Lake Mead NRA • ~4.5 Hours from Phoenix

Scuba Diving at Lake Mohave, Arizona

Lake Mohave is one of the best freshwater dive destinations in the Southwest, and most Arizona divers don't go nearly enough. About four and a half hours from Phoenix, just past Kingman on the way toward Laughlin, Nevada, it's a full-day commitment and worth every mile. The visibility alone makes the drive worth it.

Book a Lake Mohave Charter Call (480) 881-4013

Cabinsite Cove & What to Expect

The lake sits on the Colorado River inside Lake Mead National Recreation Area and reaches depths of over 100 feet. Nearly all of the diving centers around one location: Cabinsite Cove, a single shore dive with more packed into it than most boat dives.

Drive Time

~4.5 hrs from Phoenix, past Kingman toward Laughlin, NV

Setting

Colorado River, inside Lake Mead NRA (park fee)

Max Depth

100+ ft

Visibility

30–50 ft year-round, best in winter

Cabinsite Cove: Two Sites in One Shore Dive

The cove splits naturally into two areas, and most divers work both in a single outing, plus a dedicated buoyancy park in between.

The South Side

School bus & van, under 60 ft

Beginner-Friendly

Start on the south side and you'll find the school bus and van sitting in relatively shallow water, generally less than 60 feet depending on lake levels. On a clear day you can see them from shore before you even get in. The bus is the main attraction, large enough to swim around and explore, surrounded by fish, and the van adds a second target to the same dive. Comfortable, manageable, and genuinely fun, with enough structure to keep it interesting without pushing anyone out of their depth.

The North Side

Boat wrecks, 60–70 ft

Advanced & Wreck Training

Head to the north side and the terrain changes. Two sunken boat wrecks sit at greater depth, down toward 60 to 70 feet, and the underwater canyon topography gives the dive a different feel entirely. The wrecks are marked by a surface buoy and connected by a line that leads divers between them. The larger of the two allows penetration into the cabin. This is where more experienced divers spend their time, and the structure and depth make it a solid site for wreck specialty training.

The Buoyancy Park

Ring obstacle course

Skills Practice

Between dives or as a standalone objective, the buoyancy park gives divers a dedicated ring obstacle course to practice precision buoyancy control. It's one of the only dedicated buoyancy training structures at any Arizona dive site, and it's useful for brand-new divers and experienced divers working on technique alike. If you're prepping for a specialty course or just want to dial in your trim, this is a good place to do it.

Rainbow Trout Striped Bass Crappie Sunfish Catfish

Visibility at Lake Mohave

This is where Lake Mohave separates itself from every other freshwater dive site in Arizona. Visibility at Cabinsite Cove runs 30 to 50 feet year-round, and in winter months when boat traffic drops off, it can push past 50 feet. Winter is cold above and below the surface, but if you want the clearest water of the year, that's when you go.

Summer brings more boats and more activity on the surface, which can drop visibility toward 15 to 20 feet on a busy weekend. Still better than most lakes, and the wrecks and bus are close enough to the surface that summer diving is absolutely worth doing.

Water Temperature at Lake Mohave

Lake Mohave stays cold year-round at depth, and that's the one thing every diver needs to plan around before making the drive.

Summer Surface

Low 80s°F on top.

At Depth (Year-Round)

Drops into the 50s and stays there regardless of season.

Winter

Surface falls into the 50s. January and February dives sit around 52°F at any depth.

Exposure

7mm with hood and gloves is the year-round minimum. A drysuit is the smart call for winter or multiple dives.

Summer heads-up: air temperatures at Cabinsite Cove regularly push past 110°F in July and August. Get in the water early, stay hydrated, and have dry clothes ready for the drive home.

Who This Dive Site Is For

Cabinsite Cove works for every certification level, and that's unusual for a single shore dive location. Beginners can stay on the south side in shallow water with the bus, the van, and the buoyancy park within easy reach. Advanced divers can push north to the deeper boat wrecks and the canyon terrain. Technical divers have enough depth and structure to make it worth a trip on its own.

For Dive Arizona students, Lake Mohave is where we run wreck diver specialty training and where divers log meaningful dives in real open water conditions. The visibility and structure here do things for a diver's confidence that a lake with 10-foot vis simply can't.

Getting There

Lake Mohave is about four and a half hours one way from Phoenix, just past Kingman heading toward Laughlin, Nevada. The drive is a full-day commitment. We leave early, plan three dives, pack lunch and snacks for the road, and bring a dry set of clothes for the ride home. The lake sits inside Lake Mead National Recreation Area and requires a park fee for entry.

Dive it with us: we head out to Lake Mohave several times a year. Call (480) 881-4013 to find out when our next trip is scheduled.

Make the Trip to Lake Mohave

Clear water, real wrecks, and a full day of diving with the Dive Arizona crew. Book a charter or call us to get on the list for the next trip.

Book a Lake Mohave Charter Call (480) 881-4013

Lake Mohave Scuba Diving FAQ

What can you see scuba diving at Lake Mohave?

Cabinsite Cove has a sunken school bus, a van, two boat wrecks, and a dedicated buoyancy park. Fish including rainbow trout, striped bass, crappie, sunfish, and catfish are common throughout the cove.

How is the visibility at Lake Mohave?

Visibility at Cabinsite Cove runs 30 to 50 feet year-round, with winter offering the best conditions. Summer boat traffic can reduce visibility to 15 to 20 feet on busy weekends, but it remains among the clearest freshwater diving in Arizona in any season.

How cold is the water at Lake Mohave?

Water temperature at depth stays in the 50s to low 60s Fahrenheit year-round. Surface temps reach the low 80s in summer but drop to the 50s in winter. A 7mm wetsuit with hood and gloves is the minimum recommendation. A drysuit is strongly recommended for winter dives.

Is Lake Mohave good for beginner scuba divers?

Yes. The south side of Cabinsite Cove is shallow, well structured, and beginner friendly. The school bus and van sit in less than 60 feet of water and are visible from the surface on clear days. The buoyancy park adds a practical training objective for newer divers.

How far is Lake Mohave from Phoenix?

Cabinsite Cove is approximately four and a half hours from Phoenix, just past Kingman on the way to Laughlin, Nevada. Plan for a full day and an early start.

Is there a fee to dive at Lake Mohave?

Yes. Cabinsite Cove sits inside Lake Mead National Recreation Area, which charges a park entry fee. Check nps.gov/lake for current fee information before your trip.