Monolobo, post retirement dive #956 September 17, 2026

Greg Hoberg and I caught a very calm day to take his boat down to Carmel Bay. The water looked very clear at the Pinnacles but because it was so calm we decided to cross Carmel Bay and check out our old favorite dive area, Monolobo. We were disappointed to find no signs of either Giant nor Bull Kelp across the area we usually dive but spotted a patch of Giant Kelp closer to the south end of Monastery Beach. We decided to dive it, though the water wasn't as clear. We had 20 ft of visibility with 57 degree water, warm for Carmel Bay. Below are some photos from our dive, to see the rest, please go to: https://photos.app.goo.gl/37cScL2d6Jad4mnn7 It was good to be diving in a beautiful Giant Kelp forest again. We only have about 5% of the amount of kelp we had before the 2014 disastrous Sea Star wasting disease caused the local extinction of Sunflower Sea Stars leading to an explosion in voracious purple sea urchins that have devoured everything. This site was a combination of large and small rock structure and sand, all under a canopy of kelp. Below:

Sea Lemon Nudibranch with Brittle Stars, a Gopher Rockfish, a Moon Snail, and an Olive Rockfish. Below:

A Spiny Sea Star with hundreds of hermit crabs. I have no idea why there was such a congregation of Hermit Crabs. Below:

Below: A Leather Sea Star

Below: Greg with a favorite fish subject, a Vermilion Rockfish.

Coraline Sculpin, about 4 inches long, not a bad photo for shooting it with a wide angle lens. Below:

A pair of Pile Perch. Below: