Spence Green

I currently own a Dive Rite O2ptima rebreather and am certified through IANTD. Information about CCR diving in Northern California is notably sparse on the web. This page contains information that I have collected by conventional methods: talking to people, asking questions, and diving.

Dive Shops

While no shops in the south Bay “officially” sell or service rebreathers, both Anywater Sports and Wallins Dive Center have accommodated my often obscure requests. I recommend Anywater–Frank Berry is a skilled dive technician–but Wallins does have an indoor training facility that I have used at no cost. Both stores provide trimix and O2 fills.

Dive Spots

At present, I am not aware of any dive locations in the San Francisco area. Most divers drive to Monterey. The following locations and boats welcome CCR divers:

Charters

Beach Hopper II – CCR-friendly dive boat with cheaper mid-week dives. This is the best value for the money in the area.

Shore Diving

Breakwater – 10m with poor visibility. A good place for drills and training. On Saturday and Sunday, expect hundreds of open water trainees.

Monastery Beach – The best dive in the area with 300+fsw depths within swimming distance from shore. Entry and exit conditions are famously treacherous, so check the weather before committing to this dive.

Otter Cove – A decent shallow dive if you need a slightly less boring training spot. There is a staircase near the south end with a useful parking area.

Pt. Lobos – The most popular dive in the area. $20 to book and $10 entry fee per car.  The weekend bookings usually fill several months in advance. BAUE has developed some excellent maps.

Weather Reports

Monterey has notoriously unpredictable weather. In general, conditions worsen as the day progresses. Never plan on cooperative weather.

• Monterey Weather
• Buoy readings [ Monterey offshore, Carmel ]
• Swell Model
• Tide tables [ Carmel, Monterey Harbor ]
• Water quality

FAQs

Do I need a drysuit?

Yes. The water temperature remains in the 48F-55F range year round.

Who does drysuit repair?

We are fortunate to have Captain Aqua’s dive shop in the East Bay. The store has a full service drysuit repair facility that is used by emergency rescue and Coast Guard personnel in the area.

Where can I get O2 in Monterey?

I recommend Bamboo Reef on Lighthouse Ave. Expect to wait about 45min. for a fill, but the staff is more knowledgeable about and receptive to technical divers than any other shop in the area.

Who does technical training in the area?

As far as I know, Phil Sammet is the only technical instructor in Monterey. For those unafraid of a weekend trip, Jeff Bozanic in LA is as fine an instructor as can be found.