North America · United States
San Diego — Wreck Alley, Point Loma & Coronado Islands
A sunken Canadian destroyer and giant kelp a short boat ride from Mission Bay
San Diego's boat diving, run on day charters out of Mission Bay. Wreck Alley, about 3 km off Mission Beach, is a field of ships sunk as artificial reefs, led by the 112-metre Canadian destroyer HMCS Yukon and the former Coast Guard cutter Ruby E. The Point Loma kelp forest covers rocky reef from about 8 m to 35 m, and full-day trips cross into Mexican waters at the Coronado Islands. The water sits at 10–11 °C most of the year, about 8 °C in February and March and 13–14 °C from August into October.
About diving in San Diego — Wreck Alley, Point Loma & Coronado Islands
The diving here is done from day boats out of Mission Bay. Marissa Charters boards at Mission Bay Sports Center, where parking is free, and the standard Wreck Alley trip is two dives on the Yukon and the Ruby E, about 3 km (2 miles) off Mission Beach. Other days head south to the kelp off Point Loma, whose stops include Treefish Terrace, Divers Disneyland, Strawberry Ledges and Lost City. A full day takes the boat into Mexican waters at the Coronado Islands, about 29 km (18 miles) south, and each diver carries a passport book on board for the whole trip.
Two kinds of bottom make up the diving. Wreck Alley holds vessels sunk on purpose as artificial reefs, among them the 112-metre destroyer Yukon on her port side, the 50-metre cutter Ruby E and the kelp cutter El Rey, along with the old NOSC research tower that a storm knocked down. Off Point Loma, giant kelp grows on rocky reef from about 8 m (25 ft) on the shallow reefs to 35 m (114 ft) on the deepest pinnacles. Garibaldi, sheephead and lobster live under the canopy, a sevengill shark passes now and then, and California sea lions and seals gather around the Coronados.
It suits divers comfortable in cold water, 10–11 °C most of the year, who want wrecks and kelp from a boat. The Yukon needs Advanced Open Water, while several Point Loma kelp sites are fine on an Open Water card. Afternoons can bring mild to moderate surface current, and boats run a current line to pull along. Divers who would rather walk in from the beach are better served just north at La Jolla Cove & Canyon, where a second kelp forest grows.
Best time to dive San Diego — Wreck Alley, Point Loma & Coronado Islands
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Good |
Visibility is best from late summer into autumn and poorest from late winter through spring; lobster season runs October to March.
Dive types & marine life
Garibaldi, sheephead and lobster live on the Point Loma reef under the kelp canopy, and a sevengill shark passes through now and then. Lobster season runs from October through March. It is not uncommon to see groups of California sea lions and seals around the Coronado Islands.
- Wreck
- Kelp forest
- Reef
- Seals & sea lions
Best dive sites in San Diego — Wreck Alley, Point Loma & Coronado Islands
- 1
HMCS Yukon
A 112-metre Mackenzie-class destroyer (366 feet), sunk in July 2000 and lying on her port side.
- 2
Ruby E
The 50-metre Coast Guard cutter Cyane (165 feet), built in Seattle in 1934 to enforce Prohibition.
- 3
Coronado Islands
Mexican islands about 29 km south (18 miles); landing is prohibited, the waters are dived.
- 4
El Rey
A former Kelco kelp cutter that harvested the canopy from Point Conception to Mexico.
- 5
NOSC Tower
A Naval Ocean Systems Center research tower built in 1959 about 800 m offshore, knocked down in a storm.
- 6
Treefish Terrace
One of the Point Loma kelp stops, giant kelp over rocky reef.
Site guides
Reef
Playful sea lion pups in clearer water across the Mexican border
Sand, giant rock crevices and kelp on one shallow Point Loma dive
Wreck
A collapsed wooden kelp harvester grown over with strawberry anemones
Wreck
A destroyer on her side, starboard rail at 17 m and bow at 32 m
Artificial reef
A demolished city bridge turned into reef, with eels and octopus
A storm-felled research tower, a maze without a true overhead
Wreck
An upright 1934 Prohibition cutter with a wheelhouse to look into
How to get to San Diego — Wreck Alley, Point Loma & Coronado Islands
San Diego International Airport is less than 10 minutes from downtown San Diego. Marissa Charters boards at Mission Bay Sports Center, 1010 Santa Clara Place, where parking is free. Coronado Islands trips cross into Mexican waters, so a passport book is needed on board.
Dive videos
Scuba Diving the HMCS Yukon and Ruby E in San Diego · Big Ace Films on YouTube
Diving The Coronado Islands, Mexican Wildlife Refuge from San Diego California · Karim Lounes on YouTube
Questions divers ask
What certification does the HMCS Yukon need?+
The Yukon needs Advanced Open Water, while several Point Loma kelp sites are fine on an Open Water card.
What do divers need for the Coronado Islands near San Diego?+
Coronado Islands trips cross into Mexican waters about 29 km (18 miles) south, so each diver carries a passport book on board for the whole trip. Landing on the islands is prohibited.
When is visibility best for diving in San Diego?+
Visibility is best from late summer into autumn and poorest from late winter through spring. The water sits at 10–11 °C most of the year and drops to about 8 °C in February and March.
Is San Diego diving from shore or by boat?+
The diving is done from day boats out of Mission Bay, with Wreck Alley about 3 km (2 miles) off Mission Beach. Divers who would rather walk in from the beach are better served just north at La Jolla Cove & Canyon.
Sources
- Wreck Alley Dive Charter San Diego — Marissa Charters
- Point Loma Kelp Dive Charter — Marissa Charters
- Coronado Islands Dive Trip — Marissa Charters
- Marissa Charters FAQ — Marissa Charters
- Waterhorse Charters — Waterhorse Charters
- Wreck Alley — Wikipedia
- Coronado Islands — Wikipedia
- San Diego — Wikivoyage
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