Lake Tahoe · United States · Freshwater · Artificial reef
Cave Rock
An artificial reef under the red marker buoy at 9 m
Area photo: Jeff Hopper jeffhopper · CC0
Cave Rock is a Nevada-shore boat launch and dive site where the bottom runs out to about 9 m at the red marker buoy, with an artificial reef beneath it. Visibility is 18 to 21 m over sand and large scattered rocks, entry is easy from the south end of the parking lot, and it is dived year-round by divers of all abilities. The site is held sacred by the Washoe Tribe.
Where it is and how deep
39.0464° N, 119.9488° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
Site maps published elsewhere
The dive
Access to the water is easy from the south end of the parking lot, and the $7 to $12 fee covers both parking and the boat launch. Surface swim out toward the red marker buoy: the depth reaches about 9 m (30 ft) as far out as the buoy, and with 18 to 21 m (60 to 70 ft) of visibility you can pick your descent line long before you get there rather than hunting for it underwater.
Descend at the buoy and you land on the artificial reef, the focus of the dive and the reason a site this shallow holds attention. The bottom around it is sand with large scattered rocks; expect lake trout and many crawdads. It is a year-round dive for divers of all abilities, but the launch ramp is right beside you: Nevada law requires divers to tow a dive flag and diving without one is subject to a citation, and boat traffic can be heavy, so listen and look before every ascent. The site is sacred to the Washoe, so leave everything where it lies.
Marine life and season
- Freshwater fish
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Off-season | Off-season | Off-season | Off-season | Fair | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Fair | Off-season | Off-season |
Season follows Lake Tahoe: Prime months run July to September; shore access such as D.L. Bliss State Park closes to vehicles once snow sets in, and deep water stays near 4°C even at the height of summer.
Know before you go
- The site is a boat launch area with sometimes heavy traffic — tow a diver's flag, which Nevada state law requires, and ascend under it rather than in open water.
Questions divers ask
Can you dive Cave Rock year-round?+
Yes — it is described as an excellent year-round site for divers of all abilities, with visibility of 18 to 21 m (60 to 70 ft) and a depth of about 9 m out at the red marker buoy.
Sources
- Lake Tahoe Dive Sites — Sierra Diving Center
- Cave Rock — OpenStreetMap
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