SS Monte Carlo Shipwreck
- Admission
- Free
- Hours
- Accessible 24/7 (only visible during extreme low tides)
- Duration
- 30-45 minutes
- Parking
- Street parking along Avenida del Sol or Coronado beach parking lots
- Access
- Not wheelchair accessible; requires walking across soft sand and wet beach terrain
This 300-foot concrete ship was once a glamorous Prohibition-era floating casino before running aground during a 1937 storm. Today, its ghostly, barnacle-encrusted wreckage is buried in the sand, revealing itself only to beachgoers during extremely low tides. It remains one of Southern California's most intriguing coastal mysteries.
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The SS Monte Carlo was a concrete-hulled ship launched in 1921 that later became a notorious floating casino and bordello anchored in international waters off Coronado. During a violent storm on New Year's Day in 1937, the ship broke its moorings and drifted onto the beach, where it quickly filled with sand and was abandoned.
Today, the remains of the ship are mostly buried beneath the sand, making them a hidden marvel of the San Diego coastline. The wreckage is only occasionally exposed during extremely low tides, particularly after heavy winter storms strip away the beach's sandy blanket.
Catching a glimpse of this "sin ship" offers a rare, fleeting connection to Prohibition-era history. When the tide is right, visitors can see the haunting outline of the concrete hull emerging from the surf just south of the Hotel del Coronado.
Ratings
attractionVisitor Tips
- ◆ Check the local tide tables and plan your visit during a negative low tide for the best chance of viewing.
- ◆ Visit during the winter months when seasonal storms are more likely to wash away the sand covering the wreck.
- ◆ Look for the shipwreck just south of the Hotel del Coronado, directly in front of the Coronado Shores condominiums.
Heads Up
- ◆ The wreckage is sharp, rusted, and covered in barnacles; do not attempt to climb on or walk across the structure.
- ◆ Be mindful of strong surf and rip currents when wading near the remains.
- ◆ The wreck is often completely buried by sand, meaning visibility is never guaranteed.
Common questions
When is the SS Monte Carlo shipwreck visible?
The shipwreck is only visible during extremely low tides, typically negative tides, or after strong winter storms strip the sand away. Most of the year, it remains completely buried and unseen.
Where is the best place to park to see the SS Monte Carlo?
The closest parking is along Avenida del Sol or in the residential areas near the Coronado Shores condominiums. From there, it is a short walk south down the beach to reach the site of the wreck.
Can you swim out to or climb on the SS Monte Carlo wreck?
Climbing or swimming onto the wreck is highly discouraged and dangerous due to rusted exposed metal, sharp barnacles, and strong surf. It is safest to view the remains from the beach during low tide.