Diving in Northern California
Quick Facts
- • Entry types: Mostly shore entries
- • Expect: Varies by conditions visibility
- • Highlights: Discover Northern California's dive spots
Explore the underwater wonders of Northern California, ecoregion. This region features 34 documented dive spots, each offering unique underwater experiences. Whether you're seeking calm snorkeling bays, challenging freediving depths, or exciting scuba adventures, Northern California has something for every underwater explorer. Browse detailed spot information, check current conditions from recent dive logs, and connect with the local diving community to make the most of your visit.
Regional Context
🏛️ Marine Hierarchy
🌍 Associated Countries
Countries in Northern California (1)
Popular Spots in Northern California (34)
Anchor Bay
Anchor Bay offers a straightforward shore entry from a private campground, leading divers to a site characterized by rocky terrain teeming with marine life. The northern section of the bay is particularly rich in biodiversity, making it suitable for underwater hunting. Common species include Rockfish, Lingcod, Cabezon, and various nudibranchs, typical of the Northern California coastal ecosystem.
Aumentos Pinnacle
Aumentos Pinnacle features a prominent underwater structure with its highest point reaching approximately 12 meters. The offshore side presents a steep granite wall that descends vertically to about 18 meters, continuing to a more gradual slope at depths of 24 to 26 meters. On the inshore side, the reef descends in steps to depths of 15 to 17 meters, maintaining this depth until it meets Chase Reef. Marine life at this site includes nudibranchs, ling cod, kelp fish, rock fish, wolf eels, cabezon, strawberry anemones, as well as seals and sea lions.
Bamboo Reef Pool
Bamboo Reef Pool is a heated outdoor training facility located at the Bamboo Reef Dive Center in San Francisco's SOMA district. It is conveniently situated one block from the Caltrain Station, making it accessible via various transportation options. The pool features training aids such as colorful soft weight beanbags, rubber torpedoes, blown glass marbles, PVC speleothems, and spools attached to inflated SMBs, providing a diverse environment for skill development.
Bass Lake
Bass Lake is an inland dive site located in Northern California, characterized by its easy shore entry and a gently sloping bottom. The lake is home to various fish species, including trout, kokanee salmon, bluegill, catfish, and crappie. Notably, larger fish have been caught in this area, making it an interesting spot for divers. The site is suitable for open water training and novice divers due to its accessible conditions.
Black Miners Bar State Park
Black Miners Bar State Park is a freshwater dive site located in Lake Natoma, California. This site is known for its easy shore access and calm conditions, making it suitable for beginner divers to enhance their skills. While visibility may not be optimal, divers can expect to encounter some freshwater fish species, including bass, catfish, and carp. It is advisable to avoid disturbing the bottom to maintain visibility during dives.
Box Beach, Electra
Box Beach, located at Electra, features an average depth of 12 feet, with a maximum depth of 19 feet during low river conditions. Access to the site is via a shore entry from the parking lot, leading down to a sandy beach. Notable features include a picnic table and a rock used historically by Native Americans for acorn processing. The sandy bottom quickly descends to 19 feet, where it meets a granite wall. The area is home to various freshwater species, including Rainbow Trout, Crayfish, and California river clams, surrounded by oak trees.
Breakwater Cove
Breakwater Cove is a well-known dive site favored for Open Water training due to its calm waters and straightforward shore entry. The site is conveniently located within a short walking distance from parking, and there is a dive shop nearby for air fills. Divers can expect to encounter a diverse array of marine life, including large metridium anemones, strawberry anemones, various sea stars, numerous nudibranchs, as well as shrimp, crabs, and shells. Additionally, sea lions, seals, otters, and sunfish are often spotted in the area, contributing to the rich biodiversity of this site.
Doran Beach
Doran Beach offers a straightforward shore entry leading into a spacious sandy bay. The southern section features a rock jetty, frequented by fishermen. This area is typically sheltered by headlands, resulting in minimal surge. Visibility can often be limited, and currents are generally mild. Divers should avoid the boat channel. The site is particularly noted for its diverse crab population, including Dungeness, red, rock, kelp, and hermit crabs. The jetty also provides habitat for various fish species, such as cabezon, lingcod, monkeyface eels, and rockfish.
Fair Oaks Bridge
Fair Oaks Bridge offers a unique diving experience with a depth range of 20 to 25 feet. Visibility can vary between 10 and 15 feet, influenced by the flow from the Folsom Dam outlet. During the summer months, the river experiences a strong current, making it an ideal location for drift diving. Marine life includes common inland lobsters, also known as crawfish, as well as small and large mouth bass. Divers may also spot the elusive I-Phone-Fish if they pay close attention.
Fallen Leaf Lake
Fallen Leaf Lake is situated at an elevation of 6,300 feet and is located approximately 15 minutes from Lake Tahoe, making it a suitable site for altitude diving within the Tahoe Basin. The underwater environment features ancient trees, some of which remain standing, creating a unique landscape for divers. Caution is advised as the lakebed can be quite silty, which may affect visibility.
Fannette Island
Fannette Island requires boat access for divers. Upon arrival, divers typically anchor on the shallow side and begin their descent. A counterclockwise route around the island reveals large boulders and a variety of fish species. The dive concludes with a gentle slope, ideal for a dynamic safety stop. Night dives are particularly rewarding, as they attract a greater number of fish.
Folsom Point
Folsom Point is located at Folsom Lake, a popular freshwater diving location in California known for its calm waters, making it suitable for open water training. The site features a silty bottom, which can significantly reduce visibility from 20-30 feet to zero if buoyancy control is not maintained. Divers can encounter various freshwater fish species, including trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and spotted bass, which are accustomed to the presence of divers. Entry to the site is from the shore, providing easy access for divers.
Fort Ross
Fort Ross offers a beach entry that can be challenging, particularly if there is surge from the ocean. Once in the water, divers can explore to the northwest where a series of pinnacles and the remains of an old wreck are located, although penetration of the wreck is not advised. Heading south, divers will encounter rock walls. The pinnacles are adorned with metridium anemones and are home to diverse marine life, including lingcod, cabezon, and various rockfish. Additionally, the area is rich in colorful nudibranchs.
Gerstle Cove State Park
Gerstle Cove is situated within Salt Point State Park, approximately 45 minutes from Jenner, California. This site features a rocky beach with a designated loading area located above the water. Visitors must park in the designated parking lot, and there are seasonally maintained restroom and shower facilities available. The cove is a no-take area, which contributes to a diverse and thriving kelp ecosystem. Divers can expect to encounter a variety of marine life, including anemones, nudibranchs, lingcod, and rockfish, making it a rich environment for underwater exploration.
Hurricane Bay
Hurricane Bay is accessible from the shore, located conveniently near the highway. The dive site features a shelf that quickly descends into deeper waters. At a depth of around 60 feet, divers can explore a sunken sailboat, which is one of the few wrecks in the Tahoe area that can be reached from the shore.
Lester Beach
Lester Beach, located near D.L. Bliss State Park, provides access to a unique dive site via shore entry. Divers can explore a prominent shelf that leads to the Rubicon Wall, which is characterized by large boulders and a significant underwater wall. This site offers a perspective of Rubicon Point that is typically only reachable by boat, making it an excellent option for shore diving enthusiasts.
Lovers Point
Lovers Point offers a sandy shore entry that leads to a dive site with moderate depths. Divers can expect to encounter rock formations extending straight out from the beach, which are home to a variety of fish species. To the north, there are notable pinnacles. The marine reserve status of this area supports a rich diversity of marine life, including rockfish, lingcod, cabezon, and surf perch. Additionally, the site features a variety of invertebrates, such as encrusting sponges.
Meeks Bay
Meeks Bay is a notable dive site located on Lake Tahoe, characterized by its easy shore entry and a gradual slope that descends to significant depths. The water is clear and cold, providing excellent visibility for divers. The underwater environment features a variety of old trees, tree limbs, crawdads, and small fish, along with numerous rocks. This site is suitable for both beginner and advanced divers due to its accessible entry and diverse underwater landscape.
Metridium Fields
Metridium Fields is characterized by rocky outcroppings that are densely populated with white Metridium anemones, resembling flowers on stalks. Divers can navigate to this site by following a prominent large pipe until it terminates, then proceeding north for a brief distance to reach the fields. The area is home to a diverse range of marine species, including rockfish, cabazon, lingcod, kelp greenlings, octopus, squid, and various nudibranchs.
Monastery Beach
Monastery Beach features a high sand dune and loose gravel, with strong waves impacting the area. Divers typically enter from the northern side, navigating around the wash rock. The dive begins in approximately 30 to 40 feet of water, following the kelp outline. A heading of 350 degrees leads to the start of a trench, where divers can follow the contour line at various depths. The underwater environment includes a kelp and rock reef, home to a variety of marine life such as rockfish, nudibranchs, sea cucumbers, lingcod, and cabezons.
Monterey Bay
Monterey Bay is designated as a marine sanctuary, offering a variety of dive sites along its coastline. The area is accessible from the shore, making it suitable for divers of all experience levels. Newer divers can find easy entry points, while more experienced divers can explore deeper waters located close to the shore. The nutrient-rich environment supports diverse marine life, including sea lions, seals, sea otters, various kelpfish, urchins, and an abundance of starfish and anemones.
Otter Cove
Otter Cove offers an easy shore entry for divers. Conditions can become challenging if the swell is unfavorable. The site features extensive kelp forests directly offshore, providing straightforward navigation for divers. Once within the kelp, divers can explore the edges, which are rich in marine life. Common species include various kelp fish such as rockfish and surf perch, along with occasional sightings of lingcod and numerous crabs. Divers may also encounter nudibranchs and have the chance to see larger marine mammals like sea lions and seals.
Point Lobos State Reserve
Point Lobos State Reserve offers divers access to Bluefish Cove, which can be reached via a lengthy swim from the ramp or through a monthly boat charter. The site is known for its diverse marine life, including large sheepshead, various rockfish, and vibrant strawberry anemones. Divers can also observe rock crabs, cup corals, and sponges within the kelp forest environment. The underwater landscape is characterized by rich biodiversity, making it a notable dive site for those interested in marine ecosystems.
Rubicon Point
Rubicon Point is accessible from the shore at Lester Beach, located near D.L. Bliss State Park. The site features large boulders and submerged trees, providing a habitat for various marine life. Divers can expect to see schools of minnows and the occasional trout in this area. Parking is available for $10 cash only.
San Carlos Beach
San Carlos Beach provides a straightforward shore entry for divers. The site is notable for its large population of sea lions, which are often seen interacting playfully. Divers can also observe a variety of marine life, including colorful nudibranchs, vibrant anemones, octopuses, sand dollars, and numerous fish species. The area is equipped with amenities such as parking, restrooms, and showers, and is conveniently located near two dive shops.
San Miguel Island
San Miguel Island is part of the Channel Islands National Park and is accessible exclusively by boat. This site is best explored via liveaboard diving. Divers can expect to encounter a variety of marine life including wolf eels, giant ling cod, large rock fish, gunnels, pricklebacks, nudibranchs, warbonnets, as well as seals and sea lions.
Sand Harbor
Sand Harbor offers divers the opportunity to explore large boulders and unique rock formations. One side of the cove features swim-throughs, while the opposite side showcases honeycomb rock patterns. The area is home to various marine life, including minnows and crawfish. Notably, a rainbow trout, often referred to as Nemo, can be spotted in the divers' cove, recognized by its distinctive damaged fin.
Stillwater Cove
Stillwater Cove offers a gentle beach entry into a southwest-facing cove, typically shielded from northern swells. The site features large rocks extending 250-300 yards, with a wall-like environment that descends to depths exceeding 50 feet. Divers can access the site from the Stillwater Cove Campground Day Use Parking Area, which includes unloading parking, restrooms, picnic tables, and BBQ facilities on the beach. Marine life commonly observed here includes giant starfish, brittle starfish, lemon nudibranchs, urchins, octopuses, abalones, and various rockfish such as ling cod and cabezon.
Sunnyside
Sunnyside is characterized by a pronounced drop-off, making buoyancy control essential for divers. It is recommended to use a dive flag while exploring this area, especially during the busy summer months when boat traffic increases. Access to the site is from the shore, with parking available at William Kent State Park, though it is limited, so early arrival is advisable. Marine life at this site includes crawfish, Crystal Shrimp, and Paiute sculpin, with occasional sightings of Mackinaw trout.
Sunrise Recreation Area
Sunrise Recreation Area is located at the Folsom Lake entrance, identifiable by a building with a blue metal roof near the gate. The site offers shore entry with a designated swimming area. Visibility typically ranges from 5 to 10 feet, and there is no current present, making it suitable for gear checks. Marine life includes crawdads and small schools of tiny fish. During the summer months, wildlife is less abundant due to increased swimming activity, but divers can still enjoy the experience of surfacing beneath floating objects.
Timber Cove Boat Landing
Timber Cove Boat Landing provides access to a small cove known for its diverse marine life typical of the cool waters of the Pacific. Divers can expect to see various species including urchins, sea stars, anemones, and octopus, along with a variety of fish. The area is also frequented by marine mammals such as otters, sea lions, and seals. Access to the site is through the Timber Cove Campground and boat landing, which requires a day-use fee unless camping is arranged.
Van Damme State Park
Van Damme State Park offers a shore entry from a large parking area that leads directly to the beach. The entry is straightforward after a short walk over the sand. The site is generally shielded from the main swell direction, providing a more stable diving environment. Divers can explore several pinnacles directly offshore. Moving northward, the headland features a wall that can be followed. Inside the rocky areas, divers can observe a variety of marine life, including numerous crabs and abalone. As divers venture further towards the rocks, they will encounter a significant number of sea urchins and various species of rockfish.
Waterman’s Landing
Waterman’s Landing features a shallow shelf that extends significantly, making it an ideal location for divers to practice and develop their skills. The site is accessible from the shore, and divers are advised to park on the street rather than in the shop's parking lot. Facilities include restrooms available at a nearby cafe. Marine life observed here includes Crayfish, Crystal Shrimp, and Paiute Sculpin, with the possibility of encountering Mackinaw Trout during the warmer months.
Whaler’s Cove
Whaler’s Cove is a well-known dive site located in Point Lobos, characterized by its rich underwater environment featuring walls, pinnacles, and extensive kelp forests. The maximum depth in the cove is approximately 30 feet, making it suitable for both snorkeling and novice divers. The marine life is abundant, with opportunities to observe otters, harbor seals, and sea lions in their natural habitat. Divers can approach fish closely, as they tend to remain still even when divers are nearby.