What Is Dive Central and What Does It Offer?

Dive Central is a Monterey Bay dive charter operator running the Escapade, a custom-built 38-foot dive boat certified for 20 divers. It takes recreational divers to premier sites in Monterey and Carmel Bay, with weekend trips scheduled year-round and midweek, night, or guided trips available by prior arrangement. You bring all your own gear and tanks; the boat provides beverages, snacks, and crew.

The Boat: Escapade

• 38-foot Canaveral, certified for 20 divers
• Cruises at up to 20 knots, which shortens travel time to dive sites
• Safety and navigation equipment: GPS, radar, radio, first aid, and oxygen
• Crew includes an experienced skipper, crew, and dive masters
• Unsupervised buddy diving is allowed — you and your buddy plan and run your own dives

Site selection depends on weather and ocean conditions on the day, so the exact sites are chosen for safety and conditions rather than fixed in advance.

What's Provided vs. What You Bring

Gear must be brought aboard in soft bags only.

Trip Types and Schedule

• Weekend trips — scheduled year-round; check the schedule for departure times
• Midweek trips, night dives, and tour-guided trips — available upon prior arrangement
• Specialty trips — underwater guides, instruction, private groups, extended trips; pricing on request

Rates and Booking

• Scheduled trips: $135 per person for a 2-tank dive in Monterey or Carmel
• Full payment is required to confirm a booking
• Book online, at selected dive shops, or through Dive Central
• A waiver form is available to download

Cancellation Policy

• Customer cancellations may be rescheduled if notice is given at least 72 hours before the scheduled trip
• If Dive Central cancels a confirmed trip due to weather or mechanical failure, it will be rescheduled or refunded

Where to Meet and When to Arrive

• Departures are from the "K" Dock at the Monterey Marina, just to the right of the public boat ramp next to the Harbormaster's office
• Traveling south on Highway 1: take the Del Monte/Monterey exit, follow Del Monte to the Old Fisherman's Wharf parking lot entrance
• Arrive 30 minutes before departure to assemble gear and suit up before boarding
• Parking is available in the Fisherman's Wharf lot (metered or ticketed); the unloading area is at the top of "K" dock

Who Runs It

Dive Central is owned and operated by Jim and Beverly Capwell. Contact: local (831) 247-9177, or email Jim directly at [email protected]. Mailing address: 820 Bay Avenue, Ste 200, Capitola, CA 95010.

This is a good fit if you're a certified diver with your own gear who wants flexible buddy diving from a fast, small-group boat on Monterey/Carmel sites. Look elsewhere if you need rental gear or tanks included, or you want a fully guided dive on every trip without arranging it in advance.