Point Lobos (Whalers Cove)Carmel, CA

Visibility is an estimate — wind, rain, tide & water alerts.

Getting in

Shore access, ramp entry

Depth

15 to 80 ft

Best conditions

Visibility swings widely day to day. DAN reports more than 80 ft on the best days in Carmel Bay.

Getting through the gate

You must reserve in advance, for snorkelling as well as diving. Ten dive teams are allowed per day, each permit covers a team of two, and diving alone is not permitted. Reservations run $20 on weekdays and $30 at weekends and on holidays, plus a processing fee, booked through monthly links on the California State Parks dive page. Parking is $10 a car, and a kayak or paddleboard launch is $10.

Protection

Point Lobos State Marine Reserve, a fully no-take zone. It is unlawful to injure, damage, take or possess any living, geological or cultural marine resource.

On site

parking lot, boat ramp

Watch for

Water runs 45 to 55 F, so DAN says a drysuit or a good 7 mm wetsuit with hood and gloves is essential, Dense kelp forest across Middle Reef and the cove, Kayaks and small boats launch from the same ramp divers use

Checked 2026-07-19. Sources: California State Parks, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Divers Alert Network.