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Map of Crystal Cove State Park - Reef Point (Scotchman's Cove)
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IntermediateShore entry

Crystal Cove State Park - Reef Point (Scotchman's Cove)

California, United StatesDirections
Open Water suggested6–15 m (20–50 ft) depthShore entry3mm wetsuit typical

Crystal Cove State Park - Reef Point (Scotchman's Cove) at a glance

Crystal Cove State Park - Reef Point (Scotchman's Cove) is an intermediate shore dive site in California, United States with depths of 6.1–15.2 m (20–50 ft). Typically most favorable Jun–Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Garibaldi, California halibut, and Kelp bass (calico bass). Recent reports put the water around 22°C (72°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Next window today· 8:00–19:00 · favorable & moderate · sunset 18:05

Forecast for this hour · 3:00 · run 16 h ago
0.7 m (2.2 ft)waves — under a meter expected (waves — about two feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 22°C · seasonal avg 20°C ( · Forecast 72°F · seasonal avg 67°F)

Site hazards: Wide surf zone (difficult at low tide), long walk down and back up the bluff with gear, heavy small-boat traffic offshore - use a dive flag and surface cautiously

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Mon8:00–14:00 favorable, 14:00–19:00 moderate

0.7 m waves · 7 kn wind (2.3 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

Tue8:00–17:00 moderate, 17:00–19:00 favorable

0.8 m waves · 6 kn wind (2.7 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

Wed8:00–13:00 moderate, 13:00–19:00 favorable

0.8 m waves · 6 kn wind (2.6 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

Thu8:00–19:00 favorable

0.7 m waves · 5 kn wind (2.4 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Fri8:00–19:00 moderate

0.7 m waves · 6 kn wind (2.3 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

Sat8:00–12:00 favorable, 12:00–18:00 moderate

0.8 m waves · 5 kn wind (2.6 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

SunNot in the forecast yet

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

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

First light 6:39 · Sunrise 7:05 · Sunset 18:05 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 7.4 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 10:21 GMT-7

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Crystal Cove State Park - Reef Point (Scotchman's Cove)

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

Loading tide predictions

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: Garibaldi, Kelp bass (calico bass), Halfmoon
Best time: Higher tides on calm mornings to shorten the surf zone

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, 68% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (59°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.2 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  2. February, 67% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (58°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.3 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  3. March, 71% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 14°C (58°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.2 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  4. April, 91% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (59°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.6 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots
  5. May, 97% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 17°C (63°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.3 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  6. June, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 19°C (66°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.1 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots, historically most favorable
  7. July, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 21°C (70°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (2.9 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 98% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 22°C (71°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.1 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  9. September, 99% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 21°C (70°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.0 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots
  10. October, 91% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 20°C (67°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.3 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots
  11. November, 93% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 18°C (64°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.3 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots
  12. December, 86% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 17°C (62°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.5 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots

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

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

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

The most popular dive access within Crystal Cove State Park, reached by a long trail and ramp down from the Reef Point parking lots. Distinctive tilted rock fingers run offshore, with the best reef structure in roughly 30-50 ft straight out from the rocks, and a 150-year-old historic anchor sits in about 20 ft near the Muddy Creek ramp. The area lies within the Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area, which restricts take of most invertebrates.

reefshore

Wide surf zone (difficult at low tide), long walk down and back up the bluff with gear, heavy small-boat traffic offshore - use a dive flag and surface cautiously

Reviews

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