a knife handy, you can get tangled in the kelp - it sways with the current).
If I still lived there I would go with you in a second. If you can’t find anyone, talk to the folks at the dive shops. They usually have the means to hook you up with a diving buddy.
All my diving has been Caribbean and a few freshwater Florida springs and sinkholes.
All the same, if I were anywhere near you I would team up with you for a dive or two.
I think diving a kelp forest would be fascinating. Have you ever done coral reef dives? I’ve done a ton of it–coral reef ecology was the focus of my graduate program. Not a bad way to do thesis research!
It is not that cold. I went in Lover’s Point today myself. It’s 56 deg. No Payless on Foam. There is an air station on Foam & one on Lighthouse & mobile one near the Coast Guard Pier.
I surf though, 3/4mm suit is all I need. That pee in the suit thing is gross…
Blasted Harbor seals have been coming up to me much too close [2’]. Would love harbor seal steaks
I’m afraid you all have me beat in the who had a colder dive cert contest.
I did my dive cert on the Great Barrier Reef off of Cairns, Australia. Water temperatures in the 80’s. Visibility near unlimited. Unbelievably colored fish. Fabulous three-day two-night stay on dive boat on the edge of paradise.
I’m sorry, I can’t compete with any of you. You all must have been much improved for the experiences.
Sue,
you should be just fine in Monterey after lake Michigan. Last time I dove in Monterey, the water was about 51F, and vis was a grand 3ft. Something I often do is make the drive to LA county and take a boat to Catalina. The water is a bit warmer there, and also features kelp beds.
SaxFace…thanks for the info. It looks like I’m going to have to post a notice a the local shop for an experienced dive buddy. Especially if there is a chance I could get eaten by kelp (gives new meaning to my OP title)!
divemaster…all my experience (save the peasoup in MI) has been in the Caribbean. In fact, I am going to Key Largo next month for some diving and fun. Can’t f-ing wait!!! Sinkholes must be scary as shit! How do you deal with the claustrophobia?
BigDaddyD…I’ve decided that I must experience it at least once. And for the record, I have nothing against peeing in my wetsuit for warmth. I seriously doubt I could make it to my armpits though!
handy…I’d love to see seals from two feet! Maybe we can meet for chowda’ after I dive!
Billdo…you fucking suck. I don’t want to hear anymore for you, ya wuss!
Seadiver…good advice. I’ll have to look into Catalina, but the kid and hubby make it difficult. Maybe someday when hubby kicks off and I run off with NothingMan.
Thanks all for the advice and encouragement!
:::smooch:::
A woman needs four animals in her life: A mink in the closet, a Jaguar in the garage, a tiger in the bedroom, and an ass to pay for it all.
—Zsa Zsa Gabor
I’ve mostly gone diving off Mexico, but did dive once in Monterey Bay. You DO have to be careful about the kelp. I was diving with a person who got tangled in the seaweed and was kind of panicky. Ask local divers about advice on how to deal with this.
Jill
‘…I was diving with
a person who got tangled in the seaweed and was kind of
panicky…’
Hey, I know! Avoid seaweed Actually there is pretty much down there at the point right now more than I have ever seen before & the surfers who run into it and fall, that is kinda funny.
Try Monterey Bay Wetsuits near Longs. They might be able to find you a partner Sue.
Forget that clam chowder at the Grill, it’s like boiling hot thick lava in a bun.
Enough with the pee in the suit thing. I don’t even want to imagine how high the poop goes.
I’m not sure how familiar you are with the Key Largo dive spots; but in case you are not, here’s some suggestions.
Molasses reef is widely thought to be one of the best diving spots in the Western Hemisphere. Shallow, extremely clear unless you hit it right after a storm. Very popular with divers and snorklers. But may be extremely crowded.
Three Sisters reef is closer to shore. Not nearly as extensive as Molasses, but still very nice. Probably won’t be crowded at all. And if you happen to see a few old Vexar cages nailed into the rock; well, that would be the remnant of one of my research projects (I tried to get them all, honest!).
Conch reef is further out and a little deeper if you want to go down 100 feet or so. Stronger currents possible here, and visibility can be more spotty. This is where the underwater research station Aquarius is located. I did a 10-day saturation mission here about 7 years ago. I’m assuming is it still there and operational. I think it is possible to plan a dive around it. But don’t feed the scientists!
Pickles and White Banks reefs are shallow but not terribly exciting to my recollection. Still, if you want an change of pace, you could get a charter with no problem. Just be careful of low tide. Sokme of the staghorn is emergent and the surge can throw you around pretty badly. I had to strap on 36 pounds of lead to do my work at White Banks on occasion. I was thrown against fire coral enough times to make me appreciate the name.
Pennekamp marine sanctuary is very nice I hear. I never dove it myself, as we could not get research or collecting permits for inside the Park.
Apart from the reefs, you can also take a snorkel trip up into the mangrove channels and lagoon grassbeds. A whole different perspective up there.
And I think you’ll find that Key Largo has to be the White Trash capital of America.
I hope you have a great time! I envy you for next month. (Someday, someday, I’ll get a chance to return)
