How deep is PBY Catalina Wreck (Lake Mead)?

PBY Catalina Wreck (Lake Mead) ranges from 45.7 to 48.8 metres deep (150–160 feet) — a deep dive at its limit. It is a freshwater site rated as expert difficulty. Depths vary across the site, so plan your profile to your training and verify conditions locally.

Is PBY Catalina Wreck (Lake Mead) a shore dive or a boat dive?

PBY Catalina Wreck (Lake Mead) is a boat dive — access is by boat rather than from shore. The entry area is recorded as sheltered from surge. No facilities are recorded at 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 PBY Catalina Wreck (Lake Mead)?

PBY Catalina Wreck (Lake Mead) is rated as expert difficulty, which may not suit new divers. Listed depths run from 45.7 to 48.8 metres (150–160 feet). Access is by boat. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

When is the best time to dive PBY Catalina Wreck (Lake Mead)?

The best time to dive PBY Catalina Wreck (Lake Mead) is typically Winter for best visibility. Conditions vary, so check the latest reports and forecasts on the dive site page before your trip.

What will I see at PBY Catalina Wreck (Lake Mead)?

Divers at PBY Catalina Wreck (Lake Mead) in United States commonly report sightings of Striped bass, Channel catfish, Common carp, and Quagga mussel. Quagga mussel is recorded as common sightings, while Striped bass, Channel catfish, and Common carp are reported only occasionally. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

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ExpertBoat entry

PBY Catalina Wreck (Lake Mead)

Nevada, United States

46–49 m depthBoat entry

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

PBY Catalina Wreck (Lake Mead) at a glance

PBY Catalina Wreck (Lake Mead) is an expert boat dive site in Nevada, United States with depths of 45.7–48.8 m (150–160 ft). Typically most favorable Dec · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Striped bass, Channel catfish, and Common carp. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Wind model · graded 13h ago

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Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Depth beyond recreational limits, mandatory decompression, fragile aircraft debris, silt, cold dark water

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Mon

Fri7:00–14:00

Sat7:00–8:00

Sun7:00–10:00

Mon7:00–12:00

Tue7:00–8:00

Wed7:00–12:00

Thu—

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:53 · Sunrise 6:18 · Sunset 18:52 · all windows sit within daylight

Source: Open-Meteo wind · graded 13h 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

Best time: Winter for best 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% 9 kn
Feb80% 10 kn
Mar67% 12 kn
Apr76% 12 kn
May80% 12 kn
Jun77% 12 kn
Jul80% 12 kn
Aug83% 11 kn
Sep86% 10 kn
Oct84% 10 kn
Nov88% 8 kn
Dec97% 6 kn

December hastypically 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

The wreck of a PBY Catalina flying boat that flipped and broke in two while attempting a water landing on Boulder Basin in 1949 with its landing gear down. The airframe rests in roughly 150-160 ft of water and is dived only by technical divers on guided charters; it is one of Lake Mead's protected submerged cultural resources alongside the better-known B-29. Exact coordinates are not published to protect the site.

boatwreck

Depth beyond recreational limits, mandatory decompression, fragile aircraft debris, silt, cold dark water

Reviews

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