Aumentos Reef

Metridim anemone

If you look at a chart of Monterey, Point Pinos stands out as the prominent landmark. Divers, of course, don’t call the large reef offshore “Pinos Reef,” but “Chase Reef.” Look a little closer and there are three, separate reef systems: Inner Chase, Outer Chase, and Outer, Outer Chase Reef. However, the farthest offshore and more interesting of the three goes by the name “Aumentos.”

Aumentos is Spanish for “the enlargement,” a very descriptive name for this massive piece of reef. The bottom offshore of Pacific Grove is for the most part a rock and sand bottom that slopes gently from about 60 feet down to over 120 feet. As one approaches the shore, the flat bottom juts up from about 85 feet to about 40 feet in a massive wall.

The top of the reef is covered with a thick carpet of Corynactis anemones. Some patches are bright red, others are orange, and still others are a beautiful lavender. Between the patches of Corynactis are colonies of bryozoans, yellow zoanthid anemones, and patches of brightly colored sponges. This is the place to look for the unusual. Look for chestnut cowries among the sponges or dirona nudibranchs feeding on bryozoans.

Lingcod

Every square inch of rock is covered with some form of encrusting invertebrate. In fact, it is difficult to find any exposed rock at all. This need not be a deep dive, as the most colorful parts of the reef are shallower than 60 feet.

As the reef drops a bit deeper, the walls are covered with fluffy, white Metridium anemones that cover the vertical surfaces of the rock walls. Deeper rocks are spotted with bright red Telia anemones and encrusting sponges. Between the anemones and rocks are plenty of fish, but not much worth spearing. This is a great place to look and photograph marine life, not hunt it. Big schools of small blue rockfish can often be seen swimming just off the reef, and surf perch and rockfish may be found on the reef itself. Lingcod, cabezon, and sheephead are frequently seen here. During their northerly migration, gray whales often pass close to shore here, so always keep a lookout into blue water, you never know what will find you here.

On the inshore side the reef drops off in steps to 50 to 55 feet and remains at this depth until one encounters Inner Chase Reef. The shallow area is composed of massive, square angled blocks that create a broken ridge top. This is a fun area to explore with deep cracks and valleys. The structure of the reef reminds me of what it would be like to soar along city skyscrapers.

Check out the flamboyant Aumentos Reef on your next trip to Monterey, and see if the reef lives up to its “massive” name. Would Aumentos be a lesser dive if you called it by another name? What would you name it?

Dive Spot At-A-Glance

Location: Approximately 1/2 mile offshore of Pacific Grove, Monterey Bay.
Access and Entry: Boat dive only. Small boats may be launched from the Monterey Breakwater or kayaks from the Coral Street Beach. To locate the reef, start way out and line up the fork in the large cypress tree near the foot of Esplanade Street with the intersection of Esplanade Street and Shell Avenue (first fork in Esplanade). Motor on this lineup until the bottom begins to rise up. Those with GPS may find it at 36° 38.319' N, 121° 55.273’ W.
Depths: 40 to 90 feet.
Visibility: Good, 15 to 40 feet.
Skill level: Intermediate or better.
Photography: Great wide-angle of reef scenes; great macro for corynactis, nudibranchs and other invertebrates.
Hazards: Watch for currents and boat traffic.
Dive Charter Boat: Monterey Express - 888-422-2999