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AdvancedBoat entry

Farnsworth Bank

California, United States
AOW suggested17–40 m depthBoat entry3mm wetsuit typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Farnsworth Bank at a glance

Farnsworth Bank is a advanced boat dive site in California, United States with depths of 16.8–39.6 m (55–130 ft). Typically most favorable Jul–Aug · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see California purple hydrocoral (Stylaster californicus), Pacific electric ray (torpedo ray), and Yellowtail. Recent reports put the water around 23°C (73°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 3h ago
1.2 mwaves — about a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 23°C · seasonal avg 21°C

Site hazards: Depth (most of the dive below 90 ft), strong open-ocean currents and swell, no shelter, blue-water descents/ascents, aggressive Pacific electric (torpedo) rays

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Wed
Sun7:00–20:00
Mon7:00–20:00
Tue7:00–20:00
Wed7:00–20:00
Thu7:00–20:00
Fri7:00–20:00
Sat—

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:35 · Sunrise 6:03 · Sunset 19:58

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 6.2 km from site · graded 3h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

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.

What Divers Say

Known for: California purple hydrocoral (Stylaster californicus), Pacific electric ray (torpedo ray), California sea lion
Best time: Flat-calm days, most often late summer and fall

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. Jan62%15°C1.6 m
  2. Feb60%15°C1.6 m
  3. Mar57%14°C1.6 m
  4. Apr83%15°C1.3 m
  5. May89%17°C1.2 m
  6. Jun98%19°C1.1 m
  7. Jul100%21°C1.0 m
  8. Aug100%21°C1.0 m
  9. Sep99%21°C1.0 m
  10. Oct87%20°C1.1 m
  11. Nov84%17°C1.2 m
  12. Dec72%16°C1.3 m

July and August 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

  • California purple hydrocoral (Stylaster californicus)Commonly seen
  • Pacific electric ray (torpedo ray)Commonly seen
  • YellowtailSeasonal
  • California sea lionCommonly seen
  • BlacksmithCommonly seen
  • Pacific mackerel and sardine schoolsCommonly seen
  • Giant sea bassRarely seen
  • Sunburst anemone / sun coralCommonly seen

  • Chromis punctipinnis recorded here Jun (1 record)

    most recent 2013

  • Girella nigricans recorded here Jun (1 record)

    most recent 2013

  • Semicossyphus pulcher recorded here Jun (1 record)

    most recent 2013

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.

Shop facts come from OpenStreetMap and community corrections, shown nearest first. PickADive lists facts and contacts only — no listing is sponsored or ranked.

Site details

Open-ocean seamount about 1.5-2 miles off the backside (southwest) of Catalina Island, with pinnacles rising from 200+ ft to peaks around 55-60 ft. It is famous for dense stands of protected California purple hydrocoral covering the walls, with most diving in the 90-110 ft range. Exposed position means it is only diveable in calm seas, and currents can be strong; the site is protected within the Farnsworth Offshore State Marine Conservation Area.

boatpinnaclereefwall

Depth (most of the dive below 90 ft), strong open-ocean currents and swell, no shelter, blue-water descents/ascents, aggressive Pacific electric (torpedo) rays

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