Shields Rock
Why dive here
With 58+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, blue whales, humpback whales, orcas and seals & sea lions - Shields Rock offers some of Alaska's richest diving. Water ranges 5-15°C, warmest July, August, September.
Shields Rock, tucked away in Alaskan waters, offers a real taste of temperate diving. We've found the rock walls here provide plenty of nooks and crannies to explore, often dotted with green sea urchins and those impressive giant kelp stalks. Keep an eye out for movement; red rock crabs and Dungeness crabs are common residents, and depending on the season, you might catch glimpses of various salmon species, from pink to coho, navigating their journey. It’s a solid dive for those who appreciate the robust, often overlooked beauty of a cooler water ecosystem and enjoy a slow, observant pace rather than high-speed action.
Safety Notes
Cold water this month (avg 11°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.
Reviews for Shields Rock
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Shields Rock
Shields Rock Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Shields Rock, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (57, -135.4) (0km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
11°C
51°F · Range: 8.5–12.8°C
Air Temperature
8°C
47°F
Wind Speed
6.44 m/s
12.5 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1007.9 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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