Desert Tortoise
Conditions
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Marine forecast via Copernicus Marine. Score is a rule-based guide from swell/wind vs. the site's exposure — always dive your own assessment.
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About this site
Desert Tortoise is a dive site at Lake Pleasant, Arizona, accessible from shore and suited to a relaxed, repeated-entry style of diving — get in, surface, rest, and go again. The site sits within a freshwater lake environment where divers can log dives, practice skills, or simply enjoy a weekend in the water.
The bottom reaches 60–70 ft (18–21 m) from shore, with technical diving available at greater depths beyond 100 ft (30 m) by boat. The site is rated as technical at its maximum depth of 61 m (200 ft).
Freshwater species at Desert Tortoise include catfish, carp, bluegill, and bass. The site is open year-round, with water temperatures in the mid-50s°F (13–15°C) at the surface in winter and warm enough in summer to dive without a wetsuit.
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Visibility swings significantly with the season: 40–60 ft (12–18 m) in the cold winter months, dropping to just 5–10 ft (1.5–3 m) in summer. A drysuit is recommended for winter dives. The site works well for training, skills practice, and fun dives, with technical depth options available for appropriately certified divers.
Durable tips from divers — access, hazards, marine life, facilities. For day-of conditions, use the report tool in the conditions card above.
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