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Map of Point Loma Kelp Beds
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IntermediateBoat entry

Point Loma Kelp Beds

California, United States
Open Water suggested12–31 m depthBoat entry3mm wetsuit typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Point Loma Kelp Beds at a glance

Point Loma Kelp Beds is a intermediate boat dive site in California, United States with depths of 12.2–30.5 m (40–100 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Giant kelp, California sheephead, and Kelp bass (calico bass). Recent reports put the water around 23°C (74°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 4h ago
1.2 mwaves — about a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 23°C · seasonal avg 21°C

Site hazards: Thick kelp canopy (entanglement, navigation), surge and current on the outer edge, boat traffic, occasional low visibility after swells

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Fri
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 5:32 · Sunrise 5:59 · Sunset 19:51

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 3.0 km from site · graded 4h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

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.

What Divers Say

Known for: Giant kelp, California sheephead, Kelp bass (calico bass)
Best time: Fall and winter for the best visibility (commonly 20-40 ft, sometimes more)

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. Jan41%15°C2.0 m
  2. Feb48%15°C2.0 m
  3. Mar42%15°C2.0 m
  4. Apr69%16°C1.6 m
  5. May80%18°C1.4 m
  6. Jun89%19°C1.3 m
  7. Jul99%21°C1.2 m
  8. Aug96%21°C1.2 m
  9. Sep92%22°C1.2 m
  10. Oct71%20°C1.4 m
  11. Nov62%18°C1.6 m
  12. Dec59%17°C1.8 m

July 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

  • Giant kelpCommonly seen
  • California sheepheadCommonly seen
  • Kelp bass (calico bass)Commonly seen
  • Broomtail grouperRarely seen
  • California spiny lobsterCommonly seen
  • RockfishCommonly seen
  • Horn sharkOccasionally seen
  • Giant sea bassOccasionally seen
  • Soupfin sharkSeasonal

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.

Site details

One of the largest and healthiest giant kelp forests in Southern California, stretching along roughly six miles of the Point Loma peninsula's outer coast and reachable only by boat (about 25 minutes from Mission Bay marinas). More than 20 named spots - including New Hope Rock, Six Fathoms and Horsehead Reef - feature boulder reefs, ledges and overhangs in 40-70 ft, with the deeper 'ancient cliffs' zone dropping to about 100 ft beyond the kelp line.

boatreef

Thick kelp canopy (entanglement, navigation), surge and current on the outer edge, boat traffic, occasional low visibility after swells

Reviews

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