How deep is NOSC Tower?

NOSC Tower has a depth range of 9–18 metres (30–59 feet). Check the dive site page for current conditions and any depth-specific guidance before planning your dive.

Can beginners dive NOSC Tower?

NOSC Tower is rated as intermediate difficulty, which may not suit new divers. A Open Water (Advanced recommended for comfort with structure and line hazards) certification or equivalent is suggested. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

When is the best time to dive NOSC Tower?

The best time to dive NOSC Tower is typically Fall and winter for best visibility; good year-round second-tank or night dive. Conditions vary, so check the latest reports and forecasts on the dive site page before your trip.

What will I see at NOSC Tower?

Divers at NOSC Tower in United States commonly report sightings of Strawberry anemone (Corynactis californica), Yellow zoanthid anemones, Gorgonians (purple and brown), California hydrocoral, and Mussels and sponges. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

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IntermediateBoat entry

NOSC Tower

California, United States

Open Water suggested9–18 m depthBoat entry3mm wetsuit typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

NOSC Tower at a glance

NOSC Tower is a intermediate boat dive site in California, United States with depths of 9–18 m (30–59 ft). Typically most favorable Jun–Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Strawberry anemone (Corynactis californica), Yellow zoanthid anemones, and Gorgonians (purple and brown). 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: Entanglement in fishing line among the twisted girders, sharp metal, mild currents, surge in the shallower sections, cold water

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 5:31 · Sunrise 5:59 · Sunset 19:52

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 3.0 km from site · graded 3h 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.

What Divers Say

Known for: Strawberry anemone (Corynactis californica), Yellow zoanthid anemones, Gorgonians (purple and brown)

Best time: Fall and winter for best visibility; good year-round second-tank or night dive

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.

Jan70%15°C1.3 m
Feb66%15°C1.4 m
Mar62%15°C1.4 m
Apr89%16°C1.2 m
May96%18°C1.1 m
Jun100%20°C1.1 m
Jul100%21°C1.0 m
Aug98%22°C1.1 m
Sep99%22°C1.0 m
Oct92%20°C1.1 m
Nov91%18°C1.1 m
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

Strawberry anemone (Corynactis californica)Commonly seen
Yellow zoanthid anemonesCommonly seen
Gorgonians (purple and brown)Commonly seen
California hydrocoralOccasionally seen
Mussels and spongesCommonly seen
RockfishCommonly seen
NudibranchsCommonly seen

Fills & rentals nearby

Facts from OpenStreetMap, corrected by the community — listed by distance only. Details change; confirm with the shop.

Spear Shack3.6 km
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Ocean Enterprises11.7 km
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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 NOSC Tower was a 100-foot steel research platform secured to the seafloor about a mile off Mission Beach in 1959 by the Naval Ocean Systems Center for oceanographic and acoustics experiments. A large winter storm toppled it in 1988, leaving a 40-foot-square base and a tangle of girders and beams in 30-60 feet of water - the only Wreck Alley structure not sunk intentionally. The open lattice is plastered with strawberry and yellow anemones, gorgonians, hydrocoral, sponges and mussels, making it one of the most life-dense and photogenic dives in San Diego.

boatreefwreck

Entanglement in fishing line among the twisted girders, sharp metal, mild currents, surge in the shallower sections, cold water

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