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HMCS Yukon

California, United States
AOW suggested18–32 m (59–105 ft) depthBoat entry3mm wetsuit typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

HMCS Yukon at a glance

HMCS Yukon is an advanced boat dive site in California, United States with depths of 18–32 m (59–105 ft). Typically most favorable Jun–Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Nudibranch, California sheephead, and Wolf eel. Recent reports put the water around 25°C (77°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Favorable window now· until 19:00 · sunset 18:03

Forecast for this hour · 16:00 · run 6 h ago
0.9 m (3.0 ft)waves — under a meter expected (waves — about three feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 25°C · seasonal avg 20°C ( · Forecast 77°F · seasonal avg 68°F)

Site hazards: Square deep profile (most of the dive at 80+ ft - watch NDL), wreck lies on its port side causing disorientation, penetration requires wreck training despite 'Swiss-cheesed' exits, entanglement in fishing line, currents, cold water, occasional poor visibility; divers have died inside the wreck

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Smallest waves: Mon
Mon11:00–19:00 favorable

0.9 m waves · 8 kn wind (2.8 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Tue8:00–19:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 7 kn wind (3.3 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

Wed8:00–19:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 5 kn wind (3.4 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Thu8:00–19:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 6 kn wind (3.1 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

Fri8:00–18:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 7 kn wind (3.2 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

Sat8:00–18:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 4 kn wind (3.4 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

Sun8:00–17:00 favorable, 17:00–18:00 moderate

1.1 m waves · 3 kn wind (3.5 ft waves · 3 kn wind)

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 6:36 · Sunrise 7:02 · Sunset 18:03 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 1.4 km from site · updated 26 Oct, 10:24 GMT-7

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near HMCS Yukon

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

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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: Nudibranch, California sheephead, Strawberry anemone (Corynactis californica)
Best time: Fall through early winter for the best visibility; dived year-round

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, 70% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (59°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.3 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots
  2. February, 66% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (59°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.5 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  3. March, 62% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (59°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.6 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  4. April, 89% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 16°C (60°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.9 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots
  5. May, 96% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 18°C (64°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.8 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  6. June, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 20°C (67°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.5 ft), wind has typically been 10 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 1.0 m (3.3 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 98% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 22°C (72°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.4 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  9. September, 99% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 22°C (72°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.3 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  10. October, 92% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 20°C (68°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.6 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  11. November, 91% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 18°C (64°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.5 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  12. December, 88% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 17°C (63°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.6 ft), wind has typically been 10 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 HMCS Yukon is a 366-foot, six-deck Canadian Mackenzie-class destroyer escort prepared by the San Diego Oceans Foundation and scuttled in July 2000 about two miles off Mission Beach as the centerpiece of Wreck Alley. She sank prematurely the night before her planned sinking and settled on her port side in about 100 feet of water, with the hull starting around 60 feet. Dozens of access holes were cut so a diver is never far from an exit, but the sideways orientation makes navigation disorienting and penetration is for trained wreck divers only. Heavily colonized by white Metridium anemones and strawberry anemones, it is widely considered the signature wreck dive of the US West Coast.

boatwreck

Square deep profile (most of the dive at 80+ ft - watch NDL), wreck lies on its port side causing disorientation, penetration requires wreck training despite 'Swiss-cheesed' exits, entanglement in fishing line, currents, cold water, occasional poor visibility; divers have died inside the wreck

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