Juneau & Auke Bay · United States · Reef
Sunshine Cove
Nudibranch-covered reefs with sea lions from the next island
Area photo: Gillfoto · CC BY-SA 3.0
Sunshine Cove is a shore dive north of Juneau, reached down a steep trail, with reefs that run to 27 m (90 ft). The reefs are loaded with nudibranchs and the crab hunting is good. Benjamin Island, a major sea lion haulout, is the next island along, so sea lions sometimes join a dive here.
Also known as Sunshine Cove Underwater Trail.
Where it is and how deep
58.6078° N, 134.9302° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The dive starts with the walk: access is by a steep trail, so there is a bit of a hike with cold-water kit before reaching the water. The entry is from shore, and the reefs here are loaded with nudibranchs, which makes a slow pace worthwhile. Crab hunting on the same reefs is good. The cove itself is wide and surrounded by high, rocky cliffs, with a small island at its edge.
The reefs run down to 27 m (90 ft). Tide changes matter here, and the currents turn swift further out from the cove, so the dive is planned around the tide and kept close in. Benjamin Island, the next island away, is a major sea lion haulout, and sea lions sometimes visit divers during the dive. The dive ends back at the shore entry and the climb up the trail.
Marine life and season
- Nudibranchs
- Seals & sea lions
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair |
Season follows Juneau & Auke Bay: The spring bloom clouds the water until early June; from June most of the summer is usually good, with water in the 40s °F to around 50 °F (4-10 °C).
Know before you go
- Currents run swift further out from the cove; plan the dive around tide changes and stay close in when the tide is running.
- The entry is at the end of a steep trail; allow time and energy for carrying cold-water kit in and out.
Dive videos
2014-01-20 Diving Sunshine Cove · TheEmeraldSeas on YouTube
2013-10-27 Sunshine Cove Dive - Tochuina Tetraquetra's · TheEmeraldSeas on YouTube
Questions divers ask
How deep is Sunshine Cove near Juneau?+
The reefs at Sunshine Cove go down to 27 m (90 ft), with nudibranchs and crabs on the reefs along the way.
Are there sea lions at Sunshine Cove?+
Sometimes. Benjamin Island, a major sea lion haulout, is the next island away, and sea lions occasionally visit divers in the cove.
Sources
- Sunshine Cove Underwater Trail — SEAtrails
- Sunshine Cove (OpenStreetMap) — OpenStreetMap contributors
More dive sites in Juneau & Auke Bay
Wall
Sheer walls and crevasses to 24 m from a shore entry
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