

Best for beginner divers, 8-12m, shore entry, mild current.
Fort Ross on the Mendocino Coast offers a shore-entry dive featuring a reef and kelp forest. Divers typically explore depths between 8 and 12 metres, with an average depth of 10 metres. The site is suitable for beginners, though conditions require careful management of surge, swell, and mild currents. Visibility ranges from 5 to 10 metres, and water temperatures remain between 10 and 12 degrees Celsius, necessitating thick thermal protection. Divers should be aware of potential entanglement risks within the kelp and monitor for variable visibility. Parking is available on-site, but divers must bring all necessary equipment as there are no local rental or fill facilities.
38.50903, -123.23638
Parking in the lower lot next to the beach is restricted to loading, unloading, and emergency vehicles; use the parking at the top of the hill.
Located 11 miles north of Jenner at milepost 33, clearly marked with a roadside sign.
Recorded at this site
Depth
8-12m
Visibility
5-10m
Skill Level
Beginner
Entry
Shore
Water Temp
10-12°C
Current
Mild
Typical Dive
45 min
Best Time
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Yes, the site is suitable for beginners, though divers should be prepared for cold water, surge, and potential entanglement in the kelp forest.
The depth ranges from 8 to 12 metres, with an average depth of 10 metres.
This is a shore-entry dive. Divers should exercise caution with surge against the rocky shore when entering and exiting.
While the site is primarily used for diving, snorkelling is possible, though the cold water and surge conditions should be considered.
Primary hazards include cold water, entanglement in kelp, low or variable visibility, and strong currents or surge.
Diving at Fort Ross in Jenner requires the following certifications: Open Water. Always dive within your training limits.
A drysuit recommended is recommended for diving at Fort Ross in Jenner. Water temperatures range from 10°C to 12°C.
The best months to visit Fort Ross in Jenner are June, July, August, September, and October. Conditions outside these months can still be good but are less predictable.
Fort Ross in Jenner typically has mild currents that most divers can handle comfortably.
Visibility at Fort Ross in Jenner typically ranges from 5 metres to 10 metres. Conditions vary with weather, tides, and seasons.