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McAbee Beach
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McAbee Beach can be used by beginners and experts, alike. The easy entry leads to a large kelp bed just a minute off shore. Several old pipelines create an artificial reef, making this a complete site for marine viewers!
Directions: In Monterey, heading West on Del Monte, bear right onto Lighthouse Ave, then bear right onto Foam St. Make a right onto Hoffman Ave. At the intersection of Cannery Row, you'll see the trail head.
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Diver
Reviews: (Please share your
own experiences by clicking
here!)
11/28/2005 Brian Xavier (Avg: 3.35 Review) - McAbee Beach is a good dive in the heart of Monterey. Park on the street, use the meters, and walk down the path to the beach. Kick out to the kelp (35 ft), and dive back to shore. Some pretty nice fish here, although I can't help but think there should be more fish in Monterey overall. Some of the old-timers have told me there used to be lots more. You can also view the beach through the web cam les jackson.com
03/01/2005 Jeff Bailey (Avg: 3.61 Review) - This is a Monterey "Must" Dive. Cheap parking ($5 at El Torito), good viz on our first dive (25 feet), a couple of Harbor Seals to play with and the remains of the SS Gypsy if you look hard enough. All of the animal and plant life that you dive Monterey for without all the dive classes
02/13/2005 Owen DeLong (Avg: 4.53 Review) - McAbee offers a variety of reef, Kelp Forest, and Sandy bottom types. Everything from Hermit Crabs to Kelp Bass to giant Jelly Fish. Rubber Lip Surf Perch, Black Eye Gobies and Sail Fin Sculpins are also common here. Lots of lush kelp and some old cannery pipes provide a rich habitat for a wide variety of fish and invertebrates. This is one of my favorite dive sites.
07/26/2004 Tony Linn (Avg: 3.84 Review) - It was pretty cool..... Got to swim with seals!!!
01/15/2003 Anonymous (Avg: 3.10 Review) - McAbee is an excellent training beach or a great place for a night dive. Lots of interesting rocks and plenty of fish and invertebrates. Kelp can be an issue in the summer, though. There is a buoy about 100 yards out that is great for divers not comfortable with free ascents and descents yet. McAbee is also a fun place to visit for non-divers. It's right in the heart of tourist Monterey so there's plenty to do without diving.
09/08/2002 A Warren (Avg: 2.76 Review) - VERY long walk with all your gear from the parking lot. Fun because it was my first open water dive.
03/02/2002 Chris Talley (Avg: 3.31 Review) - MacAbee is a hit or miss dive. The first time I went there was 5' of vis and plenty of surge. The second time was a great dive with 30'+ vis. There is a lot of debris from the old cannery days of Monterey and lots of perch and rock fish around. I found 3 huge Cabezon on the second dive there.
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Site Photos
Maps
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Photo
(click photo for a larger version) |
Comments |
| Parking
Map
Sat
GPS: CN1501
N36°36.8588'
W121°54.0215'
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Parking is very limited at this site. Get there early or be prepared for a healthy hike. Pictured is a pay lot, but street parking can be found if you search around.
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| Trail Head
Map
Sat
GPS: CN1502
N36°36.8966'
W121°53.9484'
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With the beach to the right, you can tell this is a popular area. If you are faced with a quarter mile hike from available parking, you may want to innocently ignore the No Unloading sign at the trail head.
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| Trail Head
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This is a view just to the right of the above picture. The hike isn't too bad.
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| Entry
Map
Sat
GPS: CN1504
N36°36.9338'
W121°53.9555'
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The entry couldn't be easier. The more interesting diving is just beyond the kelp bed.
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Last Verification: July, 2001
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4.43
3.29
3.57
3.00
2.43
4.57