RUBICON WALL

One of the definitive dives of Lake Tahoe is Rubicon Wall on the west side of the lake, north of Emerald Bay.  This site is accessible by boat only and has to be considered mandatory for anyone who loves this sport!  This is an intermediate-advanced dive which requires advanced buoyancy skills and altitude diving certification (which is available at Hudson’s for a nominal charge).

When you approach the dive site by boat you first notice the deep blue waters that go right up to the steeply faced shore.  Rubicon Wall begins about 100-200ft above you and doesn’t stop until it’s 800ft beneath the boat.  Quite the wall!  The dive boat will drop you off towards the side of the wall in approximately 20ft of water allowing you to swim around to the actually drop off.  As you come around the wall, notice the channels in the rock face where ancient waterfalls used to flow.  There are also a number of submerged trees clinging to the face inhabited by numerous fish and cranky crawdads. Make sure you watch your depth on this dive as the crystal clear waters are very deceiving!

For advanced divers only:  When you have a chance, turn, swim a bit away from the wall, and just look out into the most incredibly blue waters you have ever seen. 

If you do this dive with Dive Ventures, be sure to ask about ‘The Biggest Mystery of Tahoe’; the bolt.  A hidden, unexplainable phenomenon at 60ft The Bolt continues to confound those who see it.

Rubicon Wall and Lake Tahoe in general is a great dive site seldom experience by divers in this region, even though it’s right in your own backyard!  Lake Tahoe has a number of superior dives all over the lake and the typical dive charter will visit at least 2 or 3 different locations.  Check our calendar for more information!