Boat Diving in San Diego

Wreck Alley in San Diego

The premiere diving attraction of San Diego. This wonderful underwater adventure consists of a group of artifical reefs less than one mile off the San Diego coast. These sites are home to thousands of anemone and other sea life. The sites remain buoyed throughout the year for your safety and convenience, thanks to local Dive Boat Operators, San Diego Oceans Foundation and the Department of Fish and Game.

Wreck Alley is for the skilled and experienced divers only. Please keep in mind the rating system for determining the proper destinations for your skill level. If we do not have a trip that meets your experience, we do have DM's for hire for your adventure pleasures. Please be aware that we do not allow any hunting or removal of any artifacts in wreck alley.

The Yukon

Coordinates:
32 46.80N 117 17.12W

Skill Rating – Novice in calm, clear conditions.

The YukonThe YukonThe newest addition to San Diego's Wreck Alley. A 366' Canadian Destroyer Escort lieing in 105 feet of water off Mission Beach in the Northern Tip of Wreck Alley. The HMCS Yukon is San Diego's latest and most popular wreck. It is different from nearly all other wrecks as it is completely intact, which also makes it one of California's harderst wrecks to dive. Lieing on her port side, this amazing attraction has a minimum depth from bow to stern of about 75 feet along the starboard side. In year 2000, she was intentionally sunk by the San Diego Oceans Foundation as part of an artificial reef project. She was prepared for divers with an abundance of entry/exit holes to increase accessibility and diver safety. Penetration is readily available for those with the proper skill level.

Plumose AnemoneThis underwater reef is home to no less than 1000 Plumose anenome (Metridium senile). Growing Predominantly in the 70 – 100 feet depth range, this spectacular anemone with its feathery branched tentacles exists in white, brown and orange forms.


The Ruby 'E'
Coordinates:
117 16'36' W 32 46'02' N

Skill Rating – Novice in calm, clear conditions.

The RubyThe Ruby 'E' began her life as the Coast Guard Cutter named "Cyane". Built in 1934, the 165' vessel was designed to intercept 'Rum Runners' during the Prohibition period. After Prohibition, she served dutifully in Alaska for 16 years and was officicaly decomissioned in 1950. Her career included Bering Sea and Alaskan Anti-Submarine Patrols during WWII. Before her last years of topside service as a salvage vessel, she was renamed Ruby 'E'. On June 18, 1989, she began her new life as an artificial reef thanks to Al Bruton and the local diving community convincing the Tug and Barge Company to donate the stripped ship to wreck alley. She now sits in 85 feet of water in an upright position. All the hatches have been made larger and most rooms have an exit to the outside. Penetration is availaible for those with the proper training.

Strawberry AnemoneThe wreck is in great condition and completely covered with strawberry anemonies (Corynactis californica) and other marine encrustations. Opportunitys for photography are endless with the wreck itself and the amount of marine life living on or around the wreck. The Ruby 'E' has truly become an oasis in the sand flats of Wreck Alley.

*It is recommended that divers have at least 10 cold water dives within the last 18 months to do this dive.


The El Rey
Coordinates:
32"45'51" N 117"16'36" W

Skill Rating – Novice in calm, clear conditions.

The El ReySan Diego's first site as part of the Artificial Reef Project. As one of Kelco's kelp cutters she harvested three feet of the kelp canopy from Point Conception to Mexico. During her 35 year career, she was also used to study marine life, assist other vessels in need, and occassionaly recover bodies. After some 3600 voyages and traveling 810,000 miles, the aginguctors and the California Department of Fish and game developed an Artificial Reef Program. In 1987, she was lowered into the sea to begin her new life as an artificial reef in San Diego's Wreck Alley.

The El Rey sits upright at the bottom of the ocean floor at a 90 foot depth. Over the years, heavy swells and currents have taken their toll and many areas of the superstructure and hull have collapsed. A few areas of the wreck can be penetrated but the wooden superstructure has badly deteriorated. The wreck is home to an abundance of marine swimming around and living inside the wreck and offers a great opportunity for photographs.

*It is recommended that divers have at least 10 cold water dives within the last 18 months to do this dive.


N.O.S.C Tower

Coordinates:
32"46'21" N 117"16'03" W

Skill Rating – Novice to beginner. With a maximum depth of 60 foot, this is a good site for new and beginner divers. Entanglement hazards do exist, so be advised of the conditions and ask your DM aboard for further guidance.

A research platfrom built by the Naval Ocean Systems Center in 1959. Knocked over by an El Nino strom in 1988, the NOSC (Naval Ocean Systems Center) Tower once sttod over 100 feet tall and was used for research of internal waves, swell, wave propagation and numerous other areas. Consisting of four stories, the tower had a dive platform, and above that labs that have parts missing that still haven't been found. Today it's a tangle of girders and beams from 30 to 60 feet. The wonderful underwater "jungle gym" is thickly covered with filter feeders like strawberry and yellow anemones, purple and brown gorgonians, hydrocorals, mussels, sponges and urchins. The "Tower" is a must see for divers exploring the underwater world of Wreck Alley and makes for a wonderful photo opportunity.


Point Loma Kelp Beds
Coordinates:
32' 42.50" N 117' 16.30" W

Kelp Beds, or kelp forests, are cold water marine habitats that feature a bounty of marine organims. Kelps are restricted to cold water climates because warmer waters tend to lack the rich supply of nutrients that kelp need to flourish. Many different types of kelp are found in kelp forests, among them are giant kelp, bullwhip kelp, the palm kelp and the feather boa kelp. Underwater kelp forests shelter snails, crabs, shrimp, starfish, sea anenomes, sea cucumbers, brittle, sea squirts and many other marine creatures. This kelp can grow up to 200 foot in ocean waters. Inside the Bulbous float at the end of the kelp is gas containing carbon monoxide.

Kelp BedsThis is a must see for divers visiting San Diego. This amazing adventure has an annual temperature averaging 60 degrees, the kelp is very healthy and supports an enormous amount of plant and fish life. A series of unique pinnacles and shelves along the bottom, interspersed among the kelp, give the feeling of truly being in a primeval forest. Only New Zealand comes close to matching this underwater forest haven.


Los Coronado Islands, Mexico
Coordinates:
32.43' N 117.27' W

Skill Rating – Beginner to Novice, this is a good site for new divers and often used for OW training.

Lying just 15 miles south of San Diego's Point Loma, "The Coronados" have fast become a favorite amongst the diving community due to the large Sea Lian and Horbor Seal Colonies. Although close to San Diego, they are just enough offshore to be bathed in very clear water. Coronado Del Norte (north island) is the northernmost island and the most frequented by San Diego Dive Boats. With diving visibility averaging between 50' – 150', and common encounters with Sea Lions, Harbor Seals, octopus, Horn Sharks, Moray Eels, Garibaldis and purple coral – this is diving you won't soon forget. The most popular spots at North Island are The Keyhole and The Lobster Shack. With depths ranging 10 – 130 feet, and even a small wreck near The Lobster Shack, the "Coronados" are an excellent place for any skill level and a must see attraction.