Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

It'd be nearly impossible to visit the Monterey Peninsula and not catch a glimpse of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This sanctuary encompasses the area's entire coastline, starting just north of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge and stretching 276 miles south to Cambria, California. The MBNMS is one of the largest national marine sanctuaries in the continental United States, covering 6,094 square miles, larger than Yellowstone National Park. It also contains one of the largest underwater canyons in North America, which local dive shops offer to help visitors explore.

A Marine Life Haven

Year-Round Marine Sightings

The sanctuary is home to a diverse range of marine life, including sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, porpoises, whales, and seabirds. Since its establishment in 1992, the area's strong protections have led to frequent and active marine sightings, both from land and sea.

Whale Watching Adventures

For a closer look at marine life, book a chartered birdwatching cruise to observe waterfowl, waders, seabirds, and shorebirds. Alternatively, join one of the many whale watching excursions that depart daily from the Monterey harbor. Whale watching is a year-round activity. From January to March, you'll see gray whales and dolphins, while from April to December, humpback whales, blue whales, orcas, and dolphins are more prevalent. Whale watching trips fill up quickly, but the likelihood of encountering these magnificent creatures is high.

Marine life sightings are also frequent from land, especially during pupping season between March and June. During this time, harbor seals come to the beaches to give birth and raise their pups. Visitors must follow the sanctuary's rules and keep a safe distance from the seals to ensure their protection.

Tide Pool Exploration

Swimming is possible in some of the calmer coves, such as Lovers Point, but the water is generally very cold and riptides are common. A great alternative to swimming is exploring the tide pools. Asilomar State Beach and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park's beach offer ideal tide pooling locations. The rocky outcroppings create natural aquariums that allow visitors to peer into an underwater world without getting wet. For more information about tide predictions and parking, visit the sanctuary's website.