Monterey Bay is one of the best diving areas on the planet. The place lies 275 miles along the Californian coastline and is home to a diverse ecosystem.
Divers like the Monterey waters because of the beauty beneath its sea. The area is also home to some of the rarest animals in the world and vast marine life. Here are interesting things scuba divers are likely to see in Monterey.
10 Anemones
Anemones have elongated tubular bodies encircled by tentacles at the head. The tentacles are poisonous and essential for hunting prey. Sea anemones glow and may look like jellyfish from a distance. Fortunately, the slightly dark waters of Monterey make a perfect habitat for these glowing animals.
Although their sting is mild, travelers shouldn't dive too close to these animals as a group of them can cause significant damage. Tourists should exercise caution by steering far from them.
9 Pinnipeds (Seals And Sea Lions)
Monterey Bay is home to five species of pinnipeds. These animals include the harbor seal, the northern fur seal, the northern elephant seal, the Steller sea lions, and the California sea lions.
The harbor seals and Californian sea lions occupy the Bay Area all year round. On the other hand, steller sea lions, northern fur seals, and northern elephant seals roam around the sea and are only visible while on a boat or via diving.
Elephant and fur seals enjoy the deep waters except during mating and molting seasons when they have to swim to the shore. Vacationers can easily spot these striking deep-sea mammals swimming across the sea, flapping their flippers.
8 Colorful Coral Reefs
Beautiful stretches of coral reefs occupy the deep waters of Monterey Bay. The reefs are home to a vast ecosystem that stretches to the Gulf of Mexico.
Tourists marvel at the colorful reefs that reflect the sea's beauty on the surface. The rocks are in pristine condition and stretch to the peaks of Davidson's Seamount, an underground mountain in the Atlantic Ocean.
7 The Davidson's Seamount
The Davidson's Seamount is 80 miles from Monterey Bay. This dormant volcanic underwater mountain rises 2,400 meters from the ocean floor and is still in pristine condition. It houses more than 1,000 species of aquatic animals.
Visitors explore the mountain through diving. However, tourists should explore the mountain with an experienced local diver that often explores the area.
6 Macro Sea Life
The waters of Monterey boast of one of the most diverse macro sea life on the planet. The diversity stems from the existence of suitable conditions for organisms to survive.
The kelp forests cover the deep seas, creating underground macro vegetation. This alga facilitates a cold underwater atmosphere responsible for active sea life.
The underwater vegetation renders the waters dark and quite impossible to navigate through. However, the surrounding makes for a perfect setting for glowing animals.
5 The Kelp Forests
Monterey Bay is home to one of the most extensive kelp forests. The forests are 80 feet deep and cover 80 miles of Monterey's underwater. This algae collection is home to different types of fish, including sea otters, leopard sharks, and sea urchins.
Kelp forests render the waters dark since they tower most of the underwater features. The darkness makes the area an ideal habitat for aquatic animals.
4 Whales, Porpoises, And Dolphins
The bay is also home to whales, including the largest mammal in the world, the blue whale, porpoises, and dolphins. These animals roam the deep waters and occasionally swim to the surface when migrating.
Daring vacationers scuba dive and view these animals, especially dolphins and porpoises. Monterey Bay offers fascinated visitors with experienced divers to guide them while exploring these magnificent animals. Tourists should, however, practice caution when close to these mammals.
3 Sea Nettles
Unlike other jellyfishes, the sea nettle stings. The fish hunts by trailing its poisonous stinging tentacles that attach to the prey, imminently paralyzing it. This kind of jellyfish has an orange glow and moves in colonies.
Sea Nettles are visible to scuba divers as they glow vividly and move in packs. Divers ought to maintain distance to avoid getting stung by these animals. Tourists should dive in groups when exploring nestle-filled waters. Diving in groups helps wade the fish away, further guaranteeing safety.
2 Turtles
Like other marine ecosystems, Monterey is also home to numerous species of turtles. These turtles swim to the shore to lay eggs. Once hatched, the baby turtles crawl back to the sea and begin their odyssey.
Tourists must dive into the sea to view turtles in their natural habitat. Viewing these crustaceans is often safe as they don't live deep in the ocean. Visitors don't necessarily require a guide when diving into the turtle waters.
1 Sea Otters
The most prevalent sea animals in Monterey are the sea otters. Vacationers encounter otters on the bay basking or gnawing on a sea urchin. According to scientists, sea otters keep the bay's ecosystem stable. They do so by hunting invasive urchins for food. Feeding on sea urchins promotes the growth of kelp vegetation, a vital habitat for most sea animals.