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
Target Rock lies along the Central Coast of California, near the San Luis Obispo County shoreline in the vicinity of the Point Buchon and Montana de Oro area of the Pacific coast. This stretch of coastline features exposed rocky outcrops and kelp-lined nearshore waters typical of the region's cool-water reefs. The site sits over a rocky bottom and tops out at a shallow 7.6 metres, rated a beginner dive. Fishing line has been reported as a hazard here, so divers should keep an eye out for snags on the rock structure. Divers have also reported an unusual mix of species for this stretch of coast, including bannerfish, guitarfish, leopard sharks, manta rays, nurse sharks, and wobbegongs.
AI overviewMarine life here
Confirmed by our research team, reported by independent divers, or observed nearby via iNaturalist — each entry is labelled with its source.
Opalescent NudibranchHermissenda opalescensReported here · unconfirmed
California Sea LionZalophus californianusReported here · unconfirmed
Branched DendronotidDendronotus venustusReported here · unconfirmed
Striped Shore CrabPachygrapsus crassipesReported here · unconfirmed
BannerfishBannerfishReported here · unconfirmed
Manta rayManta rayReported here · unconfirmed
GuitarfishGuitarfishReported here · unconfirmed
Leopard / zebra sharkLeopard / zebra sharkReported here · unconfirmed
Nurse sharkNurse sharkReported here · unconfirmed
WobbegongWobbegongReported 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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