Stillwater Cove
As you explore the underwater environment, you'll encounter stunning rock formations that extend for approximately 250-300 yards. These rocks create a wall-like environment, with a depth drop of over 50 feet, offering an exciting diving opportunity for both beginner and advanced divers.
To make your visit even more convenient, there is an unloading parking area located at the entrance of the cove. You can park your vehicle at the Stillwater Cove Campground Day Use Parking Area. This area also provides essential amenities such as restrooms, picnic tables, and BBQ facilities, allowing you to relax and enjoy the beach before or after your dive.
Under the crystal-clear water, a diverse array of marine life awaits you. Keep an eye out for giant starfish, brittle starfish, lemon nudibranchs, urchins, octopuses, abalones, perches, and a variety of rock fish, including ling cod and cabezon. The vibrant underwater ecosystem will captivate divers of all experience levels.
With a maximum depth of 11 meters and a visibility of around 4 meters, this dive site offers a comfortable and safe diving environment. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced diver, you'll find something to appreciate in the diverse marine life and unique underwater landscape.
Plan your dive adventure today and discover the wonders of this dive site located near Coast Highway, Stewarts Point, Sea Ranch, Sonoma County, California, United States.
Diving Conditions Score for Stillwater Cove
Poor conditions, not recommended.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.
Dive Site Overview for Stillwater Cove
Depth
11m
Visibility
4m
Experience Level
Weather Conditions for Stillwater Cove
Wave Height
1.36m
Wind Speed
12.5 m/s
Water Temp
15.7°C
Visibility
200m
Cloud Cover
100%
Wave Period
9.5s
Air Temperature
12.9°C
Precipitation
0 mm
Dive Score Chart for Stillwater Cove
Best time to dive: 15:00 with score 4.680849673202614/10. Water conditions: Waves 1.34m, Wind 2.6 m/s.Best night dive time: 1:00 with score 4.925460992907801/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Optimal diving conditions at Stillwater Cove 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.
Score: 4.9/10
Waves: 1.36m (9.4s), Wind: 13.2 m/s
Score: 4.6/10
Waves: 1.36m (9.95s), Wind: 0.8 m/s
Score: 4.7/10
Waves: 1.34m, Wind: 2.6 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for Stillwater CoveAlpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Stillwater Cove
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 Stillwater Cove
Winter
Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.
Best Months for Stillwater Cove
Ideal Conditions for Stillwater Cove
Water Temp
16.7°C / 62.1°F
August
Visibility
16.9m / 55.4ft
January
Wave Height
0.6m / 2.0ft
January
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for Stillwater Cove
Stillwater Cove shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with August being the warmest month (16.7°C) and December the coldest (5.5°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 0.6m 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