There are famous dive sites with name recognition, and then there are the ‘tweeners—the often overlooked and little known sites in between the famous ones. In Carmel Bay two of the most recognized sites are Monastery Beach and Point Lobos Reserve. Right in between is the very nice and very overlooked Mono-Lobo Wall. Mono-Lobo is accessible only by boat, and is one of the best boat dives in Central California.

The bottom inshore of the wall is a jumble of large granite boulders. These are covered with layers of algae and incrusting invertebrates. Here are also found an assortment of small fish and invertebrates. This area is often subjected to a northwest swell, can be uncomfortable on days with moderate swell, and should be avoided when the swell picks up.

The wall begins in about 40 feet of water and drops away in a series of steps. In some areas the wall winds down in a series of rugged canyons; in others, it drops away in a maze of huge granite outcroppings. The scale of the canyons, boulders and granite pillars is breathtaking. These create interconnecting passageways that are fun to explore even if there were no marine life. But there is plenty.  Many of these are carpeted with thick growths of strawberry anemones and paint the rocks in shades of red, orange lavender and pink. Look for other rocks that are covered by orange volcano sponges, cobalt blue sponges, and an assortment of orange sea cucumbers. There are huge red and white fish eating anemones on the walls. Look for chestnut cowries hunting on the rocks. These are carnivores and will eat anemones, sponges and snail eggs.

As divers drop below 80 feet they will find an interesting bottom terrain of high-sided canyons, small caves, and a many deep recesses to explore. There is still a wealth of color at this depth as well. Along the exposed portions of the walls and in the surge channels are large trees of hydrocoral. In one spot the wall drops nearly vertically from 40 to 100 feet and is encrusted with an assortment of anemones, sponges and hydrocoral. Hydrocorals only grow in areas with plenty of currents and clean water, so their presence is a clear sign of a healthy reef. Rock scallops hide in the deep recesses of the many nooks-and-crannies. Look, but don’t touch; this is a conservation area.

Large gamefish in Carmel Bay have be severely depleted, so hunters need not come here, but photographers and fish watchers will enjoy this site. Lingcod and cabezon can be found here hiding among the rocks while various species of rockfish can be found through the site, Blue rockfish hunt for jellyfish in the open water near the kelp beds, while kelp rockfish feed on things that can be found on or among the kelp itself. Gopher or black-and-yellow rockfish feed on the bottom. Usually, I would not talk about diving in sand next to a spectacular wall, but the sand area at the base of the rock wall (110-130 feet deep) is a great place to find unusual nudibranchs and shelled mollusks.

So come to the Mono-Lobo Wall for the rugged underwater landscape that is eminently worth exploring, but stay for the diversity of marine life. When the northwest swell is not too big, this is one of the most enjoyable and comfortable wall dives in California.

Dive Spot at a Glance:

Location: In Carmel Bay offshore between Monastery Beach and Whalers Cove in Point Lobos State Reserve.
Access and Entry: Boat only. Charter dive boats are available from Monterey Harbor or you may launch your own from the Monterey Breakwater, Stillwater Cove or Point Lobos State Reserve.
Skill level: Intermediate or greater from charter boat.
Depths: 40 to 130 feet
Visibility: 20 to 60 feet
Hunting: The entire Carmel Bay is a State Marine Conservation Area and no invertebrates may be taken, but recreational fishing, including spearfishing, is legal if you are outside of the Underwater Reserve area of Point Lobos State Marine Reserve, There are, however, are few fish worth hunting here. Charter boats normally prohibit their passengers from hunting here due to the proximity of Point Lobos, where no natural object may be taken or disturbed.
Photography: Excellent for macro and wide angle.
Hazards: Watch for swells and surge, particularly in the shallow reef; boat traffic and thick kelp in summer.