Point Lobos Trail Map
The trail maps are split into two sections, one for above water line ups and the second for underwater navigation. For the above water line ups we have a reference picture that can be used in conjunction with the directions. For the underwater navigation it is recommended that you print out the underwater maps that are available and relate them to the directions when locating the sites.
For divers new to Whaler’s Cove, it is highly recommended to take a short walk up the trail at the end of the parking lot to the top of the bluff overlooking the Cove. This is an excellent vantage point to assess conditions, likely visibility, and particularly the kelp delineating the Sand Channel. The kelp situation is highly variable from season to season. In the winter, storms wash much of the kelp out of the cove. As it starts to re-grow in the spring, the Sand Channel is clearly visible. However, by late summer, kelp can almost entirely cover the Sand Channel although usually some part is still visible. The Sand Channel is a primary reference point for all dives.
Birds eye view of Whalers Cove and the kelp coverage
Viewpoint from the top of the cove looking down at all of the common dive sites
Locating Worm Patch from the Surface
To Locate Worm Patch from the Surface Surface kick north from the boat ramp following the kelp-free water channel which runs north/south through the cove and roughly parallel to the parking lot and cliff.
Continue along this water channel until you align with the center of Dog Rock to the west, the southern tip of Cole Chute Cove to the east; approximately 100 ft from Dog Rock. Dog Rock looks like the head of a Sharpei or a wrinkly Beagle and is the last rocky promontory along the Whaler Cove parking lot.
Descend approximately 2 minutes to a depth of 28 feet – 30 feet (tide dependent) to the top of a brown dome shaped worm mound distinguishable by a distinct texture created by tunneling worms (brown and squiggly). That is the Worm Patch.
The Sand Channel forms a main north/south navigation artery. The Sand Channel can be identified by sparse kelp growth, sand bottom and distinctive sand ripples.
If you miss the Worm Patch and descend into the Sand Channel, then simply kick back south along the Sand Channel to locate the Worm Patch and orientate.
Locating End of Middle Reef from the Surface
To locate the End of Middle Reef from the Surface position so that all of the following are true:
Look westward at 280 degrees on the compass, you will see the last rock, which happens to be called Bird Rock.
Look westward at 270 degree on the compass, to see a smaller rock in between and at 260 degrees there is another rock just slightly smaller than Bird Rock.
Look eastward at 80 degrees on the compass to see the Big Thumb.
At 100 degrees line up two trees. Moving the compass to 120 degrees you will see the bench that hikers sit on.
Locating Hole in the Wall from the Surface
To locate Hole In the Wall from the surface (above on the 60’ contour extending between HITW and Middle Reef):
Looking south back into Whalers’ Cove, line up the cabin with the tip of the point overlooking the cove. This is the point reached via steps and small trail from the parking lot at Whaler’s Cove.
From this view, turn to the right. There will be a rock structure that from this angle appears to be continuous (although they are multiple rocks at different distances). At the left edge of this, there are two distinct vertical bumps or spikes. On the hillside in the distance there are two sets of trees that can be seen with completely bare trunks (they stand out pretty well). One of them is a single tree (one trunk) and the other has two trunks. The single tree can be lined up with the left most spike on the rock structure and the double trunks can be lined up with the spike to its right.
Combine these with putting the cabin over the edge of the point and you can drop pretty reliably to the kelp covered rock just east of HITW. HITW is just to the west behind the kelp covered rock.
Locating Granite Point Wall from the Surface
Swim out toward the mouth of Whaler's Cove until you are even with the last large rock face to your east. The peak of that rock face should be bearing 85° magnetic (98° true). If there is any giant kelp then you will be right at the edge of the kelp line.
For confirmation look southeast toward the small cove between Granite Point and Coal Chute Point; line up the last big offshore rock on the Granite Point side of that cove mouth with the large gap in the trees on the Coal Chute Point side bearing 125° magnetic (138° true).
Drop there and you should be near the west side of Granite Point Wall.
Sand Channel/Worm Patch to HITW Dive
Descended within the Sand Channel just to the north of Worm Patch.
Follow the Sand Channel (which was about 15' wide) in a northward direction moving perpendicular to the sand ripples. You will see a rock (~5x5feet) with a single Macrocystis kelp growing from it in the middle of the Sand Channel. From this point on the Sand Channel begins widening. Passing the rock, veer slightly west while continuing on the northward heading.
Within about 7 minutes of descent, depth changes from approximately 35’- 40', pass over a cobbly area with algae. A large rocky reef structure will come into view on your left.
Keeping the structure on your left, cross over a patch of either Bull Kelp or Pterygophora at about 43'. Residents of this patch included Kelp rockfish and Olive/Yellowtail rockfish. Round a small rocky point to continue N.
At about 44’ a sandy road leads off almost perpendicularly to the left. Stay on N course.
Hole in the Wall
End of Middle Reef to Granite Point Wall and Return
Position on the surface at the end of Middle Reef. See surface positioning.
Dropping down you should be about 20’ north of the end of Middle Reef in about 65’ fsw.
Take a 60 degree northeast heading on the compass toward Granit Point Wall. By scooter, it takes about 5 minutes to arrive at Granite Point Wall. The distance from the end of the Middle Reef to Granite Point Wall was 92 meters (300ft).
Before arriving, you will see several worm patches that run northwest and are landmarks to observe along the way. You will also see a few of the many car tires that are submerged after many years. There is much life grown on these tires, so, removing them would destroy a critter’s home.
Explore the wall going northwest at about 60-65 ft. It is covered with sponges, nudibranchs and soft corals. The top of the wall has kelp growing on it. The length of Granite Point Wall is approximately 77 meters (253ft)
When returning, at about 60-65ft going southwest at approximately 300 degrees on the compass, we saw the worm patches, and shortly after, the end of the Middle Reef. There are several big rocks that appear before getting to the end of the Middle Reef.
End of Middle Reef to Hole in the Wall Traverse
Turn back to the south (with the reef on your left) and come back to around 60 fsw.
Follow the 60ft contour WSW (250ish degrees) and to hit Hole in the Wall reef after about a minute of steady frog kicking.
To identify the location of HITW, look for a freestanding rock just off the wall to the east about 5-8 feet high from the bottom that has kelp growing on it.
Free Standing Rock - looking from Hole in the Wall
Hole in the Wall to Lone Metridium
Not recommend for someone new to the area especially in low visibility.
Follow the Hole in The Wall structure until it ends.
Continue on in the same direction. After a couple of feet you should see The Bump. The starting point of the bump is a glacis (natural slope).
Follow the left side of The Bump until you see an obtuse angle on the wall of the bump. At that point, head west until you hit another structure.
Take time and depth, you will need it to go back to this point especially in low visibility.
Follow the edge of the structure with the structure on your left, staying at a depth of approximately 60 feet of water, until you hit a corner.
The Lone Metridium is just around that corner. The bottom of that structure is approximately 70’.
Lone Metridium to Hole in the Wall:
Go back following the edge of the structure and kick for the amount of time it took you to get to the corner of Lone Metridium structure.
Head East to go back to The Bump.
Follow the edge of The Bump south towards the Hole in The Wall reef.
At the end of The Bump, continue in the same direction. If you're close to the bottom, you should see a rock with an anemone on it. Stick to the left side of the rock and follow the structure to Hole in The Wall.
Lone Metridium Open
Lone Metridium Closed
Hole in the Wall (HITW) to Sea Mount
Sea Mount is a boxcar shaped rock structure with vertical sides. It is nicely decorated on all surfaces. Sea Mount is located in a sparse kelp forest with the kelp attached to boulders scattered in the sand. While direct navigation on a bearing from HITW is possible, it is easy to get off-course and miss it. A more reliable path is to follow the boundary of the kelp forest along the sand described below:
Proceed in a northerly direction from HITW keeping the kelp and rocks on your left and the sand on your right. The depth will start at about 60 feet at HITW and descend as you trend north.
When you reach 88 feet, turn west into the kelp and rocks. Sea Mount is about 25 kicks to the west.
To return to HITW, reverse the directions.
Nearby Features: Beto’s Reef and Three Sisters
Sea Mount