Sunrise Beach - Horsetooth Reservoir
During the spring and summer seasons, you'll encounter an abundance of friendly and approachable smallmouth bass. Explore the shoreline where the bluegill reside among the trees, and keep an eye out for crawdads as well. This diverse aquatic ecosystem provides a fascinating experience for divers of all levels.
Sunrise Beach holds a special place in the hearts of many divers. It serves as a gateway to their first open water experience and continues to be a hub for ongoing education and professional training. Its close proximity to Fort Collins and easy shore access make it an ideal location for both learning and recreational dives.
The shallow areas of Sunrise Beach are perfect for beginners and those pursuing open water certification. The limited visibility, ranging from 3 to 15 feet depending on the season and weather conditions, creates an ideal environment for Search and Recovery classes as well as Navigation courses. Additionally, all dives at this captivating spot are suitable for the Altitude class, offering unique learning opportunities.
With a maximum depth of 9 meters and a visibility of 2 meters, divers can explore this captivating underwater realm with ease. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced diver, there is something here for everyone. Embark on an unforgettable dive adventure at this remarkable location in the United States.
Note: This dive site is located in Foothills Trail, Larimer County, Colorado, 80521-3225, United States
Diving Conditions Score for Sunrise Beach - Horsetooth Reservoir
Decent conditions, proceed with caution.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.
Dive Site Overview for Sunrise Beach - Horsetooth Reservoir
Depth
9m
Visibility
2m
Experience Level
Weather Conditions for Sunrise Beach - Horsetooth Reservoir
Wave Height
1m
Wind Speed
10 m/s
Water Temp
18°C
Visibility
15km
Cloud Cover
57.5%
Wave Period
8s
Air Temperature
20°C
Precipitation
0 mm
Dive Score Chart for Sunrise Beach - Horsetooth Reservoir
Best time to dive: 6:00 with score 7.113333333333333/10. Water conditions: Waves 1m, Wind 10 m/s.Best night dive time: 0:00 with score 6.613333333333333/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Optimal diving conditions at Sunrise Beach - Horsetooth Reservoir 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: 7.1/10
Waves: 1m (8s), Wind: 10 m/s
Score: 6.6/10
Waves: 1m, Wind: 10 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for Sunrise Beach - Horsetooth ReservoirAlpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Sunrise Beach - Horsetooth Reservoir
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 Sunrise Beach - Horsetooth Reservoir
Winter
Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.
Best Months for Sunrise Beach - Horsetooth Reservoir
Ideal Conditions for Sunrise Beach - Horsetooth Reservoir
Water Temp
23.2°C / 73.8°F
July
Visibility
18.3m / 60.0ft
January
Wave Height
0.2m / 0.7ft
January
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for Sunrise Beach - Horsetooth Reservoir
Sunrise Beach - Horsetooth Reservoir shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with July being the warmest month (23.2°C) and February the coldest (-8.6°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 0.2m 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: 13 hr. ago - Jun 22, 2026