Scuba Diving Northern California
About California – Northern
Northern California encompasses some of the finest cold-water diving in North America, from the world-renowned kelp forests of Monterey Bay to the purple hydrocoral of Farnsworth Bank near San Francisco. Monterey Bay's Monastery Beach offers advanced shore diving through massive kelp with seals and whales, while Lover's Point provides easy entry with sea otters, octopus, and harbor seals. Point Lobos Marine Reserve is considered one of the most beautiful dive sites on Earth with crystal-clear water, stellar sea lions, and extraordinary kelp forest biodiversity. The Metridium Fields feature a massive white plumose anemone field creating an ethereal underwater landscape. San Francisco's Breakwater Cove provides excellent macro shore diving while Farnsworth Bank offers advanced boat diving with purple hydrocoral and giant sea bass. Fort Bragg and Mendocino add kelp forests with abalone and sea urchins.
Highlights
- ✓Point Lobos marine reserve with stellar sea lions
- ✓Monastery Beach advanced kelp forest diving
- ✓Farnsworth Bank purple hydrocoral and giant sea bass
- ✓Metridium Fields plumose anemone landscape
- ✓Lover's Point sea otters and octopus
Dive Site Map: California – Northern
1 mapped dive sites in this region. Click a marker for a quick look and a link to the full site guide.
Getting There
Fly into the nearest regional airport and arrange ground transport. Local dive operators provide boat access to offshore sites.
Local Transport
Rental cars provide flexibility. Local dive boats operate from main harbors.