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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 depthBoat entry5mm 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 Giant kelp, Garibaldi, and Kelp bass (calico bass). Recent reports put the water around 21°C (69°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 4h ago
0.9 mwaves — under a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 21°C · seasonal avg 19°C

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

Best: Sun
Sun7:00–21:00
Mon7:00–21:00
Tue7:00–21:00
Wed7:00–21:00
Thu7:00–21:00
Fri7:00–20:00
Sat—

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:37 · Sunrise 6:05 · Sunset 20:03

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 6.4 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, Garibaldi, Kelp bass (calico bass)
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. Jan61%14°C1.1 m
  2. Feb54%14°C1.2 m
  3. Mar47%13°C1.1 m
  4. Apr74%14°C1.0 m
  5. May76%15°C0.9 m
  6. Jun86%17°C0.9 m
  7. Jul99%19°C0.8 m
  8. Aug92%20°C0.8 m
  9. Sep82%20°C0.8 m
  10. Oct78%19°C0.9 m
  11. Nov70%17°C0.9 m
  12. Dec63%16°C1.0 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
  • GaribaldiCommonly seen
  • Kelp bass (calico bass)Commonly seen
  • Gorgonian sea fansCommonly seen
  • California spiny lobsterCommonly seen
  • Harbor sealOccasionally seen
  • California sea lionCommonly seen
  • NudibranchsCommonly seen

Fills & rentals nearby

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

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)

Reviews

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