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Operator dive page with depth, current, visibility, and site-planning guidance.
Dive Spot Guide•
Farnsworth Banks
Deep offshore Catalina pinnacle with hydrocoral and big marine life.
Local operator required
Boat access, depth management, and current calls are best handled by an experienced Catalina operator.
Boat-only advanced dive off Catalina with a deep pinnacle profile, purple hydrocoral, and an autumn window that usually gives the best conditions.
About Farnsworth Banks
Farnsworth Banks is a deep offshore Catalina pinnacle with purple hydrocoral, vertical relief, and the kind of open-ocean diving that rewards disciplined gas planning. It is a boat-only site for experienced divers, and the best days combine calm seas, clear water, and a slow pass over the rock. Sea lions, barracuda, electric rays, and big black sea bass are the usual draw, with the hydrocoral fields making the site a California classic.
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Research Estimate At Farnsworth Banks
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 12m
AccessChallenging entry effort
CoralPristine, vibrant coral
Aquatic LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesLimited facilities
Crowd / PopularityModerate
CurrentStrong current
SurgeModerate surge
Where Is Farnsworth Banks?
This spotNearby spotsExplore nearby spots on the map
Community sourced coordinates.
Farnsworth Banks Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
18m - 46m
Depth Note
The top starts around 18-20 m, most dives work around 27-33 m, and some guides cite maximum depth beyond 46 m.
Best Season
August to November.
Typical Conditions
Open-ocean pinnacle diving with steep relief, current on the reef edge, and variable visibility.
Safety & Access At Farnsworth Banks
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Boat trafficStrong currentSurge
Safety Notes
Treat it as a deep open-ocean dive, descend and ascend on the line, and keep gas and turn pressures conservative.
Access Restrictions
Boat access only; open-ocean conditions can be rough, so this is not a casual drop-in dive.
Legal Notes
The bank is an ecological reserve, so dive planning should respect reserve rules and anchor discipline.
Local Intel For Farnsworth Banks
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
This is a deep boat dive that rewards conservative gas planning, line discipline, and a slow pass over the pinnacle and wall sections.
Freediving
Not a freedive target; the useful structure sits too deep and the open ocean makes it impractical.
Snorkeling
Not a snorkel target; the site value sits well below the surface and it is run as a boat dive.
Wildlife at Farnsworth Banks
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Farnsworth Banks
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Farnsworth Banks
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility12m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
