Location: Point Lobos State Reserve

Maps Available:
- Beach View
- Underwater Topo

Dive Level: Beginner to Intermediate

General Overview:
Whalers Cove is the gateway to some of the best diving on the peninsula. Located in Point Lobos State Reserve, Whalers Cove consists of a sandy bottom with dispersed rocky outcroppings. Thick beds of giant and bull kelp cling to these rocks. And where you find thick beds of kelp, you find sea otters napping. During the winter, leopard sharks enter the cove to bear pups - there can be as many of 20 seen during a typical dive during this time! You'll also find harbor seals terrorizing them, as the two species haven't taken "why can't we all get along" to heart.

There's two small caverns beneath Coal Chute Cove that you can explore. The cavern at the tip of the cove (marked in black through the tip) is above 80' long and has no side tunnels. You can safely proceed directly through the cavern to the other side, assuming that conditions are relatively mild. Several other caverns are marked on the map. BUT - keep in mind that caverns are overhead environments, and require special training to explore safety!

Point Lobos was the first underwater reserve in the nation (beating out Pennecamp by 13 years)! RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR WEEKEND DIVING! Point Lobos limits the # of divers to 15 teams/day. A complete list of Point Lobos diving regulations can be found here.

Site Amenities:
There is an $8 fee/vehicle to enter the Reserve and a $10 fee/dive team. Diving is ONLY allowed at Whalers Cove and Bluefish Cove. There are restrooms available.

Entry/Exits:
Divers may only enter the water crom the Whalers Cove boat ramp. This is also the entry point for Bluefish Cove (requiring a long swim or an alternative method of travel -such as a kayak or DPV).

Notable Sights:
The caverns are relatively safe to dive, and can be quite fun (and spooky for some).

The west wall of the cove near the mouth has a series of rock faces in 30-50' of water that are covered with quite colorful invertebrate life - including large rose anemones, and several species of nudibranchs. Sea cucumbers and encrusting sponges make macro photography quite popular in this area.

This IS a reserve, so the fish have no fear of divers - so here again, photographers can add to their fish portrait collection.


How to Get There:

• Via Hwy 1
Take Hwy 1 south past Carmel. Immediately after Monastery Beach (cleverly named due to the Carmelite Monastery on the east side of the highway), you'll see a sign for Point Lobos. Make a right and stop at the Ranger Station to pay your fees, show your certification, and check-in (reservations are required, remember?). After pulling past the Ranger Station, make the first right to go to Whalers Cove parking.

For more information about Point Lobos, you can visit the official site and the official Point Lobos Scuba site.