Diving at San Carlos Beach in Monterey, CA. Epic Winter Kelp Forest Diving with a Mola Mola

San Carlos Beach in Monterey, CA is the most dove site in the area. This beach, also known as the "The Breakwater" as it is bounded by the Coast Guard Breakwater, is popular because it is the most sheltered spot from wind and waves, and has parking nearby. There is a kelp forest along the Breakwater wall. One reason for the kelp is that the purple urchins are kept at bay by the divers who cull them. Diving conditions here are highly variable. In the spring-summer when the sun shines strongly, the plankton can bloom resulting in green water with 1-2 meters of visibility. However, in the winter the combination of less sun with lots of water movement can have the visibility reach as high as 20 meters. This video was taken on such a day last winter. Mola molas are often seen in Monterey as they come in to feed on the jellyfish. Video was shot with a Sony ZV-E1 and 16 mm lens.