S S Avalon Wreck - California

The SS Avalon, a former passenger steamship, now rests off the California coast, offering a solid wreck dive. It’s a good spot for those who appreciate history beneath the waves. The wreck itself has become an artificial reef, attracting a mix of rockfish, cabezon, and sometimes even a lurking giant sea bass. We’ve found the best way to explore its structure is to take your time, letting your eyes adjust to the ambient light filtering through the decks. It’s not the most dramatic wreck out there, but its historical context and the marine life it supports make it a worthwhile dive for wreck enthusiasts. We’d suggest checking local conditions, as visibility can vary quite a bit here.

Location: California, United States, North America
Coordinates: 33.788550, -118.428030
Type: wreck

Marine Protected Area: Palos Verdes Shoreline

Best Time to Dive in California

The warmest water temperatures in California occur in August, averaging 20.6°C (up to 24.0°C). The coolest conditions are in February at 14.0°C.

The calmest sea conditions are typically in July with average wave heights of 0.60m.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 14.4°C (air: 14.0°C)
February: 14.0°C (air: 13.8°C)
March: 14.2°C (air: 13.3°C)
April: 14.9°C (air: 14.3°C)
May: 16.6°C (air: 15.4°C)
June: 18.9°C (air: 17.4°C)
July: 20.4°C (air: 18.9°C)
August: 20.6°C (air: 19.6°C)
September: 20.4°C (air: 19.7°C)
October: 18.8°C (air: 18.4°C)
November: 16.3°C (air: 16.0°C)
December: 15.6°C (air: 14.3°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in California

Nearest Dive Centres to S S Avalon Wreck

Marine Life in California

Home to 10 recorded species including 8 reef fish, 1 other, 1 octopus & squid.

Notable Species

Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp (Branchinecta lynchi)
Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) - Reef Fish
Western Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) - Reef Fish
Sea Trout (Salmo trutta) - Reef Fish
Little post horn squid (Spirula spirula) - Octopus & Squid
Prickly sculpin (Cottus asper) - Reef Fish
cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) - Reef Fish
Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) - Reef Fish
brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) - Reef Fish
Ribbonfish (Lepidopus caudatus) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for S S Avalon Wreck

Based on average water temperature of 17.1°C.

Wetsuit (5-7mm) - recommended for 17°C water
Hood & Gloves (3-5mm) - helps retain warmth
Mask - essential for every dive
Fins
BCD - buoyancy compensator
Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories