We have found our Monterey boat. Capt. MaryJo has a stellar set up, a great smile, superb dive masters, and a 5 star operation. Today being our first trip, we were welcomed by crew and divers alike. She has a wonderful following of regulars you'll want to dive with again. Want nitrox? She's got it. Want to bring your own tank (why though)? Go for it! Cameras are welcome, and treated with care. Have all your techie gear? Bring it aboard. The divers aboard ranged from a rebreather diver to an instructor with a student and it was a wonderful mix we are looking forward to being a part of again. The bitty galley is well stocked for a small day boat, snacks and hot water for cider, cocoa, tea...if you're lucky MaryJo will have made brownies; hers have ruined all other brownies for me! Love this boat, her crew, and will be a repeat diver. read more

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First Class Service! Wonderful experience on the Beachhopper II. Staff was friendly and so helpful. First time I've ever had a dive guide hold open my fins so I could slide in my foot and put them around my heel! They even held our tank and guided us as we negotiated our way back to our set up spot after each dive. I felt that safety was a high concern for them as well as feeding us yummy treats - homemade coffee cake and brownies! With 9 divers on board, we had 3 staff - Capt. Mary Jo, Co. Capt Sean and dive guide Briana. Again, sooooo helpful. Bathroom on board and hot water shower for in-between dives! We also had a great group of people. For our group that doesn't dive cold water very often, everyone was really patient and not snobbish "I'm a better diver than you" mentality. Highly recommend boat dives in Monterey! read more

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I have had 3 days on Beachhopper II, over two weekends! I have spent plenty of time on dive boats that feel more like cattle boats, but everyone is trying their best to have a good time and the divemasters work their assess off to keep everyone moving and safe! The Beachhopper II is a very different kind of boat! It's a small boat but for some reason, you are missing nothing. It's very well run by very good captains, husband and wife team, Mary Jo and Brian! Their focus on safety is the best I have experienced on any boat. I have watched Mary Jo while some divers were still in the water, she can listen to the front of the boat where most divers surface and she can tell right away if there are any problems. She is quietly, listening to everything and watching everything. She misses nothing and her ability to place you exactly on the dive site is unbelievable. Brian is just as good as a captain and what impressed me about him was his very clear closed loop communication to make sure that safety is 100% assured. No matter what the conditions are, I feel very safe diving with either of them and the divemasters who they have on board. One of the divemasters is Keith, who is very passionate about saving kelp and repopulating kelp in areas where it was destroyed by the urchins and changing environment! To have someone like him as a divemaster is quite an honor. Not only you get him to help you and keep you safe on the boat, his dive briefings are really good, but you get to learn about the role that we play in protecting the environment. Now, because of what I have said before, a lot of the people on the boat are repeat customers who have become friends and as someone who never dove on the Beachhopper before, my wife and I felt like we were welcomed in a family, special community where everyone is kind and watches out for everyone. I feel that some of the people on board are becoming long term friends who I look forward to seeing and diving with again. This weekend, out of a bit of my stupidity, I have lost my camera rig at the bottom of the ocean. I was heartbroken and I didn't believe I will see it ever again. Everyone on board told me, don't worry, we will look for it and we will find it. I didn't believe it but they were so kind. The next morning I received a text message that my camera was retrieved by one of the divers on the Beachhopper, Mary Jo went to the site I lost my camera, the first dive, also communicated with the rest of the dive boats that we had a missing camera! I was really touched by that and so so grateful to get my camera back! Beachhopper II is a special place and I feel very lucky to become part of the community of divers. A family business, based on respect and human kindness, the very rare kind, nowadays! Oh, and Mary Jo's brownies are just heavenly, I eat more than my share every time! read more

Mary jo and her husband Brian are great people and helped our family with the spreading of ashes in the bay. Working with them was a very good experience. read more

DIVE VESSEL (4.5 stars) 2 tanks - $95 (they provide the ride out and the tanks only) Bring your own dive gear They say Monterey is a tough place to dive... it sure is!!! Boat diving vs Beach diving, boat diving are my favorites. K Doc is where all the dive boats do pick-up and drop-off. The BeachHopper II arrived on the dot and left on the dot (8am and 8:30am). Water can be cold, 7MM suite was perfectly fine! The vessel was fully loaded with 12 divers. Honestly, I felt uncomfortable with that many people as there was barely any room to prep your gear and change air tanks when everybody is trying to do it all at the same time. It is manageable but it is crammed. The boat ride wasn't as rocky as I thought it would be - 20 minutes and we were at our dive locations. Plenty of snacks and beverages for you to munch on between dives. The boat crew WAS AWESOME. They were helpful with helping you get off and on the boat wit your HEAVY dive gear. THE DIVES First dive we were at the D-cup site with massive kelp forest. Visibility and water clarity was JUNK. I could only see 5ft what is infront of me. We had used the anchor line to descend and going through the kelp to get to the bottom was a workout. I lost my dive-knife that was tightly strapped to my right calf (If anybody finds an OceanPro leg strap Spinner Knife 304 Grade Stainless Steel 2.55 inch blade - its mine and please return). We got to the bottom and visibility improved but I can literally only see less than 10 feet away and the clarity of the water had the green. Kind of disappointing but expected at Monterey. Second dive we were at the Octopus Rock site with less kelp and walls of rock formations at the bottom. There was little bit of current at the surface which took the energy out of me to move at the surface from south of the boat to north of the boat (with all the equipment and 20 pounds attached to my BCD), my dive partner had to back-tow me until I caught my energy. We descended using the anchor line and this dive was deeper and the waters were colder but it was not as difficult as the first dive. I saw a lot of random fish, lots of rock walls and so many big crabs. Unfortunately I didn't see octopus though it was expected to see them. I was hoping a sea-lion or whale would come through, but not this time around. Will I be back? All my logged dives at Monterey (regardless if it is beach or boat) has not been the best visibility and experience. It is much more expensive to dive in Monterey than it is in SoCal. These factors will not stop me from coming back to get more water time in. Until the next review... read more

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Cant say enough how great this outfit is ... live the dives, love the captain ... love the experience.. every time!

Love diving the Beach Hopper II!! Today we had the pleasure of working with Captain MaryJo and her husband, Brian. MaryJo is extremely knowledgable of the area and always makes sure all divers on board are taken care of every step of the way. I really appreciate the amount of care MaryJo and her crew -- whether it be Brian or someone else -- put into making sure everyone is comfortable and diving safely. It's certainly helpful to have extra eyes and ears on me while gearing up for and returning from each dive. Consistently a wonderful experience. I highly recommend making a reservation with them whenever you can! Also don't forget to bring cash for tipping the crew and pay for parking before you head out. All-day parking is currently $10. You could do a few hours, but why worry about rushing to leave? read more

Beachhopper II - Dive crew from today! Great group. - Scuba Diving Near Me - Monterey, California

Had a wonderful experience on the Beachhopper today! The captain and crew made sure everyone had a comfortable and safe dive. It was one of the best dives I've had in Monterey. Would highly recommend regardless of experience level and will definitely dive with them again. read more

What a great diving experience. I've been out a few times with this crew and there're awesome! They take you to great dive sites around Monterey and Carmel. The boat is stocked with a variety of snacks and drinks. If homemade treats like brownies, dive bars, or cookies are on board you must try some. They have been in the business for years. The crew is knowledgable about diving and care about your safety. One of my favorite things about the boat is the crew is very personable. They call you by name, help you with your dive gear, and make sure you have everything you need. This boat will always be my first choice if it is available. It's a smaller boat so make sure you make a reservation. Make sure to bring cash so you can tip the crew when you dock, they deserve it for all they do to make the trip memorable. read more

Beachhopper II - Scuba Diving Near Me - Monterey, California

Maryjo and Keith are topnotch, they took very good care of my party. I look forward to my next trip on the Beachhopper II. read more

Very impressed with Captain who charged a reasonable price to take us out to scatter loved one's ashes. Her weekend schedule was open for 9am or 1pm which I thought were great choices. She was accommodating to go to the location we specified. She gave us more than enough time to reflect in the vessel afterwards before starting the engine and returning to shore. Convenient pickup near harbormaster dock. read more

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I've been diving the Beach Hopper II for a few years now and will only dive another boat if the Hopper isn't running. It's a small family-run operation with some of the most knowledgeable staff in the business. If you're an experienced diver looking for challenging dives or a new diver who just got certified, the Beach Hopper II can accommodate you. It's a fun boat with a great crew. You couldn't do better. read more

A great boat! Beach Hopper II is a small dive-specific boat that runs out of "K" dock in Monterey. While she's smaller than the other boats, (four dive teams is a "crowd"), she makes up for it with a friendly atmosphere and a dive experience that's really focused on the interests and abilities of everyone. The crew goes out of their way to make you feel welcome, and because the number of passengers is small, they can provide the extras. The crew helped me on and off with my BC, checked my air, and even put on my fins. I haven't seen this level of service on a resort boat! The crew are more outgoing than on other boats, so I at least get to learn more about the activities around Monterey and the current state of diving. As a final note, the boat's captain makes great brownies. I wholeheartedly recommend this boat to all divers. read more

Beachhopper II--Awesome Super Friendly Staff/Professional Love Mary-Jo, your Captain for this boat ride to fun dive sites. Very knowledgable both in transporting divers but also Diving in general. I have more than 10 years of Diving experience; diving sporadically and I still make those fumbling mistakes. Mary-Jo kindly, in a big sister way helps you be prepared and sets you up for success in the water. That said, come prepared, bring your PADI cards and your gear. They certainly try to accommodate but they are not a spare parts boat. They treat you like an independent Diver making your own decisions. Beach hopper II, Mary-Jo, and Kim present a warm hospitality/hot water/quick snacks/ homemade baked goods that if not eaten go to Aquarius Dive shop (Not Glens Aquarious dive shop. Kim, your Dive Master, and So much more, is very willing to share local information He is very professional and all around a really nice guy. Both talked to us about the dive sites, there plan of communications pre and post dives. Really enjoyed there services. I will definitely use them again if traveling back to Monterey, CA read more

Captain Mary Jo was simply amazing! From pick up to drop off the experience was top notch! Very knowledge, provided any and all assistance as my wife and I prepared to dive! She went above and beyond as she tended to my seas sick wife! Couldn't of asked for a better birthday experience! Great service+Great Price=Returning customer! read more

The Beach Hopper 2 crew are excellent. We dove to Hopkins Deep and Chain Rock on April 22. The crew were very professional, very friendly, and very attentive to everyone's needs. Absolutely no "dive shop attitude". The skipper was incredibly helpful getting one of our dive team member's brand new equipment sorted out. All the experienced divers on our boat seemed to be devoted BH2 clients The regular dive boat price does not include tank rentals, so be sure to add that to your order when you sign up for trip. read more

I came fro So Cal to Monterey for a long weekend and brought my gear to Dive off the Beachhopper. I was super nervous even though I have 100s of So Cal beach dives- I didn't have a buddy and was concerned about wearing a 7mm in these cold temps. MaryJo and Kim took great care of me. From home made brownies, to very descriptive and thorough explanations of dive sites, to hot water showers on board between dives- this was hands down a great diving experience! Thanks so much for introducing me to Monterey diving! I had a wonderful time! read more

We used beach hopper II for a two-tank dive and it was fantastic! The crew were all super helpful and welcoming, even stopping off at the dive shop where we rented our gear from so that my colleague could pick up a piece of equipment that she forgot. They walked us through the dive sights ahead of time in great detail, and had hot water and food/ snacks on the boat complimentary. The captain, Mary-Jo was also so thoughtful and helpful... even helping me through some technical issues with my dive equipment once I was in the water. Their website is not the best and could use an update... the online reservation platform is a little cumbersome... but that is a minor issue, and you are honestly better off just calling Mary-Jo first anyway. All in all, Beach Hopper II made for a fantastic trip!!!! read more

I had a great time on the BeachHopper II.The skipper, Mary Jo, is very friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. All of the other divers on the boat were very experienced and were regular customers of the BH2. They were also very friendly. Importantly, the crew wanted to make sure that our group of 3 divers, who did not have as much experience as the others, felt very comfortable. They emphasized to us that we should take our time before jumping off the boat to avoid making mistakes. Mary Jo helped a member of our group with his new equipment and gave some very helpful advice. The fact that the crew can accommodate both very experienced and less experienced divers is a big plus, in my opinion. Mary Jo also provided home-made desserts which were great. The Friday availability is great for those who want to avoid the large weekend crowds in Monterey. I highly recommend this boat! read more

The Beachhopper II is very knowledgeable about knowing where the best sites are for the conditions. The Captain Mary Jo is a master of anchoring above cool reefs. Kim the safety swimmer helps you get your fins on and checks to see if your in order and hoses connected. They meet at the dock and parking is easy and only $8 if you go into the Harbor Master Office right next to where we load. They also have inexpensive tank rentals already on the boat if you book on their booking system. They're the bomb! read more

My son and I went diving with Maryjo and Kim last Friday, my birthday. I have never dived on the Beachhopper before but have known of the captain and her boat for years. We had a wonderful and comfortable day. Maryjo was so friendly and helpful with my son regarding his weighting and overall diving comfort, I could not thank her enough. Crew member Kim was friendly, informative and very helpful with all of us getting in and out of the boat. Thank you Maryjo for giving my son more confidence about his diving. Maryjo's brownies, soup and teas gave all of us some warmth and friendship. A wonderful day overall. read more

Best dive boat, captain, and crew in Monterey bar none!!! I've been diving the beach hopper for the last 1.5 yrs since I took a 25 yr hiatus. I was trained in the tropics so Monterey diving was definitely more challenging. Mary Jo, Derek, Josh, Keith, Bob, Kim, and Alex always made me feel safe and we're always ready to assist when I needed it. I'd always book with them first before looking at other charters. One time I dropped my camera during a night dive. Mary Jo took us back to the same site the next morning and lo and behold within 5 mins one of the divers found my camera!!! And don't forget to try the brownies. They are deadly delicious!!! read more

I have been diving with Mary Jo since 2011. If you have been on this boat before then you already know. If not, give it a try, you will thank me. read more

The Beachhopper is just a great dive operation and really takes care of you. Captain Mary Jo is so accommodating and makes sure that everything runs top notch. She even bakes homemade cookies and brownies! The boat is a really nice dive boat that accommodates 10 divers with plenty of room. I also want to shout out to Kim, the divemaster. He is just the best! Excellent dive briefing and then tends to all the divers and makes sure that everyone gets what they expect out of the dive. Also, the price is quite reasonable so we really felt like the 2 days we were diving on the Beachhopper was a great value! read more

The captian is great and have nothing but good dive days on this boat. Also some really great cookies!

Diving off the boat is always a lot of fun Mary Jo is an awesome captain. Her whole crew is fantastic. Always very helpful and very good dive sites they are very accommodating for everyone. She makes very good brownies. If you want a fun time dive off the Beachhopper11. Thanks for the awesome diving. read more

Fantastic service. Quick to respond to email, fair prices, everything was ready on time, everyone was kind, helpful, and accommodating of our needs. As perfect anyone could have hoped; couldn't have asked for a better experience! read more

I've dived with Beachhopper II about a half dozen times over the years. The boat and crew are great.

The dive master we "paid" for didn't even want to be there (from overhearing him talking to someone else). He was no help-no checking over equiptment-no overview of dive- to my children who obviously were fresher divers. He was rude when my older son needed more weight on his weight belt. He had no extra advice or concern for us in the 6+ swells and 10 or less visibility. He was in a hurry and left divers behind and for my family who tried hard to keep up, he didn't care about stopping and looking at the sea life. I was caught off guard by the diving conditions and by the treatment by the dive master so I didn't dive the second dive and the boat captain/owner was also rude and stood behind her dive master. Well that's her prerogative if she is fine with not having a return customer. I thought doing a boat dive would be easier on my kids vs. a shore dive but with this company and after $500 for this type of service-never never again.....!!! read more