Lake Tahoe

Sand Harbor is located at Sand Harbor State Park, 5 miles south of Incline Village, Nevada, on Highway 28. Sand Harbor has an elevation of 6,230 feet and is the most popular dive site in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. In 1958, Sand Harbor was named as the first state park on the Nevada shore of Lake Tahoe. It was named after the sandy beaches located in the area. This is a popular dive site for open-water classes held by many local dive stores. Be sure to pay the $4.00/$8.00 entrance fee, as violators are issued a $90 citation by park rangers.
Expect large crowds especially on the weekends during summer months.

Diver's Cove, as it is appropriately named, is located 50 yards to the right of the parking lot. The Sand Harbor area has many picnic tables, plenty of parking during the summer months, and clean restrooms. There are two public telephones at this site, one at the south end of the beach and the other located at the boat launching facility. In case of emergency, a telephone located inside the ranger's office at the entrance can be used.

The bottom depth averages 30 feet. Those interested in more of a challenge will have to swim 300 feet beyond the swim marker buoys. There is a challenging slope ranging from 40 to hundreds of feet deep. This slope offers vertical cliffs, large sunken trees, and numerous rocks. Boats frequent the area beyond the marker buoys, often traveling at high speeds. Use caution when surfacing in this area. Also keep in mind, that Nevada State Law REQUIRES divers to tow a dive flag.

Directions:

See description

Dangers:

Diving at altitude of 6229' above sea level. Altitude procedures required.