While most of Humboldt Bay itself is too shallow and muddy for diving, there are some interesting dives to be had around the north and south jetties surrounding the mouth of the bay. The North Jetty is accessible via the Samoa Bridge, crossing the bay and then turning south on Highway 255. The best dive sites are near the Humboldt Bay Coast Guard Search and Rescue station at the jetty's tip, but planning your dive around the tides is important. The area is popular with surfers. You'll see why. The Samoa Public Access has a boat ramp facing the bay and there is some parking both there and in the Samoa Dunes Recreation Area, also at the jetty's tip.
South of Eureka, but in the general area, in the seashore community of Shelter Cove. Taking the Briceland-Thorne Road from Redway to the seashore, you find Shelter Cove, a privately owned inholding in the King Range National Recreation Area. Access to Shelter Cove itself is at the end of Machi Road, where there is a boat launch and small beach. There is some parking as well as restrooms on the bluff. At Point Delgada there are stairs down to the rocky tidepools. And Little Black Sand Beach is available off Dolphin Drive. Throughout the Shelter Cove area diving is highly dependent on calm seas and good visibility.
The confluence of many rivers in the Eureka/Arcata area, including the Eel, Mad, Elk, and Mattole, keep sediments in the water due to runoff high. Most Eureka area divers move south or north of the immediate bay area for the best diving. The best things Eureka and Arcata have to offer are after-diving hotels, restaurants, night spots and movie theatres.
Fort Bragg offers a range of hotels and restaurants, and even a tiny movie theatre, for after-diving entertainment. The area also includes a number of public and private campgrounds, many near the seashore. The village of Mendocino offers dozens of antique shops amidst bed-and-breakfast inns for the camping-challenged. If you want to stay in Mendocino, though, have a reservation!
MACKERRICHER STATE PARK - A six mile long sandy beach just north of Fort Bragg, MacKerricher has a 143-site campground and an offshore underwater park for divers. There is beach access just off Highway 1 at Pudding Creek, Ward Avenue, Mill Creek Drive, and the main entrance to the park. Campground info: (707)937-5804.
CASPAR BAY - With both beach or rock entry, Caspar, just south of Fort Bragg, offers a more protected area and some parking. The exit from Highway 1 to Caspar is clearly marked. There are no fees at the public beach (Caspar State Beach). A better entry is on the rocky south side of the bay, at the Caspar Headlands State Reserve, which is a small five-acre area amongst private homes accessible on Headlands Drive, off South Caspar Drive. A use pass may be required (at no charge) from the State Parks District Office (707)937-5804. There is no public camping, but the private Caspar Beach R.V. Campground, 45201 Point Cabrillo Drive, has tent sites. Call (707)937-5804 for state park & beach information.
RUSSIAN GULCH STATE BEACH - South of Fort Bragg but just north of Mendocino, take the exit from Highway 1 into Russian Gulch State Park (clearly marked.) A beach entry is available, very protected by the gulch, and there is good parking. The view of Highway 1, spanning the gulch on an arching bridge high above you, is interesting (see the picture on this page). The offshore area is considered a diving park. An outdoor shower is located at the beach. A rocky entry is available out at the point, also accessible by road, but the water is rougher. There are fees for entry. Thirty campsites are available, and reservations can be made by calling 1-800-444-7275.
JACK PETERS GULCH - Available through mostly private land, Jack Peters offers a rocky entry, and is less protected than other sites. Take road 500D west from Highway 1 until you can see the gulch or see the line of parked cars belonging to abalone divers (in season, of course.) There is no parking except along the road, and a stiff hike to the entry.
VAN DAMME STATE BEACH - South of Mendocino, Van Damme is a wide beach, very well protected, and is often the site of choice when everyplace else is too rough (although the visibility can be poor at those times). There is good parking and easy entry from Highway 1 (directly into the parking lot.) Entry to the beach is free. An outdoor shower is located at the beach. The offshore area is an underwater park for divers. Expect a lot of abalone divers here when it's the season. The State Park's seventy-four campsites are on the other side of Highway 1 in the park. Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-444-7275.
ALBION FLAT - A private boat harbor and campground, Albion Flat is located just north of the town of Albion at the end of Albion River Road. (See picture at the bottom of this page.) There is beach access, but limited shore diving, with much more variety if you have access to a boat. Day use fees are charged. For camping info, contact Albion River Campground, P.O. Box 217, Albion, CA 95410; (707)937-0606. Nearby is Schooner's Landing, with R.V. camping, a boat dock, and picnic area. For info contact Schooner's Landing, P.O. Box 218, Albion, CA, 95410; (707)937-5707.
The entire Fort Bragg/Mendocino coast area is very popular with Abalone divers, so dive sites can be crowded during abalone season. At least one dive boat was available at the time this is being written (whenever it has a Captain) in Fort Bragg, leaving from Noyo Harbor.
CRESCENT CITY, about an hour and a half north of Eureka (depending on how fast you drive, I suppose), has a greater variety of dive sites and occasionally clearer water. The southern jetty enclosing Crescent City harbor, also known as Whaler Island, offers some diving on clear water days. The north spit, which passes the Crescent City Lighthouse, offers a few dive sites as well, but is less protected. Enderts Beach, accessible from Highway 101 at the end of Enderts Beach Road just south of Crescent City, offers an expanse of tidepools at low tide.
Crescent City's Citizens' Dock was built in 1950 and rebuilt in 1987. There are seafood restaurants, diving and marine supplies, and boat rentals (details coming soon.) There are campsites available at Shoreline Campgrounds. For more info call (707)464-2473.
Most of downtown Crescent City was destroyed in 1964 when a Tsunami, caused by an earthquake in Anchorage, Alaska, sent twelve foot waves as far as 1600 feet inland. The town has been rebuilt in the intervening 33 years, of course, but there are still plenty of stories about the disaster on display in local tourist areas.
This webpage is a non-profit site offered for the enlightenment of divers enjoying the waters of the North Coast. No guarantee to the accuracy of the information may be inferred, and all dive sites should be carefully evaluated and should only be dived by a certified diver with the appropriate skill level. Verify information before making travel plans, as things change frequently and this site will be updated only intermittantly. We hope the information contained helps you plan a safe and enjoyable dive!
Albion Cove
Maps courtesy DeLorme Map Company. Visit the Delorme CYBERATLAS Website!
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