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IntermediateBoat entry

NOSC Tower

California, United States
Open Water suggested9–18 m (30–59 ft) depthBoat entry3mm wetsuit typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

NOSC Tower at a glance

NOSC Tower is an 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 Mussels and sponges, Gorgonians (purple and brown), and Strawberry anemone (Corynactis californica). Recent reports put the water around 25°C (76°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

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

Forecast for this hour · 9:00 · run 22 h ago
0.8 m (2.6 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 76°F · seasonal avg 68°F)

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

Mon8:00–19:00 favorable

0.9 m waves · 11 kn wind (2.8 ft waves · 11 kn wind)

Tue8:00–19:00 favorable

1.1 m waves · 5 kn wind (3.5 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Wed8:00–19:00 favorable

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

Thu8:00–19:00 favorable

0.9 m waves · 5 kn wind (3.0 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Fri8:00–18:00 favorable

0.9 m waves · 7 kn wind (3.0 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

Sat8:00–18:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 4 kn wind (3.2 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

SunNot in the forecast yet

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 3.0 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 10:20 GMT-7

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near NOSC Tower

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.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Mussels and sponges, Gorgonians (purple and brown), Strawberry anemone (Corynactis californica)
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.

  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 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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