Dive Shops and Services
in Monterey
Manager: Jon Baker
Staff: Keith McNutt
Bamboo Reef is located at 614 Lighthouse Ave. in Monterey. Their
phone number is (408) 372-1685. They offer certification courses
through PADI and NAUI. For those of you coming down here from the
Frisco area, their main store is at 584 5th St. in San Francisco,
(415) 362-6694.
| Equipment Rentals | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Item | Price Each | ||
| Wet Suit, BC, Reg. | $10 | ||
| Tank | $7 | ||
| Wt. Belt, Boots, Fins, Mask, Gloves | $4 | ||
| Snorkel or Hood only | $3 | ||
| Air Fills | |||
| Single | $4 | ||
| Air Card | $35 | ||
Bamboo Reef carries several brands of dive gear, including Sherwood, U.S.Divers, Seaquest, and Mares. They also offer guided tours. The cost is $45.00 per person per dive. They are usually conducted along the Coast Guard breakwater.
Owner: Al Huelga
Aquarius has two shops in Monterey. The main store is at 2040 Del
Monte Ave., and they have a second shop at the Coast Guard
Breakwater. The phone number for the main store is (408)
375-1933, and for the breakwater store it's 375-6605. Aquarius
offers certifications from PADI, NAUI, and ANDI(Nitrox)
| Equipment Rentals | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Item | Price Each | ||
| Wet Suit, BC, Regulator | $8 | ||
| Hood, Depth Gauge, Mask | $3 | ||
| Boots, Gloves, Fins | $4 | ||
| Tank | $9 | ||
| Octopus | $4.50 | ||
| Weight Belt | $5 | ||
| Snorkel, Pressure Gauge | $2.50 | ||
| LP Hose | $2 | ||
| Full SCUBA | |||
| Without Mask, Fins, Snorkel | $56.50 | ||
| With Mask, Fins, Snorkel | $66.50 | ||
| Snorkel Package | $33.50 | ||
| Nitrox | |||
| Nitrox I w/tank | $12 | ||
| Nitrox I w/o tank | $6 | ||
| Nitrox II w/tank | $13 | ||
| Nitrox II w/o tank | $7 | ||
Aquarius carries gear from ScubaPro, US Divers, and Poseidon. They are the only shop here that does Nitrox fills (up to 3000psi), and they carry some photography equipment. Aquarius does guided tours, mostly at the Breakwater, though other dive sites can be arranged. They like to have at least a week prior notice, and walk-ins aren't likely to get a tour.
| #of Tanks | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| One Diver | |||
| 1 Tank | $50 | ||
| 2 Tank | $80 | ||
| Two Divers | |||
| 1 Tank | $90 | ||
| 2 Tank | $120 | ||
| Three Divers | |||
| 1 Tank | $125 | ||
| 2 Tank | $180 | ||
| Four Divers | |||
| 1 Tank | $145 | ||
| 2 Tank | $200 | ||
Monterey Bay Dive Center also has 2 shops, one at 225 Cannery Row
[(408) 656-0454] and another at 598 Foam St. [(408) 655-1818],
just behind the Sea Harvest restaurant. They offer certification
through PADI, and can arrange Nitrox certification through either
IANTD or TDI.
| Equipment Rentals | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Item | Price Each | ||
| Wetsuit, BC | $10 | ||
| Regulator | $12 | ||
| Tank, Weight Belt | $8 | ||
| Mask, Fins, Hood, Gloves, Boots | $5 | ||
| Snorkle, Ankle Weight | $3 | ||
| Complete Package | $50 | ||
| 1/2 Price Second Day | |||
MBDC carries Oceanic, Tusa, Dacor, and Beauchat gear. They also offer guided tours. Most often they take divers to the Breakwater area, but dives at other sites can be arranged. They like to have at least 24 hours advance booking, but will take walk-ins.
| #of Tanks | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| One Diver | |||
| 1 Tank | $50 | ||
| 2 Tank | $80 | ||
| Two Divers | |||
| 1 Tank | $90 | ||
| 2 Tank | $140 | ||
| Three Divers | |||
| 1 Tank | $130 | ||
| 2 Tank | $180 | ||
| Four Divers | |||
| 1 Tank | $170 | ||
| 2 Tank | $260 | ||
Monterey Bay Wetsuits is located at 207 Hoffman Ave., (408) 375-7848, kinda between Bamboo Reef and MBDC's Foam St. store.They make custom wetsuits, do wetsuit and drysuit repairs in the store, and carry a selection of thermal protection items, as well as Zeagle BCD's.
Operated by Twin Otters, Inc.[Box 8744, Monterey, CA. 93943 (408) 394-4235] the Silver Prince is a 40ft. fiberglass Uniflight capable of carrying 20 passengers. Hot soup and coffee are provided. You may bring along food, beverages, and fishing tackle. You must provide all your own gear, including your first tank. The second tank is provided by Twin Otters, Inc.
The Cypress Sea [1344 Saratoga Ave. San Jose, CA. 95129-4336, (408) 244-4433] is a 50ft aluminum C-Craft. All tanks are provided. 2 and 3 tank dive trips available.
The Pacific Star [529 Central Ave., #206, Pacific Grove, CA. 93950, (800) 560-DIVE, or (408) 656-9336] is the only live-aboard boat in the list. She carries up to 24 divers. Trips usually range from 1-3 days. Tanks, soft weights, and unlimited air are provided. Nitrox is also available for $10/tank or $24/day. There is a photographer's work area on board, and shelves on the dive deck dedicated to camera stowage between dives. The boat stages out of Monterey harbor now.
The neweset dive charter in Monterey Bay is the Monterey Express [(888) 422-2999]. She's 42ft. long with twin 310hp engines. Regular trips are Wednesdays and Fridays at 8 am, and Saturdays and Sundays at both 8 am and 1:30 pm. Prices are $60 for weekday and afternoon trips, and $65 for weekend morning trips. The price includes two tanks, drinks, and snacks. Private charters are available.
Backscatter is an underwater photo and video shop, located at the Coast Guard Breakwater, next to Aquarius Dive Shop. (408) 645-1082.
Light and Motion makes custom underwater video housings. They're located at 300 Cannery Row. (408) 645-1525.