IntermediateShore entry

Children's Pool (Casa Cove)

California, United StatesDirections

Open Water suggested6–11 m depthShore entry3mm wetsuit typical

Children's Pool (Casa Cove) at a glance

Children's Pool (Casa Cove) is an intermediate shore dive site in California, United States with depths of 6.1–10.7 m (20–35 ft). Typically most favorable Jun–Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see California sheephead, Nudibranchs (various), and Two-spot octopus. Recent reports put the water around 22°C (72°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 1h ago

1.2 mwaves — about a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 22°C · seasonal avg 22°C

Site hazards: Waves, surge and currents over the shallow reef; strong rip current flowing out of the Casa Pool entrance; rocky entry hazardous when waves are up; harbor seals haul out on the beach (do not approach/harass - federally protected); seasonal beach closure Dec 15 - May 15 for seal pupping.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Wed

Fri11:00–19:00

Sat7:00–19:00

Sun7:00–19:00

Mon7:00–19:00

Tue7:00–12:00

Wed7:00–19:00

Thu7:00–15:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 6:05 · Sunrise 6:30 · Sunset 19:00 · all windows sit within daylight

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 6.4 km from site · graded 1h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

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: California sheephead, Nudibranchs (various), Corynactis (strawberry anemone)

Best time: Late May through mid-December when the beach is open; calm small-swell days are essential since surge over the shallow reef ruins visibility and makes the rocky entry hazardous. Visibility averages 10-15 ft.

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.

Jan70%15°C1.3 m
Feb66%15°C1.4 m
Mar62%15°C1.4 m
Apr89%16°C1.2 m
May96%18°C1.1 m
Jun100%20°C1.1 m
Jul100%21°C1.0 m
Aug98%22°C1.1 m
Sep99%22°C1.0 m
Oct92%20°C1.1 m
Nov91%18°C1.1 m
Dec88%17°C1.1 m

June and July havetypically 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 recorded at this site, by month

Recorded observations — evidence of past sightings, not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Gymnura altavela recorded here Nov (1 record)
most recent 2012
Marthasterias glacialis recorded here Nov (1 record)
most recent 2012
Mycteroperca rosacea recorded here May (1 record)
most recent 2012
Octopus bimaculoides recorded here May (1 record)
most recent 2012
Panulirus interruptus recorded here May (1 record)
most recent 2012
Pseudotolithus epipercus recorded here Nov (1 record)
most recent 2012
Raja miraletus recorded here Nov (1 record)
most recent 2012
Rhinobatos rhinobatos recorded here Nov (1 record)
most recent 2012

Counts are occurrence records near this site from public biodiversity datasets (GBIF), grouped by calendar month across all sampled years. Sightings vary — past records are context, not a prediction.

Fills & rentals nearby

Facts from OpenStreetMap, corrected by the community — listed by distance only. Details change; confirm with the shop.

Ocean Enterprises11.6 km
Report a fix
Spear Shack11.7 km
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North County Scuba Center22.4 km
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Shop facts come from OpenStreetMap and community corrections, shown nearest first. PickADive lists facts and contacts only — no listing is sponsored or ranked.

Data updated June 2026

Site details

A shallow rocky-reef shore dive off the seawall-protected beach in La Jolla, with depths around 30 feet and an easy entry aided by the wall's sheltered pool. Famous for its resident seal colony; the beach is closed to public access during the winter-to-spring seal pupping season, and surge over the reefs demands calm conditions.

reefshore

Waves, surge and currents over the shallow reef; strong rip current flowing out of the Casa Pool entrance; rocky entry hazardous when waves are up; harbor seals haul out on the beach (do not approach/harass - federally protected); seasonal beach closure Dec 15 - May 15 for seal pupping.

How deep is Children's Pool (Casa Cove)?

Children's Pool (Casa Cove) ranges from 6.1 to 10.7 metres deep (20–35 feet) — a shallow dive. It is a saltwater site rated as intermediate difficulty. Depths vary across the site, so plan your profile to your training and verify conditions locally.

Is Children's Pool (Casa Cove) a shore dive or a boat dive?

Children's Pool (Casa Cove) is a shore dive — you can enter from land. The entry is recorded as a rocky scramble. The entry area is recorded as moderately exposed to surge. Basic facilities are recorded at or near the site, and cell service is recorded as good. Entry details and parking notes, where known, are listed in the access section of this page.

Can beginners dive Children's Pool (Casa Cove)?

Children's Pool (Casa Cove) is rated as intermediate difficulty, which may not suit new divers. Listed depths run from 6.1 to 10.7 metres (20–35 feet). Access is from shore, with the entry recorded as a rocky scramble. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

When is the best time to dive Children's Pool (Casa Cove)?

Late May through mid-December when the beach is open; calm small-swell days are essential since surge over the shallow reef ruins visibility and makes the rocky entry hazardous. Visibility averages 10-15 ft. Beach closed Dec 15 - May 15 annually (harbor seal pupping season); use South Casa Beach entry during closure. Conditions vary, so check the latest reports and forecasts on the dive site page before your trip.

What will I see at Children's Pool (Casa Cove)?

Divers at Children's Pool (Casa Cove) in United States commonly report sightings of California sheephead, Nudibranchs (various), Two-spot octopus, Corynactis (strawberry anemone), and Kelp bass. California sheephead, Nudibranchs (various), Corynactis (strawberry anemone), and Kelp bass are recorded as common sightings, while Two-spot octopus is reported only occasionally. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

What hazards are recorded at Children's Pool (Casa Cove)?

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