How deep is Smitty's Cove?

Smitty's Cove ranges from 3 to 30.5 metres deep (10–100 feet) — a deep dive at its limit. It is a saltwater site rated as intermediate difficulty. Depths vary across the site, so plan your profile to your training and verify conditions locally.

Is Smitty's Cove a shore dive or a boat dive?

Smitty's Cove is a shore dive — you can enter from land. The entry is recorded as an easy walk-in. The entry area is recorded as sheltered from surge. No facilities are recorded at the site, and cell service is recorded as good. Entry details and parking notes, where known, are listed in the access section of this page.

Can beginners dive Smitty's Cove?

Smitty's Cove is rated as intermediate difficulty, which may not suit new divers. Listed depths run from 3 to 30.5 metres (10–100 feet). Access is from shore, with the entry recorded as an easy walk-in. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

When is the best time to dive Smitty's Cove?

The best time to dive Smitty's Cove is typically October through winter for best visibility. Conditions vary, so check the latest reports and forecasts on the dive site page before your trip.

What will I see at Smitty's Cove?

Divers at Smitty's Cove in United States commonly report sightings of Nudibranch, Sea star, Giant Pacific octopus, Rockfish, and Wolf eel. Nudibranch, Sea star, and Rockfish are recorded as common sightings, while Giant Pacific octopus and Wolf eel are reported only occasionally. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

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IntermediateShore entry

Smitty's Cove

Alaska, United StatesDirections

Open Water suggested3–31 m (10–100 ft) depthShore entry

Smitty's Cove at a glance

Smitty's Cove is an intermediate shore dive site in Alaska, United States with depths of 3–30.5 m (10–100 ft). The best time to dive is typically October through winter for best visibility. Divers commonly see Nudibranch, Sea star, and Giant Pacific octopus. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

No window in this week’s forecast

Model snapshot · updated 25 Oct, 05:26 UTC · run 16 h ago

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Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Cold water (drysuit conditions), reduced visibility in summer from plankton bloom and glacial runoff, occasional boat traffic, entanglement on sunken debris

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Dive windows this week

No dive windows in this week’s forecast — no stretch of daylight hours scored favorable or moderate for this site.

First light 16:18 · Sunrise 17:03 · Sunset 2:14

Source: Open-Meteo marine · updated 25 Oct, 05:26 UTC

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Smitty's Cove

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.

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What Divers Say

Known for: Nudibranch, Sea star, Rockfish

Best time: October through winter for best visibility

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

No seasonal history for this site yet — historical marine data is still being aggregated.

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

No dive shops mapped within 25 km (16 mi). Know one? Add it to the map.

Data updated June 2026

Site details

Smitty's Cove is the classic Alaska shore dive, located in Whittier on Prince William Sound about an hour from Anchorage via the Anton Anderson tunnel. The protected cove holds a collection of sunken features including a train car, an old pier, an airplane, WWII-era debris and artificial reef structures (cement reef balls and pyramids), all hosting dense invertebrate life. Anchorage dive shops use it year-round for training, with the best visibility (up to 70 ft) in fall and winter.

muckshorewreck

Cold water (drysuit conditions), reduced visibility in summer from plankton bloom and glacial runoff, occasional boat traffic, entanglement on sunken debris

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