How deep is Lake Jocassee (Devils Fork State Park)?

Lake Jocassee (Devils Fork State Park) ranges from 3 to 21.3 metres deep (10–70 feet). It is a freshwater site rated as intermediate difficulty. Depths vary across the site, so plan your profile to your training and verify conditions locally.

Is Lake Jocassee (Devils Fork State Park) a shore dive or a boat dive?

Lake Jocassee (Devils Fork State Park) can be dived from shore or by boat. The entry is recorded as an easy walk-in. The entry area is recorded as sheltered from surge. Basic facilities are recorded at or near 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 Lake Jocassee (Devils Fork State Park)?

Lake Jocassee (Devils Fork State Park) is rated as intermediate difficulty, which may not suit new divers. Listed depths run from 3 to 21.3 metres (10–70 feet). Access is from shore or by boat, with the entry recorded as an easy walk-in. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

What will I see at Lake Jocassee (Devils Fork State Park)?

Divers at Lake Jocassee (Devils Fork State Park) in United States commonly report sightings of Channel catfish, Bluegill, Smallmouth bass, Spotted bass, and Freshwater jellyfish (Craspedacusta). Bluegill, Smallmouth bass, and Spotted bass are recorded as common sightings, while Freshwater jellyfish (Craspedacusta) is seasonal, while Channel catfish is reported only occasionally. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

Map of Lake Jocassee (Devils Fork State Park)

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IntermediateBoth

Lake Jocassee (Devils Fork State Park)

South Carolina, United StatesDirections

Open Water suggested3–21 m depthBoth entry

Lake Jocassee (Devils Fork State Park) at a glance

Lake Jocassee (Devils Fork State Park) is an intermediate both dive site in South Carolina, United States with depths of 3–21.3 m (10–70 ft). Typically most favorable Jul–Aug · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Channel catfish, Bluegill, and Smallmouth bass. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Wind model · graded 2h ago

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Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Cold water below the thermocline year-round, boat traffic in summer, depth - the lake drops far beyond recreational limits, submerged timber

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Sat

Fri14:00–20:00

Sat8:00–20:00

Sun8:00–20:00

Mon8:00–20:00

Tue8:00–20:00

Wed8:00–20:00

Thu8:00–20:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 6:46 · Sunrise 7:12 · Sunset 19:44

Source: Open-Meteo wind · graded 2h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

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: Bluegill, Smallmouth bass, Spotted bass

Best time: Year-round; summer for warm surface water, winter for the clearest visibility

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.

Jan88% 7 kn
Feb89% 8 kn
Mar85% 9 kn
Apr92% 8 kn
May96% 7 kn
Jun98% 7 kn
Jul100% 6 kn
Aug100% 6 kn
Sep97% 6 kn
Oct97% 7 kn
Nov93% 7 kn
Dec91% 7 kn

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 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

A deep, clear mountain reservoir in the Blue Ridge foothills, created in 1973 and reached through Devils Fork State Park - widely regarded as the Southeast's best freshwater diving. Boat-accessed sites include Big Wall/Small Wall (~35 ft), South Wall (~70 ft), a sunken boat at ~60 ft and the iconic church bell tower in 40-60 ft, with deeper relics (a cemetery, a lodge) far below recreational limits; visibility commonly runs 20-50 ft. The lake exceeds 300 ft deep, and water temperatures range from the 40s in winter to around 80 F in summer.

boatshorewall

Cold water below the thermocline year-round, boat traffic in summer, depth - the lake drops far beyond recreational limits, submerged timber

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