Ship Rock
Conditions & tides
Scored by DiveConnect's site-physics model
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
Ship Rock is a rock about 2 miles offshore from Isthmus Cove, a short way out from Bird Rock. It is exposed, and with its peak looks like a small Matterhorn, so it is easy to spot. Depths run from 20 to 130 feet (6 to 40 m).
The south and east sides are shallow and extend a distance off the main rock, with large rocks, plenty of kelp, lobster, moray eels, sheepshead, calico bass, kelp bass and other rockfish. A bat ray or sea lion may cruise past.
The north side drops steeply with small walls, large crevices and ledges, and gets deep fast. Sargassum stops at about 60 to 70 feet (18 to 21 m), and out along the slope there are schooling fish, big gorgonians and lots of invertebrates. It is a great spot for photographers.
Marine life here
Confirmed by our research team, reported by independent divers, or observed nearby via iNaturalist — each entry is labelled with its source.
Kelp BassParalabrax clathratusReported here · unconfirmed
Blacksmith ChromisChromis punctipinnisReported here · unconfirmed
California SheepheadBodianus pulcherReported here · unconfirmed
Rock WrasseHalichoeres semicinctusReported here · unconfirmed
GaribaldiHypsypops rubicundusReported here · unconfirmed
Crowned sea urchinCentrostephanus coronatusReported here · unconfirmed
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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