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Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Monastery Beach North
This is an easy-access site toward the Southern end of Carmel River State Beach. Come here when the main beach, just to the South, is packed. Because this shoreline is wide open to the Pacific swells, you should consider yourself an advanced diver before negotiating the entry. Head South on Highway 1 out of Carmel. Just as you start to see the first roadside beach, you're there!
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Anonymous
Jul 3, 2002, 12:00 AM
scuba
I experienced some of the best conditions ever at this site in October of 1993. The ocean was FLAT for about 8 days in the middle of the month and I was fortunate enough to make about 9 dives during that time. Diving Zen was achieved with visibility exceeding 100'. This made for incredible night diving conditions, too. BE CAREFUL, as these conditions are extremely rare for this site. I have over 50 dives at this location and most took place during average conditions, at best. Once in the water, it is a most rewarding site. The steep drop-off provides a great wall dive and there is plenty of kelp, mammals, fish and invertebrates. Safe egress is the key to success here. Be prepared to crawl (a lot), making sure your BC is EMPTY when you start. Otherwise a wave will pick you up an pound you on the steep beach. I've seen people get absolutely pummeled on average days. This is definitely an advanced site. I would not recommend ANY novice divers (even w/ advanced supervision) as this just puts both buddies at risk. Practice on the S. Monastery side before taking the plunge up the beach and enjoy!
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