Things to do nearMonterey Canyon

Monterey Canyon is a submarine canyon of remarkable scale, stretching roughly 95 miles across the floor of the Pacific and reaching depths approaching 11,800 feet. Its head begins just off Moss Landing in the heart of Monterey Bay, making it one of the few canyons of its size that starts so close to shore. Geologists believe it formed over millions of years through a combination of erosion and tectonic activity, and its walls reveal layer upon layer of ancient sediment.

The canyon drives the ecological richness of the entire region. Cold, deep water rises along its flanks in a process called upwelling, delivering nutrients that feed dense blooms of phytoplankton. This abundance ripples up the food chain, supporting anchovies, salmon, sea otters, and the largest animals on the planet. Researchers from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute have used remotely operated vehicles to document extraordinary deep-sea life here, from bioluminescent jellies to rarely seen squid.

For visitors, the canyon is best experienced from the water. Whale watching trips departing from nearby Moss Landing Harbor District regularly encounter humpbacks, blue whales, and orcas feeding directly above the canyon's head. Pelagic birding trips attract enthusiasts hoping to spot shearwaters, albatross, and storm-petrels far offshore.

Few natural features anywhere on the California coast concentrate so much wild, visible life in one accessible location, making Monterey Canyon a destination that rewards every curious traveler who ventures out onto the water.