G. Mission Bay
Bonita Cove
LegalLobster take allowed under the general rules; no spot-specific limit found Approximate area — exact entry not verified
- EntryShore
- PinApproximate
- Sources2 · low
Legal note: Inside Mission Bay Park. No swimming or diving where you could block boats, or in marked jet-ski or water-ski areas.
Rules last verified Nov 12, 2026 · Full rules ›
Approximate location — check the spot on satellite before you go.
Getting in
- Location
32.76700, -117.24850 (approximate, not verified in person). 1100 West Mission Bay Dr, on the west side of the bay near South Mission Beach. (D41)
- How to find it
West side of Mission Bay (Mariners Basin area); to 20 ft; common beginner check-out dive
- Entry and exit
beach entry from the park (D41)
- Parking and facilities
- Free lot on the left after crossing the West Mission Bay Dr bridge; closes at 10 p.m.
- Park hours 4 a.m.–10 p.m.
- Restrooms on the east side and a rinse-off shower.
- Lifeguard on duty (hours not listed; lifeguards are seasonal in Mission Bay).
(D41, D43)
The dive
- Skill
beginner; a common check-out dive site (D47)
- Best conditions
no source found; for Mission Bay, dive on an incoming tide (D11)
Parts of this aren't known yet — help us fill them in.
- Visibility
generally poor in Mission Bay (D45)
Not known yet: terrain — help us fill this in.
Notes for every spot in Mission Bay
The jetties are protected from most surf, so they can still be a good dive when visibility elsewhere is poor. (D11) Waterhorse calls Mission Bay the best place in San Diego for night diving and lobster from shore. (D45) Check laws.md first: city code limits swimming and diving in the channel and on the breakwaters.
Lobster
"surprisingly good lobster hunting" (D47, old)
Hazards
boat traffic and ski zones in the bay (see laws.md)
Rules here
Legal
Inside Mission Bay Park. No swimming or diving where you could block boats, or in marked jet-ski or water-ski areas.
Full rules ›
Legal sources
Cameras
Bahia Resort cambest for this spot
surface · points at Mission Bay (Bahia is on West Mission Bay Dr, the same road as Bonita Cove; view unconfirmed) · run by Bahia Resort
Catamaran Resort cam
surface · points at Mission Bay and Mission Beach · run by Catamaran Resort
Sources & last verified
- Coordinates
- 32.767, -117.2485 (approx (desk estimate 2026-10-22, not verified))
Approximate location — not verified: the pin is an estimate; check it on site.
- Rules last verified
- Nov 12, 2026 (laws.md)
Spot profile
Location
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