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IntermediateShore entry

Sunshine Cove

Alaska, United States
Open Water suggested27 m depthShore entry7mm or semi-dry + hood typical

Sunshine Cove at a glance

Sunshine Cove is a intermediate shore dive site in Alaska, United States with depths of up to 27.4 m (90 ft). Typically most favorable Jun–Aug · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Nudibranchs, Dungeness crab, and Steller sea lion. Recent reports put the water around 16°C (60°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 5h ago
0.1 mwaves — under half a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 16°C · seasonal avg 16°C

Site hazards: Tide changes and swift currents farther out from the cove, cold water, steep access trail, remote location with no services

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Sun
Sun5:00–22:00
Mon5:00–22:00
Tue5:00–22:00
Wed5:00–22:00
Thu5:00–22:00
Fri5:00–22:00
Sat—

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 3:39 · Sunrise 4:37 · Sunset 21:34

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 2.7 km from site · graded 5h 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: Nudibranchs, Dungeness crab, Steller sea lion
Best time: Slack tide; plan a full day due to remoteness

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. Jan96%4°C0.4 m
  2. Feb98%3°C0.3 m
  3. Mar96%4°C0.4 m
  4. Apr100%5°C0.2 m
  5. May98%8°C0.2 m
  6. Jun100%12°C0.1 m
  7. Jul100%16°C0.1 m
  8. Aug100%16°C0.1 m
  9. Sep97%12°C0.3 m
  10. Oct95%9°C0.3 m
  11. Nov96%6°C0.4 m
  12. Dec94%4°C0.5 m

April, June, 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

  • NudibranchsCommonly seen
  • Dungeness crabCommonly seen
  • Steller sea lionCommonly seen
  • Kelp greenlingCommonly seen
  • Sea starsCommonly seen
  • RockfishCommonly seen

Fills & rentals nearby

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

Site details

Sunshine Cove is a designated SEAtrails underwater trail roughly 34 miles north of Juneau near the end of Glacier Highway, a wide cove framed by rocky cliffs with a small island at its edge. Reefs in the cove are loaded with nudibranchs and crabs, and Steller sea lions from the nearby Benjamin Island haulout frequently visit divers. Depths run to about 90 feet, and access is via a steep trail from a highway turnout down to the beach.

reefshore

Tide changes and swift currents farther out from the cove, cold water, steep access trail, remote location with no services

Reviews

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