How deep is Frolic Wreck?

Frolic Wreck ranges from 3 to 18 metres deep (10–59 feet). It is a saltwater site rated as advanced difficulty. Depths vary across the site, so plan your profile to your training and verify conditions locally.

Is Frolic Wreck a shore dive or a boat dive?

Frolic Wreck is a shore dive — you can enter from land. The entry is recorded as a rocky scramble. The entry area is recorded as exposed to surge. No facilities are recorded at 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 Frolic Wreck?

Frolic Wreck is rated as advanced difficulty, which may not suit new divers. Listed depths run from 3 to 18 metres (10–59 feet). Access is from shore, with the entry recorded as a rocky scramble. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

What will I see at Frolic Wreck?

Divers at Frolic Wreck in United States commonly report sightings of Lingcod, Rockfish, Bull kelp, and Red abalone. Rockfish and Red abalone are recorded as common sightings, while Bull kelp is seasonal, while Lingcod is reported only occasionally. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

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AdvancedShore entry

Frolic Wreck

California, United StatesDirections

AOW suggested3–18 m depthShore entry7mm or semi-dry + hood typical

Frolic Wreck at a glance

Frolic Wreck is an advanced shore dive site in California, United States with depths of 3–18 m (10–59 ft). Typically most favorable Aug · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Lingcod, Rockfish, and Bull kelp. Recent reports put the water around 16°C (60°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 14h ago

1.7 mwaves — about a meter and a half expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 16°C · seasonal avg 14°C

Site hazards: Heavy North Coast surge and swell in shallow surge channels, long surface swim to the wreck scatter, cold water, kelp, remote location with no facilities; only diveable on calm days

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Sat

Fri—

Sat7:00–20:00

Sun7:00–11:00

Mon—

Tue—

Wed—

Thu—

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 6:26 · Sunrise 6:53 · Sunset 19:30

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 3.4 km from site · graded 14h 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: Rockfish, Red abalone

Best time: Flat-calm summer and fall days only; site is frequently blown out

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.

Jan4%12°C3.6 m
Feb0%11°C3.6 m
Mar1%11°C3.3 m
Apr4%11°C2.7 m
May0%10°C2.7 m
Jun7%10°C2.7 m
Jul17%12°C2.3 m
Aug20%14°C2.0 m
Sep14%14°C2.4 m
Oct5%14°C2.7 m
Nov8%14°C3.2 m
Dec5%13°C3.3 m

August hastypically 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

Fills & rentals nearby

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

Data updated June 2026

Site details

The Frolic was a 97-foot Baltimore-built opium-trade brig that struck the reef north of Point Cabrillo on the night of July 25, 1850, while carrying Chinese silk, porcelain and other Gold Rush cargo to San Francisco; the wreck indirectly triggered the founding of the Mendocino lumber industry. Scattered remains (ballast, fittings, porcelain shards) lie among ridges, boulders and surge channels in Frolic Cove. A historically significant but demanding shore dive for calm days only; the site is protected and nothing may be removed.

reefshorewreck

Heavy North Coast surge and swell in shallow surge channels, long surface swim to the wreck scatter, cold water, kelp, remote location with no facilities; only diveable on calm days

Reviews

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