Location:
Stretching along the U.S. West Coast, California’s rugged Pacific shoreline is home to some of the most iconic cold-water dive sites in North America, especially around Monterey Bay and the Channel Islands.
 
Why it’s a top dive destination:
California’s underwater landscapes are defined by towering giant kelp forests — living cathedrals that sway in the current and shelter sea lions, rockfish, and bat rays. It’s a place where nutrient-rich upwellings fuel spectacular marine life diversity year-round.
 
Highlights:
Monterey Bay’s kelp forests and marine reserves
Channel Islands National Park for sea lions and garibaldi
Wrecks, reefs, and kelp tunnels along the coast
Seasonal sightings of sea otters and migrating whales
 
Fun Fact:
Giant kelp can grow up to 60 cm (2 ft) per day, making it one of the fastest-growing organisms on Earth — and creating an ever-changing underwater forest for divers to explore.