How deep is Patagonia Lake?

Patagonia Lake ranges from 3 to 25 metres deep (10–82 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 Patagonia Lake a shore dive or a boat dive?

Patagonia Lake 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 Patagonia Lake?

Patagonia Lake is rated as intermediate difficulty, which may not suit new divers. Listed depths run from 3 to 25 metres (10–82 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.

When is the best time to dive Patagonia Lake?

Winter and spring for cooler, slightly clearer water and fewer boats. None; summer weekends are crowded with boaters and the park can reach capacity. Conditions vary, so check the latest reports and forecasts on the dive site page before your trip.

What will I see at Patagonia Lake?

Divers at Patagonia Lake in United States commonly report sightings of Black crappie, Channel catfish, Crayfish, Largemouth bass, and Bluegill. Black crappie, Crayfish, Largemouth bass, and Bluegill are recorded as common sightings, while Channel catfish is reported only occasionally. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

What hazards are recorded at Patagonia Lake?

Black-water conditions below ~20 ft (near-zero visibility); boat traffic; entanglement on fishing line; altitude ~3,750 ft. Hazards and conditions change, so verify current local information before diving.

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IntermediateBoth

Patagonia Lake

Arizona, United StatesDirections

Open Water suggested3–25 m (10–82 ft) depthBoth entry

Patagonia Lake at a glance

Patagonia Lake is an intermediate both dive site in Arizona, United States with depths of 3–25 m (10–82 ft). Typically most favorable Dec · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Black crappie, Channel catfish, and Crayfish. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Favorable window now· until 18:00 · sunset 17:39

Wind forecast for this hour · 11:00 · run under 1 h ago

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Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Black-water conditions below ~20 ft (near-zero visibility); boat traffic; entanglement on fishing line; altitude ~3,750 ft.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Mon

6 kn wind (6 kn wind)

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8 kn wind (8 kn wind)

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5 kn wind (5 kn wind)

Thu

5 kn wind (5 kn wind)

Fri

7 kn wind (7 kn wind)

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9 kn wind (9 kn wind)

Sun

7 kn wind (7 kn wind)

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 6:09 · Sunrise 6:34 · Sunset 17:39 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo wind · updated 26 Oct, 10:28 GMT-7

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Patagonia Lake

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: Black crappie, Crayfish, Largemouth bass

Best time: Winter and spring for cooler, slightly clearer water and fewer boats.

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.

January, 88% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots
February, 80% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 11 knots
March, 70% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 12 knots
April, 79% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 11 knots
May, 83% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 12 knots
June, 84% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 11 knots
July, 94% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots
August, 94% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
September, 93% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots
October, 88% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
November, 90% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
December, 98% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots, historically most favorable

December has 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

No dive shops mapped within 25 km (16 mi). Know one? Add it to the map.

Data updated June 2026

Site details

A state-park lake in the rolling hills of southern Arizona near Nogales, averaging about 80 feet deep near the dam, which is reachable only by boat or a long shoreline carry. It is a dark-water dive: light fades by 20 feet and divers report effectively zero visibility at 25 feet even with lights, so most stay at 10-15 feet along the rock wall near the day-use area to see fish. Paved walkways at the day-use area provide decent entries.

boatmuckshorewall

Black-water conditions below ~20 ft (near-zero visibility); boat traffic; entanglement on fishing line; altitude ~3,750 ft.

Reviews

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