Hiking, Biking and Outdoor Activities on the Monterey Bay

Scuba Diving Kayaking Fishing Whale Watching

Outdoor enthusiasts love the Monterey Bay area for its abundance of beaches, hiking and biking trails, boating, fishing, kayaking, scuba diving, and whale watching. Whether you’re looking for a physical challenge or just want a day of outdoor family fun with the kids, Northern California’s Monterey area has something to please every visitor, from biking along the coastal trails to exciting scuba diving tours of Monterey’s famous marine sanctuary.

Scuba Diving. The Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary is a world-class diving area known for its abundance of marine life, ocean land formations, gaping underwater canyon, and spectacular kelp forests. This popular diving site attracts more than 65,000 divers per year. Enjoy good visibility, safe diving conditions, easy access from beach areas like San Carlos Beach, Monastery Beach and McAbee Beach, and diving tours from a variety of charter companies.   [Top]

Kayaking. Kayaking is a unique way to experience the beauty of Monterey Bay. Whether you choose a single or two-person kayak, you’ll see sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions, and birds that call the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary home. Expert kayakers and first-timers alike will delight in the area’s abundant wildlife and spectacular scenery.   [Top]

Fishing. When you visit the Monterey Bay area, you will experience some of the best sport fishing in the world. Ocean fishing in the area includes salmon, albacore, rock cod, lingcod, halibut and rockfish and you can find a variety of fishing charter boats that offer all-day or half-day fishing tours.   [Top]

Whale Watching. Catch a glimpse of California’s most popular visitor, the impressive gray whale. Migrating gray whales visit the area, especially during the peak season from December through March, with as many as 7,000 passing through the offshore waters of the Monterey Bay each year. Whale watchers and nature lovers can catch a boat tour any time of year and see a variety of large marine animals, like gray whales, humpback whales, blue whales, orcas, and dolphins, plus seals, sea lions, otters, and much more.   [Top]