Jade Cove
Jade Cove is at the southernmost end of Big Sur just north of the town of Gorda. It's across the street from Plaskett Creek Camp Grounds and just south of Shell Beach. As the name implies, the Cove (or rather several adjacent coves) are small, rugged outcrops of raw jade stone. There are pinnacles, arches and fascinating rock formations and the relative lack of sand keeps the water clarity pretty high here. Of course, owing to the difficulty with which anyone will have trying to get there, it's rarely visited except by locals. Divers who want to bring a souvenir home or even mine for carving stone are allowed to collect jade specimens from below the water line but keep in mind that scavenging a piece from dry park land is illegal.
| Coordinates | 35.917936, -121.472882 |
| Depth | 40 feet |
| Skill Level | Advanced |
| Access Method | Shore |
| Protection Status | Spear fishing is permitted |
Contents
Access
Amenities
Restrooms and showers are available for registered campers at Plaskett Creek campgrounds. An outhouse is located at the Sand Dollar Beach Day Use parking lot nearby.
Attractions & Wildlife
Come for the incredible mineral formations, stay for the abundance of fish and healthy bull kelp.
Entry & Access
There's no easy way to get in the water here but there are two approaches.
1. Enter the water on the south end of Sand Dollar Beach and go out and around the point into the Cove. This is a longer surface swim that can contain some tricky rips but it eliminates the need for rock climbing with gear. Instead you'll take a long set of stairs with your gear which might feel just as inconvenient.
2. Hike in to the point from the trail head that starts at the highway and follow the informal trails through the brambles to a climbable face and drop in. Just make sure you have a plan on getting out!
Skill Level & Hazards
If something goes wrong, you are on your own down here. Medical services are a long ways away. The cliffs are steep, the entry extreme and the waters are rarely calm. Even after getting into the water, getting out is often even more difficult. This is a site for experienced divers who know their limits.
Nearest Emergency Medical Facilities
Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center 1010 Murray Ave, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
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