Yellowbanks Anchorage
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.
Dived here today? How were conditions vs. what we showed?
About this site
Yellowbanks Anchorage off Santa Cruz Island offers kelp forests teeming with garibaldi, sea lions, and occasional bat rays. The rocky reef slopes to sandy patches, with visibility often reaching 30 feet. Mild currents make it ideal for beginners, while deeper sections attract advanced divers. Water temps range 50-65°F, so a thick wetsuit is recommended. The site's shallow areas are perfect for snorkeling among vibrant anemones and schooling fish.
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
Red Sea UrchinMesocentrotus franciscanusReported here · unconfirmed
Pacific Purple Sea UrchinStrongylocentrotus purpuratusReported here · unconfirmed
Durable tips from divers — access, hazards, marine life, facilities. For day-of conditions, use the report tool in the conditions card above.
No notes yet. Dived here? Be the first to leave a tip.
Share a write-up or a photo. Submissions are reviewed before they appear on the page.
Nearby dive sites
Shops that dive here
No shops have listed this site yet.