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Missile Tower

Depth: 160' - 165'

Overview

It looks a little bit like a miniature castle: it's about 60' high and 25' square on the sides, with a catwalk circling the perimeter. It rests on its side and, like many of the deeper dive sites around here, is covered in Metridium anemones. In the center is a large tube about 10' in diameter. Description from Ashley Armstrong. For more spectacular pictures follow this link: https://www.ashunderwater.com/blog/dive-missile-tower-wreck-san-diego/

What to See

Metridium anemones blanketing the structure, the catwalk around the perimeter, and the 10' tube through the center.

Typical Conditions

Technical dive (Advanced Nitrox/Deco or equivalent). Cold, variable visibility, possible current.

History

Former U.S. Navy floating platform for Trident submarine missile test-launches. Placed as part of the California Department of Fish and Game Artificial Reef Program. YEAR - now better evidenced toward 1992: the actual CDFG/CDFW official reef record ('A Guide to the Artificial Reefs of Southern California,' nrm.dfg.ca.gov) lists this specific reef complex as '1992 - present,' built from '25,000 tons quarry rock, concrete and steel missile tower, 300 tons concrete rubble,' and notes it was 'still under construction' as of that document - meaning the tower may have been placed at one point in an ongoing, multi-year build-out, which could explain why some sources say 1992 and others 1993. wreckedinmyrevo.com and California Diving News both independently say 1992; ashunderwater.com says 1993. Our OWN live marissacharters.com site currently says 1993 - worth a look given the primary CDFG record favors 1992. Not fully closed (the CDFG record doesn't pin an exact month/day for the tower specifically), but the weight of evidence has shifted toward 1992. GPS per the same CDFG document: 32°32'29.7"N, 117°14'47.4"W (confirmed, matches our existing note).

Photographed here

The Missile Tower lying on its side in 165 feet of water, one leg carpeted in Metridium anemones, the descent line beside it
The Missile Tower lying on its side in 165 feet of water, one leg carpeted in Metridium anemones, the descent line beside it · Photo: Mike Wynd
Two technical divers approach the Missile Tower down the line
Two technical divers approach the Missile Tower down the line · Photo: Mike Wynd
A school of baitfish fills the water over the Missile Tower, a diver's light inside it
A school of baitfish fills the water over the Missile Tower, a diver's light inside it · Photo: Mike Wynd
The catwalk and lattice of the Missile Tower, encrusted after thirty years on the bottom
The catwalk and lattice of the Missile Tower, encrusted after thirty years on the bottom · Photo: Mike Wynd
Metridium anemones blanket the Missile Tower's framework, with baitfish around it
Metridium anemones blanket the Missile Tower's framework, with baitfish around it · Photo: Mike Wynd
Inside the Missile Tower's central tube, about ten feet across, a diver's light at the far end
Inside the Missile Tower's central tube, about ten feet across, a diver's light at the far end · Photo: Mike Wynd
Technical divers on the anemone-covered corner of the Missile Tower
Technical divers on the anemone-covered corner of the Missile Tower · Photo: Mike Wynd
A diver crosses above a Metridium-covered leg of the Missile Tower
A diver crosses above a Metridium-covered leg of the Missile Tower · Photo: Mike Wynd
A diver silhouetted above the Missile Tower's anemone-covered top
A diver silhouetted above the Missile Tower's anemone-covered top · Photo: Mike Wynd

What our divers have photographed at Missile Tower

2 species and features identified in our own photographs from this site. A record of what has been here, not a promise of what will be: sightings change with season, visibility and luck.

Photographed by Mike Wynd, July 2025

Metridium anemones · Schooling baitfish