Scuba Diving - Target Rock - Morro Bay - California

Target Rock is located in Morro Bay in Central California. Target Rock itself is a little rock shadowed by the actual Morro Rock. It is a favorite among local divers and a must dive if your in the area (and conditions are nice). Its sheltered conditions make it a safe and fun diving location (great for new divers or certification dives). Morro Bay is surrounded by good restaurants and beautiful scenery. It is also one of the best locations in California to see Sea Otters, which often float only 10 feet off the shore.

Entry:
The entry is easy. You park your car climb over a couple rocks and your in the water. You literally park about 10 feet from where you enter the water. The rocks are pretty steep at Target Rock itself but about 100 yards into the bay there is a nice easy sloped entry (this is a neat diving spot too).

What's Under There:
Morro Bay is home to a nice variety of fish, invertebrates, plants, rock formations, and man made objects. Right off target in about 18 feet of water there are 3 or 4 large tractor tires that have now become small reefs. About 300 feet back in the bay from Target there is an awesome ship wreck reef and a large anchor. There are always fish at this site, look for large fish hiding in the eel grass above the wreck). There is kelp growing in a bunch of different places off Target Rock. There are usually senorita fish and tons perch.

Visibility and Conditions:
Visibility in the bay is anywhere from 0 to 30 feet. When you get to the site look in the water, if you can't see at least a few feet down, don't dive! The bay (unfortunately fairly often) can have virtually visibility of just a few inches, but I have dove many days with 15 - 20 feet visibility). It seems to average between 3 and 8 feet. The best time to hit the water is at high tide, the visibility usually gets a lot better at this time. Also, the months August, September, October, & November tend to have the best visibility (plus the kelp forest are largest during these months).

Tips and restrictions:
You must use a dive flag in the bay (while I have dove without one without problems, I have heard of others being sited). Don't dive across the channel (it was fun but the harbor patrol was waiting at my dive flag when I returned). Bring a knife (there is kelp and even more dangerous fishing line).

Find a buddy and guided dives:
If you looking for a buddy to dive in San Luis Obispo or Morro Bay with, I would love to dive with you. I am not an expert but I have dove the locations around here many times and could show you the ropes. Email me to see if I am available. If you looking for an actual guided dive, SLO Ocean Currents, the local dive shop, offers them for a fee. This is also a great shop to get tank fills, supplies.

Photos Taken at Target Rock

Here is a small selection of some photos I have taken while scuba diving at Target Rock. (click the thumbnails to enlarge the photos):