Morro Bay & Port San Luis · United States · Kelp forest
Cayucos Kelp Beds
Thick kelp beds along Highway 1 just past Cayucos
Area photo: jkirkhart35 · CC BY 2.0
The Cayucos Kelp Beds are thick kelp beds along the coast just past Cayucos on Highway 1. The diving is shallow, at about 3–9 m (10–30 ft), over rocky structure with crevices to explore, and visibility varies from day to day. The water runs 7–13 °C (45–55 °F) depending on the time of year, so extra thermal protection might be needed.
Where it is and how deep
No published position for this site — the map shows Morro Bay & Port San Luis and its other sites; operators know the mooring.
The dive
The kelp beds run along the coast just past Cayucos beside Highway 1, and there are a lot of them: the kelp here is thick and healthy. Depths are shallow, at about 3–9 m (10–30 ft), over rocky structure with crevices to explore. Visibility can vary from day to day.
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair |
Season follows Morro Bay & Port San Luis: No month stands out; the water ranges 7–13 °C with the time of year, and fast-changing weather decides which days the boat sites can be dived.
Know before you go
- Visibility can vary from day to day in the kelp.
- Water of 7–13 °C (45–55 °F) depending on the time of year; extra thermal protection might be needed.
- Weather along the Central Coast can change very quickly and should be a top concern.
Sources
- Coastal Dive Sites-Avila (Port San Luis) to Big Sur — Channel Islands Dive Adventures
More dive sites in Morro Bay & Port San Luis
Reef
A large rock topping out about 5 m under the surface
Reef
Surface-breaking rock in kelp with lingcod and rockfish at 6–15 m
Pinnacle
Large pinnacles off Point Buchon, from 8 m to past 30 m
Pinnacle
Pinnacle rising from about 37 m to within 6 m of the surface
Pinnacle
A large field of jagged pinnacle tops at around 6 m
Reef
Rocky ground to 15 m with lingcod, cabezon and kelp bass
Similar dives elsewhere
Sea lions in the kelp, and sevengill sharks in April
Kelp forest
Malaga Cove
Redondo, Palos Verdes & San Pedro · United States
Thick, shallow kelp forest over rock, full of fish
Shore dive on a 9 m cove inside a no-take marine reserve
Concrete steps into the first underwater park in the US