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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 (15–120 ft) depthBoat entry3mm wetsuit typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Ship Rock (Catalina Island) at a glance

Ship Rock (Catalina Island) is an 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 Blacksmith, Kelp bass (calico bass), and Swell shark. Recent reports put the water around 23°C (73°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Favorable window now· until 19:00 · sunset 18:07

Forecast for this hour · 10:00 · run 12 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 23°C · seasonal avg 20°C ( · Forecast 73°F · seasonal avg 67°F)

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

Mon8:00–19:00 favorable

0.9 m waves · 12 kn wind (2.9 ft waves · 12 kn wind)

Tue8:00–19:00 favorable

1.1 m waves · 6 kn wind (3.4 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

Wed8:00–19:00 favorable

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

Thu8:00–19:00 favorable

0.9 m waves · 5 kn wind (2.8 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Fri8:00–19:00 favorable

0.8 m waves · 5 kn wind (2.5 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Sat8:00–19:00 favorable

0.8 m waves · 4 kn wind (2.5 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 6:42 · Sunrise 7:07 · Sunset 18:07 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 9.9 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 22:22 GMT-7

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Ship Rock (Catalina Island)

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: Blacksmith, Kelp bass (calico bass), California spiny lobster
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. January, 62% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (59°F), waves have typically been 1.6 m (5.1 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  2. February, 60% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (58°F), waves have typically been 1.6 m (5.2 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots
  3. March, 57% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 14°C (58°F), waves have typically been 1.6 m (5.2 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots
  4. April, 83% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (59°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.2 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  5. May, 89% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 17°C (62°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.8 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  6. June, 98% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 19°C (66°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.5 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  7. July, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 21°C (69°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.1 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 21°C (70°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.1 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots, historically most favorable
  9. September, 99% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 21°C (70°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.2 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  10. October, 87% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 20°C (67°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.8 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  11. November, 84% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 17°C (63°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (4.0 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots
  12. December, 72% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 16°C (61°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.3 ft), wind has typically been 8 knots

July and August 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 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

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