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HMCS Yukon

California, United States
AOW suggested18–32 m depthBoat entry3mm wetsuit typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

HMCS Yukon at a glance

HMCS Yukon is a 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 Giant plumose anemone (Metridium farcimen), Strawberry anemone (Corynactis californica), and California sheephead. Recent reports put the water around 24°C (74°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 24°C · seasonal avg 21°C

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

Best: Thu
Sun6:00–20:00
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 5:32 · Sunrise 5:59 · Sunset 19:52

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 1.4 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: Giant plumose anemone (Metridium farcimen), Strawberry anemone (Corynactis californica), California sheephead
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. Jan70%15°C1.3 m
  2. Feb66%15°C1.4 m
  3. Mar62%15°C1.4 m
  4. Apr89%16°C1.2 m
  5. May96%18°C1.1 m
  6. Jun100%20°C1.1 m
  7. Jul100%21°C1.0 m
  8. Aug98%22°C1.1 m
  9. Sep99%22°C1.0 m
  10. Oct92%20°C1.1 m
  11. Nov91%18°C1.1 m
  12. Dec88%17°C1.1 m

June and July 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 seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

  • Giant plumose anemone (Metridium farcimen)Commonly seen
  • Strawberry anemone (Corynactis californica)Commonly seen
  • California sheepheadCommonly seen
  • RockfishCommonly seen
  • LingcodOccasionally seen
  • California spiny lobsterOccasionally seen
  • Wolf eelRarely seen
  • NudibranchsCommonly seen

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

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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