Bluefish Cove and Whalers Cove

Two miles south of Carmel on Highway 1, these gorgeous spots within Point Lobos State Reserve offer easy beach access and a rich abundance of life inside a 750-acre protected underwater park. Reservations are required on weekends. Point Lobos State Reserve, Carmel, 624-8413, http://www.pointlobos.org/general-info/trail-maps/diving-area/bluefish-cove

Carmel River State Beach

Divers who venture out past the kelp will discover pinnacles with steep walls that are home to plenty of critters and creatures, small fish and nudibranchs. Typically not very crowded. At the intersection of Scenic and Carmelo, Carmel, 649-2836, http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=567

Lovers Point

Divers can find easy beach access, plentiful parking and, in case of emergency, the Monterey region’s only hyperbaric chamber in nearby Pacific Grove. 17th St., Pacific Grove, http://www.ci.pg.ca.us/recreation/p-loverspt.htm

Monastery Beach

This is one of the region’s most popular diving spots, with north and south entrances, and is a good place to meet new diving buddies. Deep water with dramatic drop-offs and severe undertow make this area strictly for more experienced divers. Opposite the Carmelite Monastery, Highway 1, south of Carmel, http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=567

Otter Cove

Less popular, but no less attractive. Here divers can find sea otters (of course), seals, rays and an abundance of other sea life out past the kelp forest. The sandy bottom features boulders near shore and large pinnacles about 150 feet out. Ocean View Boulevard and Seapalm Avenue, Pacific Grove, http://www.montereyscubaboard.com/ottercove.php

San Carlos Beach

One of the best spots for new divers is the breakwater at San Carlos Beach. There is now an upgraded entrance for divers off San Carlos Beach Park, including bathrooms and showers at the Coast Guard Pier. You’ll see forests of kelp, octopi, anemones, starfish and the occasional otter or sea lion. Coast Guard Pier, Wave and Drake streets, Monterey, http://www.mtycounty.com/pgs-parks/parks-reg/sancarlos.html