Camp Emerald Bay
Camp Emerald Bay, located on Catalina Island in the United States, is not only a renowned Boy Scouts of America camp but also a premier dive site. Divers of all levels, especially beginners, will find this site exceptionally appealing due to its convenient beach entry and gently sloping bottom. The stunning kelp forest that lies just offshore enhances the experience, creating a picturesque underwater landscape.
When exploring the crystal-clear waters of Camp Emerald Bay, divers can expect to encounter a diverse range of marine life. The kelp forests are teeming with kelpfish, opaleye, rockfish, urchins, wrasse, seabass, sheepshead, garibaldi, and a whole host of other fascinating creatures. Keep an eye out for batrays, electric rays, playful sea lions, and the occasional appearance of dolphins, adding an element of excitement to every dive.
With an impressive visibility of 11 meters and a maximum depth of 14 meters, Camp Emerald Bay guarantees an immersive and awe-inspiring underwater adventure. Located in Los Angeles County, California, the site's close proximity to Kona Kai and easy accessibility make it an ideal destination for divers from all around. Whether you are a seasoned diver or just starting your underwater journey, Camp Emerald Bay promises a memorable diving experience that will leave you captivated by the beauty of Catalina Island's waters.
When exploring the crystal-clear waters of Camp Emerald Bay, divers can expect to encounter a diverse range of marine life. The kelp forests are teeming with kelpfish, opaleye, rockfish, urchins, wrasse, seabass, sheepshead, garibaldi, and a whole host of other fascinating creatures. Keep an eye out for batrays, electric rays, playful sea lions, and the occasional appearance of dolphins, adding an element of excitement to every dive.
With an impressive visibility of 11 meters and a maximum depth of 14 meters, Camp Emerald Bay guarantees an immersive and awe-inspiring underwater adventure. Located in Los Angeles County, California, the site's close proximity to Kona Kai and easy accessibility make it an ideal destination for divers from all around. Whether you are a seasoned diver or just starting your underwater journey, Camp Emerald Bay promises a memorable diving experience that will leave you captivated by the beauty of Catalina Island's waters.
Diving Conditions Score for Camp Emerald Bay
5.1
AverageAverage conditions, be alert.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.
Dive Site Overview for Camp Emerald Bay
Depth
14m
Visibility
11m
Experience Level
beginner
Weather Conditions for Camp Emerald Bay
Wave Height
0.96m
Wind Speed
13.3 m/s
Water Temp
20.2°C
Visibility
14.4km
Cloud Cover
66%
Wave Period
11.45s
Air Temperature
17.9°C
Precipitation
0 mm
Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Camp Emerald Bay
Alpha
Dive Score Chart for Camp Emerald Bay
Best time to dive: 12:00 with score 7.772749003984064/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.98m, Wind 2.3 m/s.Best night dive time: 5:00 with score 6.886481609195403/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Sunrise at Camp Emerald Bay: 06:00
Sunset at Camp Emerald Bay: 18:00
Optimal diving conditions at Camp Emerald Bay are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Best Overall
12:00Score: 7.8/10
Waves: 0.98m (12.55s), Wind: 2.3 m/s
Best Night
5:00Score: 6.9/10
Waves: 0.98m, Wind: 6.5 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for Camp Emerald BayAlpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Camp Emerald Bay
The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.
Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Seasonal DiveScore Chart
This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Best Season for Camp Emerald Bay
Winter
Avg. Score: 9.2/10
Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.
Best Months for Camp Emerald Bay
January
Score: 9.5
December
Score: 9.1
February
Score: 9.0
Ideal Conditions for Camp Emerald Bay
Water Temp
20.9°C / 69.6°F
September
Visibility
16.5m / 54.1ft
January
Wave Height
0.7m / 2.3ft
January
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for Camp Emerald Bay
Camp Emerald Bay shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with September being the warmest month (20.9°C) and December the coldest (10.1°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 0.7m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in January with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). January is usually the driest month with 0.0mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during January to March, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.
Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 23, 2026
Note: This dive site is not a verified dive site. Please dive with caution. This dive site might have incorrect information by the community.
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