|
Coral Street
Location:
the intersection
of Ocean View Ave and Coral Street, Pacific Grove.
Dive Level:
Beginner to
Intermediate
General Overview:
Coral Street is one of those sites that is either Beginner or
not, depending on surf conditions. Instructors love to bring new
divers to this scenic location, but as surf can come up quickly,
it's best left to intermediate divers when surf is present.
The bottom is mainly
rocky boulders with palm kelp attached. In deeper water, you'll also
find coralline algae. The bottom is shallow for most of the site, so
divers tend to follow the channel in the center of the cove to get
to deeper water and to avoid crawling over rocks at low tide.
Because of the rocky substrate, this is a great location to spot
monkey face eels in various holes.
Be aware that there
may be a strong surface current offshore! The more prudent diver
will complete the swim back to shore underwater, rather than
potentially face a swim against the current at the surface.
Site Amenities:
Parking is readily available, but there are no restrooms or
convenient restaurants near the site...ditto for air - so bring your
own everything! Please exercise some level of modesty when changing,
for the sake of the neighbors around the site.
Entry/Exits:
Walk down the short stone staircase to the rock and gravel beach.
Enter on the west end (the left side) of the beach, and you'll find
the wide channel. This will descend to around 20', and is primarily
sand (with lots of broken shells thrown in). Exits are done in
reverse.
Notable Sights:
As you swim out of the cove, the bottom consists of miniature
pinnacles and ridges. You'll find rose and lemon nudibranchs, ring
top shells and even the occasional halibut! Harbor seals
occasionally stop by, and because of the wide variety of
invertebrate life, macro photography is definitely a winner here.
How to Get There:
• Via Hwy 1
Take Hwy 1 going South. Once you hit Monterey, take the
SECOND Del Monte Ave Exit (the one that says "To
Monterey and Pacific Grove"). Stay on Del Monte Ave until you go
through the tunnel. Immediately after the tunnel, get in the right
lane. Follow this road (now Lighthouse Ave) to the last signal in
New Monterey (marked by a Carl's Jr on the right). Make a right,
then a left at the end of this street onto Ocean View Ave.
Follow Ocean View Ave around the bay (a very scenic commute).
At Lovers Cove, make a right to continue on Ocean View Ave. In the
vicinity of where Coral Street intersects, find parking.
• Via 101 or 280
Take I-280 to Hwy 85 S. to Hwy 101 S. (or just hop on 101 to begin
with). In Prunedale, take 156 W. to Hwy 1 S. to Monterey. take the
SECOND Del Monte Ave Exit (the one that says "To
Monterey and Pacific Grove"). Stay on Del Monte Ave until you go
through the tunnel. Immediately after the tunnel, get in the right
lane. Follow this road (now Lighthouse Ave) to the last signal in
New Monterey (marked by a Carl's Jr on the right). Make a right,
then a left at the end of this street onto Ocean View Ave.
Follow Ocean View Ave around the bay (a very scenic commute).
At Lovers Cove, make a right to continue on Ocean View Ave. In the
vicinity of where Coral Street intersects, find parking.
|
NEWSLETTER
MAP OF DIVE
TRAINING SITES
WEATHER FORECAST
FOR MONTEREY
MONTEREY BAY
AQUARIUM
PROJECT AWARE
DREAM DIVERS
DIVE CLUB
EMAIL
|
