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NBM Dive Site Resource

Butterfly House

Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, United States

Butterfly House is a specifically named California dive destination documented by a current managing, operator, charter, training or community-mapped dive source.

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Historic Picture Placeholder

Historic Picture PlaceholderHistoric photograph pending research and rights review

WaterMarine

AccessCurrent shore access must be confirmed for parking, surf, protected-area rules, hours and local restrictions before entry.

ExperienceCertified divers with training and equipment matched to cold water, entry, depth, surge, current and visibility.

Maximum depthRoute-specific

Best seasonYear-round only when weather, water level, closures, park rules and operator availability permit.

VisibilityVariable; obtain a same-day local report for tide, swell, runoff, plankton and offshore weather.

Aquatic life at this dive site

What divers may encounter

Three reviewed connections are featured here. Sightings vary by season, conditions, and chance, so they are never guaranteed.

Defining habitat encounter

Giant Kelp

Macrocystis pyrifera

The current site guide describes dense kelp forest rising from deep boulder habitat. The canopy thickens seasonally and can reduce ambient light.

Robert Schwemmer, NOAA

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Likely reef-invertebrate encounter

California Hydrocoral

Stylaster californicus

The current site guide identifies hydrocorals as a principal attraction in the offshore kelp bed. View carefully without touching the fragile colonies.

Chad King / NOAA MBNMS

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Possible protected-mammal encounter

Harbor Seal

Phoca vitulina

Current site reports include harbor seals at Butterfly House. Encounters are never guaranteed; keep a respectful distance and never pursue wildlife.

nbasargin

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Site media

Photographs

Three views rotate from the published gallery on each visit.

Contributor media

Dive videos

Three featured video positions are reserved on every profile.

Dive-site video pending

Published reference location

Location map

The marker shows the public coordinates associated with this profile. Confirm current access, moorings, and departure details before the dive.

Published reference coordinates36.54162, -121.93279

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Map zoom level 6 of 11

Recent field observations

Diver-reported temperatures

Automatically checked observations from dives during the past 14 days. Three reports are visible at a time; scroll for more.

Automatically checked

No recent diver reports from the past 14 days

A report that passes the automatic checks will appear here with the dive date, diver’s display name, and temperatures at each depth.

Reports are automatically checked for plausible dates, depths, and temperatures. They are observations, not forecasts; confirm conditions before diving.

Why divers know this place

Highlights

Named local reef, wall, cove, wreck, pinnacle, structure or freshwater terrain documented by the cited source.

Before you arrive

Access notes

Access and conditions can change without notice. Obtain a current local or operator briefing and do not use this profile as a navigation waypoint.

Plan within your training

Conditions and hazards

Current, tide, surge, waves, boat traffic, entanglement, limited visibility, cold-water exposure and changing weather.

At the site

Facilities and support

Facilities are not guaranteed; confirm with the managing source or operator.

Independent resource notice

This record is a starting point for independent verification. Access, closures, moorings, weather, currents, depth, visibility, operator availability, and site conditions can change without notice. Confirm current information with the responsible operator, property owner, managing authority, or another qualified local source before planning or attempting a dive.