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Map of China Cove (Donner Lake)
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Shore entry

China Cove (Donner Lake)

California, United StatesDirections
Open Water suggested15 m (49 ft) depthShore entry

China Cove (Donner Lake) at a glance

China Cove (Donner Lake) is a shore dive site in California, United States with depths of up to 15 m (49 ft). Typically most favorable Jun–Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Rainbow trout, Kokanee salmon, and Signal crayfish (crawdad). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Next window today· 8:00–9:00 · favorable

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: Altitude dive (Donner Lake sits at ~5,935 ft); very cold water, especially outside late summer (snowmelt-fed); summer swimmer, paddler and boat traffic around the cove; afternoon winds can chop up the surface.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Lightest wind: Wed
Mon8:00–9:00 favorable, 18:00–19:00 moderate

9 kn wind (9 kn wind)

Tue8:00–10:00 favorable, 10:00–13:00 moderate, 13:00–19:00 favorable

7 kn wind (7 kn wind)

Wed8:00–19:00 favorable

3 kn wind (3 kn wind)

Thu8:00–19:00 favorable

7 kn wind (7 kn wind)

Fri8:00–12:00 favorable, 12:00–16:00 moderate, 16:00–19:00 favorable

8 kn wind (8 kn wind)

Sat8:00–12:00 favorable, 12:00–15:00 moderate, 15:00–19:00 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 6:55 · Sunrise 7:22 · Sunset 18:06 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo wind · updated 25 Oct, 22:23 GMT-7

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near China Cove (Donner Lake)

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

Best time: Late summer to early fall (July-October), when the snowmelt-fed lake is warmest and the state park beach facilities are open.

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, 96% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 5 knots
  2. February, 91% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 7 knots
  3. March, 90% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
  4. April, 100% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots, historically most favorable
  5. May, 96% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots
  6. June, 100% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots, historically most favorable
  7. July, 100% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 99% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
  9. September, 98% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 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, 92% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 6 knots

April, June, and July 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

China Cove is a sheltered, sandy day-use beach on the southern shore of Donner Lake inside Donner Memorial State Park near Truckee, and the lake's best-known easy shore dive. The clear, cold cove bottoms out around 40-50 ft with visibility commonly in the 50-60 ft range, making it a relaxed beginner altitude dive with crawfish and trout over sand and granite. Picnic tables, BBQs and seasonal restrooms sit right behind the beach; a state park day-use fee applies.

shore

Altitude dive (Donner Lake sits at ~5,935 ft); very cold water, especially outside late summer (snowmelt-fed); summer swimmer, paddler and boat traffic around the cove; afternoon winds can chop up the surface.

Reviews

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