MONASTERY BEACH

Monastery Beach is the great humbler of the Monterey Peninsula.  Many an unsuspecting diver has been tossed and tumbled by the innocent looking waves.  The waves at Monastery are very unpredictable and can often surprise the uninitiated.  Proper surf entry and exit techniques are mandatory!  Once through the surf, Monastery is an expansive dive where you can check out rays, sharks, and other creatures brought up from the trench.  Beyond the largest wash rock on the outer edge of the kelp bed at the north end of Monastery Beach is the start of the trench and a drop off to the abyss. 

Directions:  Continue along Highway 1 past Monterey and Carmel, 4 miles south of Highway 68.  Parking is located on the side of the highway.  The beach is hidden from view from the roadway so just look for a big parking area and cars. 

Aerial photo