Perch Lake
Perch Lake, located in the beautiful City of Santa Rosa, NM, is a must-visit dive site for both beginners and expert divers. To enjoy this underwater wonderland, divers are required to obtain a permit from the city's park services. While the "Blue Hole" may attract more divers with its impressive depth and crystal-clear visibility, Perch Lake offers a unique and thrilling experience with limited visibility, the opportunity to explore a wrecked plane, and much more.
As you explore the underwater world of Perch Lake, you may encounter various aquatic life, including catfish and other fascinating species. Keep an eye out for the occasional presence of ducks and other water birds, especially during the fall season. However, be cautious of fishing lines near the plane wreck to ensure your safety.
Diving in Perch Lake offers a slightly challenging experience, with low visibility ranging from 3 to 10 feet. The water is cold, but if you come prepared with the right gear, you'll have an amazing time exploring its depths. For your safety, it's recommended to exit the water using the shoreline steps, as the dock ladder is currently in poor condition.
The maximum depth at Perch Lake reaches an impressive 12 meters, making it suitable for divers of all levels, from beginners to advanced and expert divers. Whether you're just starting your diving journey or you're a seasoned diver seeking new challenges, Perch Lake has something for everyone.
Located at County Road 2 P, Santa Rosa, Guadalupe County, New Mexico, 87435, United States, this captivating dive site is easily accessible and offers a unique diving experience in the heart of the United States.
Prepare yourself for a dive filled with adventure and discovery at Perch Lake. Obtain your permit, gather your diving gear, and get ready to explore the depths of this hidden gem. Don't forget to check the water visibility, which averages around 4 meters, and enjoy the thrill of diving in this incredible underwater landscape.
As you explore the underwater world of Perch Lake, you may encounter various aquatic life, including catfish and other fascinating species. Keep an eye out for the occasional presence of ducks and other water birds, especially during the fall season. However, be cautious of fishing lines near the plane wreck to ensure your safety.
Diving in Perch Lake offers a slightly challenging experience, with low visibility ranging from 3 to 10 feet. The water is cold, but if you come prepared with the right gear, you'll have an amazing time exploring its depths. For your safety, it's recommended to exit the water using the shoreline steps, as the dock ladder is currently in poor condition.
The maximum depth at Perch Lake reaches an impressive 12 meters, making it suitable for divers of all levels, from beginners to advanced and expert divers. Whether you're just starting your diving journey or you're a seasoned diver seeking new challenges, Perch Lake has something for everyone.
Located at County Road 2 P, Santa Rosa, Guadalupe County, New Mexico, 87435, United States, this captivating dive site is easily accessible and offers a unique diving experience in the heart of the United States.
Prepare yourself for a dive filled with adventure and discovery at Perch Lake. Obtain your permit, gather your diving gear, and get ready to explore the depths of this hidden gem. Don't forget to check the water visibility, which averages around 4 meters, and enjoy the thrill of diving in this incredible underwater landscape.
Diving Conditions Score for Perch Lake
5
AverageAverage conditions, be alert.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.
Dive Site Overview for Perch Lake
Depth
12m
Visibility
4m
Experience Level
beginner
advanced
expert
Weather Conditions for Perch Lake
Wave Height
1m
Wind Speed
17 m/s
Water Temp
18°C
Visibility
84.2km
Cloud Cover
3%
Wave Period
8s
Air Temperature
35.3°C
Precipitation
0 mm
Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Perch Lake
Alpha
Dive Score Chart for Perch Lake
Best time to dive: 8:00 with score 7.580733333333333/10. Water conditions: Waves 1m, Wind 0.8 m/s.Best night dive time: 4:00 with score 6.479733333333333/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Sunrise at Perch Lake: 06:00
Sunset at Perch Lake: 18:00
Optimal diving conditions at Perch Lake 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
8:00Score: 7.6/10
Waves: 1m (8s), Wind: 0.8 m/s
Best Night
4:00Score: 6.5/10
Waves: 1m, Wind: 6.9 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for Perch LakeAlpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Perch Lake
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 Perch Lake
Winter
Avg. Score: 8.5/10
Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.
Best Months for Perch Lake
January
Score: 8.7
February
Score: 8.4
December
Score: 8.4
Ideal Conditions for Perch Lake
Water Temp
28.2°C / 82.8°F
July
Visibility
12.0m / 39.4ft
January
Wave Height
1.7m / 5.6ft
January
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for Perch Lake
Perch Lake shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with July being the warmest month (28.2°C) and December the coldest (0.2°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 1.7m 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 - Jul 7, 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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