Need a Dive Op Recommendation for Monterey

[Cali_divergirl]

Hi want to "finally" dive in Monterey and would like some advice. We are a family of four who are used to diving tropical/warm water locals. The boys 15 and 18 have been diving for 5 years and 6 years are used to current and adverse conditions but have never been in kelp. We would like a smaller op if available and would like to do boat dives.

I would also like to know what the water temps are now since I get very very cold even in warm water. I know it bites, I get blue and everything! No Dry suit so I will have to layer and take one for the team!

Thx
Diana

[Chuck Tribolet]

I've been seeing 47F on the bottom (but boat diving, so deeper)>

I'd contact Bruce at Aquarius on Del Monte.


Chuck

[fisheater]

I'd also read Chuck's awesome Monterey diving info at Ba_diving Website - Information about Northern California diving (http://www.garlic.com/~triblet/ba_diving/), especially New Monterey Diver Information (http://www.garlic.com/~triblet/ba_diving/newmontereydiver.html).

[Cali_divergirl]

Thank you for the info and links I know it will be very very different than we are used to. That is why I wanted to find a small op that would do some hand holding and keep my kids safe. Is this available in Monterey? Just selfishly curious...When is Monterey at its warmest?

[fisheater]

Bruce at Aquarius Dive Shop on Del Monte is your guy. Just as Chuck said.

Temps don't vary that much. Like the Nike slogan, "Just do it."


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[Peter_C]

Here in Cali the DM's do not get in the water and lead the divers around. Instead they remain on the boat and assist the captain in getting folks on and off the boat.

You can check with the smaller boats like the Silver Prince and the Beach Hopper II to see if they will put a DM in the water with you if you so desire. Bruce at Aquarius might have some recommendations too. I know his shop does a lot of guided shore diving.

Personally if you have never dove locally I would recommend shore diving. Reasons like a nice slope to descend and ascend on come into play vs a green water possibly poor vis ascent with no line to follow up.

Also if you get cold a drysuit might be a better option. Many people quite diving because of the cold, but a drysuit can change everything simply by the person being warm.

[Chuck Tribolet]

Monterey is at its warmest in the fall, coldest in the spring. Temps vary about five degrees.

[edl]

Check out Monterey Blue Diving, I have used him before. had a fantastic dive. i chose him because it was one on one, it would be just you and your family. not sure how many he can take on his boat though but its well worth checking out.

[g1138]

Aqua Safaris in Santa Cruz has a small group of DM's. If you want a DM-guided boat dive just ask and they'll help you out.

It's true that the dive boats in Monterey don't have in-water DM guides unless you ask before hand. Even then the shops mostly takes care of that end.

If you want a small boat with less divers, the Beach Hopper and Sanctuary are good bets.
Monterey Blue Diving will have the boat all to your family if you want to dive off a Zodiac.
Monterey SCUBA Diving Charter Boats (http://www.montereydiveboats.com/)
Aqua Safaris Scuba Gear, Diving Equipment & Dive Travel (http://aquasafaris.com/)

[tac747]

I second the idea of doing your first dives in monterey from shore. Easy entry and exit in an unfamilliar area. Also glenns aquarius 2 right there at breakwater has dive guides for the new to the area diver with advanced notice. Glenn's Aquarius II Dive Shop - Home (http://www.aquarius2.com/html/home_1.htm)

[Samma]

Check out Monterey Blue Diving, I have used him before. had a fantastic dive. i chose him because it was one on one, it would be just you and your family. not sure how many he can take on his boat though but its well worth checking out.

We dove with him as well, nice guy. But hard to imagine family of 3 or 4 on his boat?