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Scripps Canyon

California, United StatesDirections
AOW suggested21–31 m (70–100 ft) depthBoth entry3mm wetsuit typical

Scripps Canyon at a glance

Scripps Canyon is an advanced both dive site in California, United States with depths of 21.3–30.5 m (70–100 ft). Typically most favorable Jun–Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Broadnose sevengill shark, Nudibranchs (various), and California spiny lobster. Recent reports put the water around 25°C (76°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Next window today· 8:00–19:00 · favorable & moderate · sunset 18:03

Forecast for this hour · 3:00 · run 4 h ago
0.8 m (2.6 ft)waves — under a meter expected (waves — about three feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 25°C · seasonal avg 20°C ( · Forecast 76°F · seasonal avg 68°F)

Site hazards: Sheer walls dropping far beyond recreational limits (canyon bottoms out near 900 ft) - a 'bottomless' dive demanding precise buoyancy and depth awareness; dark, low-reflectivity walls and frequently poor visibility; cold upwellings into the low 50s and even 40s F; disorientation in the narrow canyon branches; long hike over slippery boulders far from lifeguard help, impassable at high tide; boat traffic if diving from charters.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Smallest waves: Mon
Mon8:00–15:00 favorable, 15:00–19:00 moderate

0.8 m waves · 8 kn wind (2.6 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Tue8:00–19:00 moderate

1.0 m waves · 6 kn wind (3.2 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

Wed8:00–19:00 moderate

1.0 m waves · 5 kn wind (3.2 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Thu8:00–19:00 moderate

0.9 m waves · 5 kn wind (2.9 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Fri8:00–18:00 moderate

0.9 m waves · 5 kn wind (2.9 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Sat8:00–18:00 moderate

0.9 m waves · 4 kn wind (3.1 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

SunNot in the forecast yet

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 6:36 · Sunrise 7:02 · Sunset 18:03 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 3.2 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 22:25 GMT-7

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Scripps Canyon

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.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Nudibranchs (various), California spiny lobster, Scorpionfish
Best time: Calm small-swell days with the shore hike done at low tide in the cool early morning (hiking in 7mm/drysuit is brutal in heat); fall typically brings the best visibility. Check buoy/cable status with the local dive community beforehand.

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, 70% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (59°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.3 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots
  2. February, 66% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (59°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.5 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  3. March, 62% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (59°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.6 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  4. April, 89% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 16°C (60°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.9 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots
  5. May, 96% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 18°C (64°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.8 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  6. June, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 20°C (67°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.5 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots, historically most favorable
  7. July, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 21°C (70°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.3 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 98% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 22°C (72°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.4 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  9. September, 99% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 22°C (72°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.3 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  10. October, 92% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 20°C (68°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.6 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  11. November, 91% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 18°C (64°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.5 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  12. December, 88% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 17°C (63°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.6 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots

June and July have 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

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.

Data updated June 2026

Site details

A narrow, sheer-walled branch of the La Jolla canyon system near the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, with vertical rock walls plunging toward roughly 1,600-foot depths. A popular site for scientific and recreational diving thanks to the high density of marine life on its walls, usually dived by boat. Coordinates estimated at the canyon head offshore of Scripps Pier.

boatshorewall

Sheer walls dropping far beyond recreational limits (canyon bottoms out near 900 ft) - a 'bottomless' dive demanding precise buoyancy and depth awareness; dark, low-reflectivity walls and frequently poor visibility; cold upwellings into the low 50s and even 40s F; disorientation in the narrow canyon branches; long hike over slippery boulders far from lifeguard help, impassable at high tide; boat traffic if diving from charters.

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