Stillwater Cove

Stillwater Cove is a south-facing protected cove inside the Pebble Beach resort property, with the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links wrapping the north side of the water. Pescadero Point marks the cove's south end and anchors the northern boundary of the Carmel Bay SMCA. The bottom inside the cove is sand with rock outcrops throughout, running from 10 to 40 feet, and healthy giant kelp and stalked kelp grow on the outcrops. Pescadero Rocks lie just outside the cove and see use by experienced divers as a surface-swim extension on calm days. The cove is one of the few protected south-facing entries on the outer peninsula, and it has been a Monterey Peninsula scuba and freediving destination for decades.

Rock outcrops rising from the sand throughout the cove form a rocky reef biome. The healthy giant kelp anchored on those outcrops is a kelp forest biome. The Carmel Bay SMCA extends 2.7 miles down the shoreline to Monastery Beach and reaches depths of 471 feet, though shore divers at Stillwater work the shallower cove structure. Scuba, freediving, snorkeling, and kayaking are the main uses. Boat and kayak traffic within the cove is real; the Pebble Beach Harbor Master operates a small pier on the water, and golf-course events can close cove access on tournament days.

Access is through the 17 Mile Drive gate through Pebble Beach, with a $10.50 per-vehicle entry fee that is refundable with a $35 or greater purchase at a Pebble Beach restaurant, excluding Pebble Beach Market, or waived for hotel guests. The cove has 6 reservable beach-access parking spots, bookable up to 14 days in advance through the Pebble Beach Harbor Master. The beach has 2 all-gender restrooms with hot showers. Recreational finfish take by any legal method except poke-pole is permitted within the Carmel Bay SMCA, so spearfishing is allowed; invertebrate take is prohibited.