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Map of Ship Rock (Catalina Island)
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IntermediateBoat entry

Ship Rock (Catalina Island)

California, United States
Open Water suggested5–37 m depthBoat entry3mm wetsuit typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Ship Rock (Catalina Island) at a glance

Ship Rock (Catalina Island) is a intermediate boat dive site in California, United States with depths of 4.6–36.6 m (15–120 ft). Typically most favorable Jul–Aug · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see California spiny lobster, Garibaldi, 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 13h 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: Current on the outer sides, depth drops quickly away from the rock, boat traffic near Isthmus Cove

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Mon
Mon7:00–20:00
Tue7:00–20:00
Wed7:00–20:00
Thu7:00–20:00
Fri7:00–20:00
Sat7:00–20:00
Sun—

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:35 · Sunrise 6:03 · Sunset 19:57

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 9.9 km from site · graded 13h 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: California spiny lobster, Garibaldi, Blacksmith
Best time: Summer and fall for warmest water and best visibility (40-80 ft common)

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. Jan62%15°C1.6 m
  2. Feb60%15°C1.6 m
  3. Mar57%14°C1.6 m
  4. Apr83%15°C1.3 m
  5. May89%17°C1.2 m
  6. Jun98%19°C1.1 m
  7. Jul100%21°C1.0 m
  8. Aug100%21°C1.0 m
  9. Sep99%21°C1.0 m
  10. Oct87%20°C1.1 m
  11. Nov84%17°C1.2 m
  12. Dec72%16°C1.3 m

July and August 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 seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

  • California spiny lobsterCommonly seen
  • GaribaldiCommonly seen
  • BlacksmithCommonly seen
  • California sea lionCommonly seen
  • Horn sharkOccasionally seen
  • Swell sharkOccasionally seen
  • Kelp bass (calico bass)Commonly seen
  • Moray eelOccasionally seen

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

A guano-capped pinnacle about two miles off Isthmus Cove at Catalina that resembles a ship under sail, rising from deep water to break the surface. Boulder slopes and kelp-covered reef descend from 15 ft to sand at 120+ ft at the base, with structure continuing far deeper for technical divers. It is one of Catalina's signature boat dives, with abundant lobster, schooling blacksmith and frequent sea lion fly-bys.

boatpinnaclereefwall

Current on the outer sides, depth drops quickly away from the rock, boat traffic near Isthmus Cove

Reviews

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