Dive Carnelian Bay

Carnelian West Beach & Patton/Waterman’s Landing

So named because of the lovely red rocks found along the shoreline, Carnelian Bay is a great place for beginners. Not only does it stay shallow for quite a ways here, making difficult to get into too much trouble, there’s also a bunch of cool stuff scattered throughout the bay to look at. You’ll find old barges, engine blocks, disintegrating fishing boats, enormous logs, and other semi-historic bits spaced healthily out across the very, very gradually sloping bottom.

Carnelian West Beach is a public beach with facilities open year round (albeit just porta-potties in the off season), so it does get quite crowded during the warmer months. Patton/Waterman’s Landing is another option about a 1/4 mile away and essentially the same diving.

Fast facts

  • Access: Both locations are close to the lake with ideal spots being about 60 feet from car to water, open year round
  • Surface swim: Minimal for cruising around the shallows
  • Parking: Free
  • Crowds: Low in winter to very high in summer
  • Dive experience level: Beginner
  • Highlights: Sunken barges and the like in the shallows
Carnelian Bay
34°
Clear
7:01 am4:38 pm PST
Feels like: 34°F
Wind: 1mph SSE
Humidity: 58%
Pressure: 30.29"Hg
UV index: 0
WedThuFri
50°F / 23°F
50°F / 23°F
48°F / 28°F

Carnelian Bay depth

NOAA depth chart for Carnelian Bay

Depth in feet

Source: NOAA Chart 18665 (1975) (2016 – depth in meters)

Carnelian West Beach

Patton/Waterman’s Landing