G. Mission Bay

Mission Bay Channel North Jetty

South Mission Jetty

RestrictedTake allowed, but with a spot-specific limit (pier buffer, city code, closure, anchoring ban)

EntryShore
PinVerified
Sources4 · high

Legal note: City code bans swimming and diving in the Mission Bay ocean channel and "on or from breakwaters." Divers report diving here anyway. Confirm with Mission Bay Lifeguards before you go.

Rules last verified Nov 12, 2026 · Full rules ›

Watch cam Directions

Getting in

Location: 32.75970, -117.25388. At the south end of Mission Blvd. (D11)
How to find it: South end of Mission Blvd; bay-side lot is the easier entry
Entry and exit: Turn left for the bay-side lot (the easier entry, with no rock climbing) or right for the ocean-side lot.

You can carry gear down in stages.

Exit up the rock slope; usually you only need to take your fins off.

(D11)
Parking and facilities: Mission Point Park, 2600 Bayside Ln, has free parking, showers and restrooms; the gates close at 10 p.m. (D42)
Access: shore

The dive

Depth: generally under 20 ft (D11)
Terrain: boulders down to a rock/sand line, where most of the life is. Sand dollar beds lie nearby. (D11)
Skill: easy shore entry, beginner-friendly (D10); the difficulty is mostly the boulders and the entry/exit (D11)
Best conditions: Dive about 2 hours before high tide for the cleanest water.

Swim out against the incoming tide, then drift back.

Stay within a few feet of the rock/sand line.

(D11)
Visibility: often poor, but sheltered enough that it's still a good dive (D11)

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

lobster are present, and people night-dive the jetties for them (D11, D69)

Hazards

boat traffic in the channel — stay close to the rocks
currents at tide changes
waves on the outer rocks
spearfishers, fishing line, and anglers casting

(D11, D13)

Rules here

Restricted

City code bans swimming and diving in the Mission Bay ocean channel and "on or from breakwaters." Divers report diving here anyway. Confirm with Mission Bay Lifeguards before you go.

Zones

No entryMission Bay ocean channel & breakwaters

Full rules ›

Legal sources

Cameras

Pacific View Inn cambest for this spot
surface · points at beach just west of Mission Bay · run by Pacific View Inn
link (opens in a new tab)opens in a new tab
Surfline – Mission Beach (Mission Beach and Mission Beach South)
surface · points at Mission Beach · run by Surfline
link (opens in a new tab)opens in a new tab

Sources & last verified

Profile confidence: high — D10, D11, D13, D42
Coordinates: 32.7597, -117.25388 (approx (surf-spot coordinate at the jetty))
Rules last verified: Nov 12, 2026 (laws.md)

Spot profile

Location

S6 mondo.surf spot guides (opens in a new tab)
S22 Divebums – Wreck Alley + Mission Bay jetties (opens in a new tab)
S26 Ocean Enterprises – 2025/26 Lobster Season Guide (opens in a new tab)
S27 360cities – Mission Beach Channel (opens in a new tab)
S70 Franko Maps – San Diego County Coast Dive Guide (laminated map; photo provided by Trevor, 2026-10-20; appears to predate the 2012 MPAs)

Report something wrong

Not legal advice · Check CDFW ›