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Map of Carnelian Bay
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Shore entry

Carnelian Bay

California, United StatesDirections
Open Water suggestedHigh-altitude dive (~6,225 ft)3–8 m (10–25 ft) depthShore entry

Carnelian Bay at a glance

Carnelian Bay is a shore dive site in California, United States with depths of 3–7.6 m (10–25 ft). Typically most favorable Jul–Aug · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Rainbow trout, Tahoe sucker, and Signal crayfish (crawdad). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Next window today· 18:00–9:00 · favorable & moderate

Wind forecast for this hour · 3:00 · run 4 h ago
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Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: High-altitude dive (~6,225 ft)

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Mon18:00–22:00 moderate, 22:00–23:00 favorable, 23:00–0:00 moderate

12 kn wind (12 kn wind)

Tue0:00–1:00 favorable, 1:00–9:00 moderate, 10:00–14:00 moderate, 14:00–15:00 favorable

10 kn wind (10 kn wind)

WedNo window

2 kn wind (2 kn wind)

Thu15:00–16:00 moderate, 16:00–13:00 favorable

6 kn wind (6 kn wind)

Fri13:00–16:00 moderate, 16:00–14:00 favorable

8 kn wind (8 kn wind)

Sat14:00–15:00 moderate, 15:00–0:00 favorable

6 kn wind (6 kn wind)

SunNot in the forecast yet

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 6:54 · Sunrise 7:21 · Sunset 18:06 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo wind · updated 25 Oct, 22:22 GMT-7

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Carnelian Bay

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Rainbow trout, Signal crayfish (crawdad)
Best time: Year-round access; summer for warmest conditions and classic night dives, winter for solitude.

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. January, 91% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 6 knots
  2. February, 88% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
  3. March, 86% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
  4. April, 98% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
  5. May, 94% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots
  6. June, 98% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots
  7. July, 100% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 100% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots, historically most favorable
  9. September, 98% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
  10. October, 98% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
  11. November, 97% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 6 knots
  12. December, 88% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 6 knots

July and August have typically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km (16 mi). Know one? Add it to the map.

Data updated July 2026

Site details

Carnelian Bay, on Tahoe's north shore at Patton Beach/Waterman's Landing and Carnelian West Beach, is a free, year-round beginner site named for the reddish carnelian stones found along the shoreline. A very gradually sloping sandy bottom averaging 20-25 ft holds a scattering of semi-historic debris — a sunken barge, engine blocks, deteriorating fishing boats and enormous logs — with 50-60 ft visibility typical. It is the lake's most popular summer night-dive site, alive with crawfish, sculpin and rainbow trout after dark.

muckshorewreck

High-altitude dive (~6,225 ft) — altitude procedures required; cold water year-round; very long shallow shelf means navigation (compass) skills are needed if venturing beyond ~1,000 ft from shore; summer boat traffic near Waterman's Landing; silt/sand bottom can reduce visibility if disturbed.

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