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Map of Scorpion Anchorage (Santa Cruz Island)
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Boat entry

Scorpion Anchorage (Santa Cruz Island)

California, United States
Open Water suggested6–20 m (20–65 ft) depthBoat entry3mm wetsuit typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Scorpion Anchorage (Santa Cruz Island) at a glance

Scorpion Anchorage (Santa Cruz Island) is a boat dive site in California, United States with depths of 6.1–19.8 m (20–65 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Harbor seal, Nudibranch, and California sea lion. Recent reports put the water around 22°C (72°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

No window today· next: tomorrow 8:00–19:00 · favorable

Forecast for this hour · 22:00 · run under 1 h ago
1.0 m (3.3 ft)waves — about a meter expected (waves — about three feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 22°C · seasonal avg 19°C ( · Forecast 72°F · seasonal avg 65°F)

Site hazards: Kelp entanglement, boat and kayak traffic around the pier and anchorage, cold water, remote location (nearest recompression and EMS are on the mainland)

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

MonNo window

0.9 m waves · 10 kn wind (2.9 ft waves · 10 kn wind)

Tue8:00–19:00 favorable

0.7 m waves · 8 kn wind (2.4 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Wed8:00–19:00 favorable

0.7 m waves · 5 kn wind (2.2 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Thu8:00–19:00 favorable

0.6 m waves · 6 kn wind (2.1 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

Fri8:00–19:00 favorable

0.7 m waves · 8 kn wind (2.1 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Sat8:00–19:00 favorable

0.7 m waves · 3 kn wind (2.3 ft waves · 3 kn wind)

Sun8:00–19:00 favorable

0.7 m waves · 2 kn wind (2.2 ft waves · 2 kn wind)

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 6:47 · Sunrise 7:12 · Sunset 18:11 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 6.4 km from site · updated 26 Oct, 22:22 GMT-7

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Scorpion Anchorage (Santa Cruz Island)

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

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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: Nudibranch, California sea lion, Gorgonian sea fan
Best time: Summer and fall for calmer seas and 30-50 ft 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.

  1. January, 61% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 14°C (58°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.5 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  2. February, 54% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 14°C (57°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.8 ft), wind has typically been 19 knots
  3. March, 47% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 13°C (56°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.8 ft), wind has typically been 20 knots
  4. April, 74% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 14°C (57°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.1 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  5. May, 76% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (60°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.1 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots
  6. June, 86% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 17°C (63°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (2.9 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  7. July, 99% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 19°C (67°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.7 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 92% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 20°C (68°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.8 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  9. September, 82% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 20°C (68°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (2.8 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  10. October, 78% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 19°C (65°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.0 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots
  11. November, 70% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 17°C (62°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.0 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  12. December, 63% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 16°C (61°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.2 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots

July 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 July 2026

Site details

The main landing and most-dived area on eastern Santa Cruz Island in Channel Islands National Park, with rebounding giant kelp forest wrapping from the anchorage around Cavern Point. Popular spots include Scorpion's Rock (20-50 ft of kelp, gorgonians and invertebrates) and the wreck of the Spirit of America sitting upright on sand at about 65 ft outside the anchorage. The area is inside the no-take Scorpion State Marine Reserve.

boatreefshorewreck

Kelp entanglement, boat and kayak traffic around the pier and anchorage, cold water, remote location (nearest recompression and EMS are on the mainland)

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