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Shore entry

Shaws Cove

California, United States
Open Water suggested3–15 m depthShore entry3mm wetsuit typical

Shaws Cove at a glance

Shaws Cove is a shore dive site in California, United States with depths of 3–15.2 m (10–50 ft). Typically most favorable Jun–Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Garibaldi, California sheephead, and Blacksmith. 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
0.9 mwaves — under a meter expected

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

Site hazards: Surge in 'the Crevice' rock-arch channel at the west point can push divers into rocks; mild shore break on the sandy entry; weekend crowds of scuba classes; sea lions haul out on the rocks and approaching them is illegal; lifeguards ticket divers without a float/flag or snorkel and solo divers; watch for boat traffic beyond the cove.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Sun
Sun7:00–20:00
Mon7:00–20:00
Tue7:00–20:00
Wed7:00–20:00
Thu7:00–16:00
Fri11:00–20:00
Sat—

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:32 · Sunrise 5:59 · Sunset 19:55

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 0.7 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: Garibaldi, California sheephead, Blacksmith
Best time: Year-round; best on small or flat south swells at slack tide, typically early morning before crowds and afternoon wind. Visibility usually 15-30 ft and sometimes better.

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. Jan68%15°C1.3 m
  2. Feb67%15°C1.3 m
  3. Mar71%14°C1.3 m
  4. Apr91%15°C1.1 m
  5. May97%17°C1.0 m
  6. Jun100%19°C0.9 m
  7. Jul100%21°C0.9 m
  8. Aug98%22°C0.9 m
  9. Sep99%21°C0.9 m
  10. Oct91%20°C1.0 m
  11. Nov93%18°C1.0 m
  12. Dec86%17°C1.1 m

June and July havetypically 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 recorded at this site, by month

Recorded observations — evidence of past sightings, not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

  • GaribaldiCommonly seen
  • California sheepheadCommonly seen
  • BlacksmithCommonly seen
  • Kelp bass (calico bass)Commonly seen
  • California moray eelCommonly seen
  • NudibranchsCommonly seen
  • California spiny lobsterCommonly seen
  • OctopusOccasionally seen
  • Bat rayOccasionally seen
  • Horn sharkOccasionally seen
  • Leopard sharkSeasonal
  • California halibutOccasionally seen
  • Harbor sealOccasionally seen
  • Sea lionOccasionally seen

  • Hypsypops rubicundus recorded here Jan, Apr–May, Nov (4 records)

    most recent 2014

  • Randallia ornata recorded here Apr–May (3 records)

    most recent 2014

  • Pisaster brevispinus recorded here Apr–May (2 records)

    most recent 2014

  • Pisaster ochraceus recorded here Apr–May (2 records)

    most recent 2014

  • Sebastes atrovirens recorded here Apr–May (2 records)

    most recent 2014

  • Asteroidea recorded here Jan (1 record)

    most recent 2012

  • Gibbonsia elegans recorded here Apr (1 record)

    most recent 2013

  • Gymnothorax mordax recorded here Nov (1 record)

    most recent 2013

Counts are occurrence records near this site from public biodiversity datasets (GBIF), grouped by calendar month across all sampled years. Sightings vary — past records are context, not a prediction.

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

Shaw's Cove is arguably the most popular shore dive in Orange County: a small, swell-protected sandy cove in north Laguna Beach reached by a 58-step staircase off Cliff Drive. The best diving is along the rocky reef on the west side, where a channel called the Crevice cuts through a rock arch toward Crescent Bay, with kelp, gorgonians and abundant fish in 15-40 ft of water (about 50 ft maximum). Calm conditions and an easy sandy entry make it a standing venue for weekend training classes, and it lies within Laguna Beach's marine protected waters, so no take is allowed.

reefshore

Surge in 'the Crevice' rock-arch channel at the west point can push divers into rocks; mild shore break on the sandy entry; weekend crowds of scuba classes; sea lions haul out on the rocks and approaching them is illegal; lifeguards ticket divers without a float/flag or snorkel and solo divers; watch for boat traffic beyond the cove.

Reviews

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