Santa Cruz today: waves, weather and sun
- Best time tomorrow 2:20–4:20 pm average day · 5/10
- Beach tomorrow 7:00–10:00 am Poor beach day · 4/10
- Waves · water 4.7 ft · 88 °F moderate · 9.7 s from the south-southwest
- Wind · air 2 mph · 75 °F from the E, gusts 5 · drizzle
- Surf tomorrow 3.4–5.2 ft Fair day · 5/10 · 6:00–10:00 am
- Sun 6:04 am–5:28 pm 11 h 24 min of daylight
- Moon 91% · 7:41 pm waning gibbous · rises at 7:41 pm
- Diving tomorrow 8:30–11:30 am good day · 7/10
- Tropical Depression Vance (winds of 35 mph), 170 mi to the west. Approaching (moving north-northeast at 13 mph). The forecast takes its center within about 130 mi of here tomorrow. NHC (NOAA) advisory, today at 8:00 pm.
Summary based on data from the NHC (NOAA). The official warning is the one from your country’s weather or emergency service.
Today, Wednesday, October 28, in Santa Cruz the sun rises at 6:04 am and sets at 5:28 pm: 11 h 24 min of daylight. The moon is 91% illuminated (waning gibbous) and rises at 7:41 pm. Major solunar periods run from 12:43 am to 2:43 am and from 1:14 pm to 3:14 pm. The next spring tides arrive from October 26 to 28. The sea is moderate, with 4.7 ft waves. There's a light air from the east (2 mph). Drizzle, 75 °F.
Fishing in Santa Cruz today
Best time to fish
Solunar activity today: medium- Major period 1:14–3:14 pm
- Steady pressure (29.85 inHg), almost no wind and some swell (3.9 ft waves) to stir the water
- Waning gibbous: a bit more activity than at the quarters
Your day at a glance
The best window, 1:10 pm to 3:10 pm, combines a major period and some swell. Also good from 12:40 am to 2:40 am, with a major period and some swell. Also good from 5:40 am to 6:30 am, with sunrise and some swell.
Species with the most records nearby: blacktip shark, striped mullet, mahi-mahi and sailfish. What you can catch
We don't show the tide for Santa Cruz, so it doesn't count in the rating. How it works · Next 7 days · Fishing rules
Beach day in Santa Cruz
Is it a beach day?
- Feels like 90 °F: beach weather
- Offshore breeze (6 mph)
- UV 4 (moderate): SPF 30 sunscreen
- Water at 88 °F (very warm)
- Cloudy (100% cloud cover)
- Rain (0.47 in)
Today, hour by hour
- Swimming Use care · 4.2 ft
4.2 ft waves every 10 s: swim with care and stay where you can stand. High rip current risk. If you're caught in a rip current, don't swim against it: swim parallel to shore and wave for help. Always follow the lifeguard's flags.
- Water 88 °F
Very warm: barely refreshing.
- Sun & sunscreen UV 4 · SPF 30
Max UV 4 (moderate): SPF 30 sunscreen, reapplied every 2 hours.
- Wind 6 mph
Offshore breeze (6 mph).
- Tide & sand
We don't show the tide for Santa Cruz, so it doesn't count in the rating.
We don't have data on jellyfish, sargassum or beach closures: ask the lifeguard or check with the local beach authority. How it works · The next 7 days
Beaches near Santa Cruz
We don't know of any named beaches within 6.2 mi of Santa Cruz.
Missing one? Beaches come from OpenStreetMap: you can add it there. Add or fix on OpenStreetMap
Beaches and amenities: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Webcams near Santa Cruz
Webcams provided by windy.com — add a webcam
Tides in Santa Cruz
Tides in Santa Cruz: not available yet
There is no tide station near Santa Cruz, and we can't rely on the global tide model on this coast: for now we don't show its tide.
Meanwhile, see the tide in Las Labores · 5.6 mi
The sun, moon, solunar periods and spring tides on this page do apply to this place.
The sea at Santa Cruz
Sea stateSea state: moderate
The waves you may find
- Most commonMost common2.4 ft
- Significant4.7 ft
- Highest expectedHighest9.4 ft
One wave in seven is higher than the significant height, and about 3 times a day one reaches 9.4 ft. Before heading out, expect waves of up to 9.4 ft.
Wind on the coast and offshore
Offshore wind. The coast faces west and the wind blows from land out to sea: calm shore and clean waves, but watch the drift out to sea.
Wave height, next 7 daysWaves, next 7 days
Waves build over the next few days. The biggest waves arrive on Thursday 29: 6.4 ft with a period of 8 s, from the south-southwest (moderate).
Water temperature
Water temperature →Water temperature changes how fish behave: in very cold or very warm water they feed less. The water is steady these days, with no sudden changes.
Water warmer than normal for late October (+2.9 °F).
Satellite: NASA MUR (JPL MUR MEaSUREs, PO.DAAC), doi:10.5067/GHGMR-4FJ04. Sources and licenses
Water temperature →Forecast from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) with models from ECMWF, NOAA, Météo-France, DWD, Copernicus Marine and CAMS. Updated at 10:41 pm (local time).
Surf in Santa Cruz today
Surf today
Fair- 2.3–3.5 ft surf at the shore, a fun size for most surfers
- 3.3 ft swell at 7 s from the south-southwest, short: weak, messy waves
- Almost no wind (4 mph): glassy water
- Light: First light 5:41 am · sunrise 6:04 am · sunset 5:28 pm · last light 5:51 pm
- Tide: We don’t have a reliable tide to show here.
- Water at 87.8 °F: boardshorts or a swimsuit and a rash guard.
- Energy: 97 kJ · Low power
Today’s surf at a glance
The best window, 2:00 pm to 5:51 pm, has a good size and glassy water, though with a short-period swell.
An estimate for this stretch of coast, not for a specific break: every beach or reef works its own way (its tide, bottom and angle). Check it when you get there.
Follow the flags and the lifeguards, and don’t paddle out if the surf is above your level: this score is a guide, not a substitute for what you see when you get there.
Diving in Santa Cruz today
Diving and snorkeling today
Likely visibility: fair- 3.0 ft swell at 7 s from the south: some surge on the bottom
- Almost no wind
- 0.3 mph current toward the southwest, weak (model)
- Sun high: more light underwater
- Slack water today: none; the tide doesn't count here
- Likely visibility: fair. Swell (up to 3.2 ft at 8 s) and rain (1.16 in) over the last few days have stirred up the water. Based on the last 24 hours of data.
- Water at 87.8 °F: a shorty or a rash guard.
- Snorkeling: better not, with these waves, wind or current.
- Night dive: dark from 5:51 pm. Waning gibbous (91%), rising at 7:41 pm: a bright night.
Your diving day at a glance
The best window, 8:30 am to 11:30 am, combines light wind, weak current and the sun high. Also worth a look from 3:50 pm to 5:30 pm, with light wind and weak current, though with some swell.
We don't have a reliable tide for Santa Cruz, so slack water doesn't count in the rating.
Never dive alone and check with the local dive shop: this rating is a guide, not a substitute for a professional.
Dive sites, wrecks and dive shops nearby
We have no dive sites, dive shops or wrecks on record within 12 mi of Santa Cruz.
If you know one, you can add it to OpenStreetMap and it will show up here after the next update. Missing one? Add it to OpenStreetMap
Sites: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Weather in Santa Cruz
Now in Santa Cruz
- Low / high
- 75 / 79 °F
- Rain
- 1.03 in · 100%
- Clouds
- 100%
- Humidity
- 93%
- Dew pointDew point
- 73 °F
- Visibility
- 15 mi
- UV indexUV
- 0 · low
- Air qualityAir
- Fair · 26
- Saharan dust
- No
Pressure and fishing
- ↗ RisingRising Anglers say fish bite less for a while
- → SteadySteady · now Anglers expect normal activity
- ↘ FallingFalling Anglers say fish feed more before the change
Steady now (+0.01 inHg in 3 hours). Over the next 48 hours: +0.03 inHg. Steady pressure: anglers expect normal activity. Fast changes, either way, tend to affect fishing.
Today, hour by hourHour by hour
Bars: mean wind. Dashed line: gusts. Arrows point where the wind blows to.
| Time | 12:00 am | 3:00 am | 6:00 am | 9:00 am | 12:00 pm | 3:00 pm | 6:00 pm | 9:00 pm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sky | Drizzle | Light showers | Light showers | Showers | Drizzle | Light drizzle | Light drizzle | Drizzle |
| Temperature | 76° | 76° | 78° | 77° | 78° | 78° | 76° | 75° |
| Wind (mph) | 4 E | 2 ESE | 2 SSW | 3 SSW | 2 ENE | 4 NNE | 7 NNE | 4 ENE |
| Gusts | 7 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 14 | 8 |
| Waves | 4.2 ft | 3.9 ft | 3.6 ft | 3.6 ft | 3.7 ft | 4.1 ft | 4.4 ft | 4.6 ft |
| Rain | 0.03 in | 0.07 in | 0.07 in | 0.10 in | 0.03 in | 0.01 in | 0.02 in | 0.03 in |
- 12:00 am 75° 3 ESE 4.9 ft
- 3:00 am 74° 6 ESE 5.4 ft
- 6:00 am 75° 5 E 6.3 ft
- 9:00 am 81° 3 E 6.2 ft
- 12:00 pm 88° 8 SSW 5.8 ft
- 3:00 pm 85° 8 SSW 5.6 ft
- 6:00 pm 79° 3 N 5.1 ft
- 9:00 pm 74° 3 ESE 4.5 ft
Next 14 daysComing days
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Max wind | Max wave |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today · 28 | 75 / 79 °F | 8 mph ENE | 4.7 ft | |
| Thu 29 | 74 / 88 °F | 11 mph SE | 6.4 ft | |
| Fri 30 | 74 / 88 °F | 7 mph NNW | 4.1 ft | |
| Sat 31 | 73 / 88 °F | 9 mph NNW | 3.5 ft | |
| Sun 1 | 75 / 88 °F | 9 mph NNW | 3.6 ft | |
| Mon 2 | 76 / 88 °F | 9 mph NNW | 3.5 ft | |
| Tue 3 | 74 / 88 °F | 6 mph WNW | 3.8 ft | |
| Wed 4 | 74 / 87 °F | 5 mph NW | 3.7 ft | |
| Thu 5 | 72 / 86 °F | 4 mph NNE | 2.8 ft | |
| Fri 6 | 71 / 86 °F | 5 mph NE | 3.0 ft | |
| Sat 7 | 72 / 86 °F | 5 mph E | 2.9 ft | |
| Sun 8 | 73 / 85 °F | 5 mph N | 2.8 ft | |
| Mon 9 | 71 / 85 °F | 6 mph N | 3.0 ft | |
| Tue 10 | 70 / 87 °F | 5 mph NE | 2.8 ft |
- Thu 29 Light showers 74° / 88° 6.4 ft
- Fri 30 Overcast 74° / 88° 4.1 ft
- Sat 31 Overcast 73° / 88° 3.5 ft
- Sun 1 Overcast 75° / 88° 3.6 ft
- Mon 2 Overcast 76° / 88° 3.5 ft
- Tue 3 Overcast 74° / 88° 3.8 ft
- Wed 4 Overcast 74° / 87° 3.7 ft
Each day comes from the best model covering this spot: regional ones first (HRRR and NBM in the U.S., AROME, ICON-EU), then ECMWF; day 16, NOAA GFS. Waves: Météo-France up to day 10, then ECMWF WAM, coarser and further offshore.
- The models Partly agree · medium confidence: unsure about rain today. See the models →
- Outlook Next few weeks, compared with normal: a bit warmer, normal rain and a warmer sea. See the outlook →
- Normal Today, cooler than normal for late October (−12.4 °F; normal high: 91 °F). Climate by month →
Forecast from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) with models from ECMWF, NOAA, Météo-France, DWD, Copernicus Marine and CAMS. Updated at 10:41 pm (local time).
The sun in Santa Cruz
Sunrise and sunset
- First light 5:15 am
- Full dark 6:17 pm
- Civil dawn 5:41 am
- Civil dusk 5:51 pm
- Solar noon 11:46 am (55° high)
- Daylight 11 h 24 min (−1 min)
- Evening golden hour 4:57 pm
- Full dark 6:17 pm
Golden hour and the day-night map
Today the sun is 92,352,700 mi away and looks 32′ 11″ across.
The moon in Santa Cruz
Moon phase and position
Today the moon is 226,426 mi away and looks 32′ 47″ across.
Solunar periods
Today's activity: medium- 12:43–2:43 am Major · the moon passes overhead · high activity
- 1:14–3:14 pm Major · the moon passes underfoot · high activity
- 8:16–9:16 am Minor · moonset · medium activity
- 7:11–8:11 pm Minor · moonrise · medium activity
According to solunar theory, fish feed more when the moon passes overhead or underfoot (major periods, about 2 h) and when it rises or sets (minor periods, 1 h). It works best around new and full moon.
Upcoming moon phases
2026 moon calendar →- Last quarter Sun, Nov 1 · 1:29 pmNov 1 in 4 days
- New moon Mon, Nov 9 · 12:03 amNov 9 in 12 days
- First quarter Tue, Nov 17 · 4:48 amNov 17 in 20 days
- Full moon Tue, Nov 24 · 7:54 amNov 24 in 27 days
Perigee on October 28, 226,426 mi away, coinciding with the spring tides from October 26 to 28: they will be stronger than usual.
Where to fish in Santa Cruz
Piers, ramps and tackle shops nearby
We have no piers, boat ramps or tackle shops on record within 9.3 mi of Santa Cruz.
If you know one, you can add it to OpenStreetMap and it will show up here after the next update. Missing one? Add it to OpenStreetMap
Spots: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and Overture Maps.
Water depth
Deepens quicklyThe bottom deepens quickly: 33 ft of water 1,100 ft from shore.
From the shoreline (2.2 mi from Santa Cruz) out to sea, heading west.
How far from shore
- 16 ft deep850 ft
- 33 ft deep1,100 ft
- 66 ft deep0.3 mi
- 164 ft deepnot within 3.1 mi
For fishing, swimming and diving
- Shore fishing. 33 ft of water just 1,100 ft from shore: a good cast reaches deep water. Current and surf hit harder here.
- Swimming. The water gets deeper little by little, but a few dozen yards out you can no longer stand.
- Diving. Shore diving works here: 33 ft at 1,100 ft and 66 ft at 0.3 mi from shore.
Rough estimate: here the data comes in cells of about 0.3 mi and misses details near shore (rocks, sandbars, small coves).
Source: NOAA ETOPO 2022 (CC0), cells of about 0.3 mi; depth below mean sea level. For reference only: not for navigation or anchoring.
Tides near Santa CruzTides nearby
- La Quinta (El Rancho de la Higuera)0.9 mi
- Acajala4.6 mi
- Las Labores5.6 mi
- La Playa del Colorado7.2 mi
- Embarcadero Tecocota8.2 mi
- Puerta de Palapares8.6 mi
- El Matadero9.5 mi
- Mexcaltitán de Uribe9.7 mi
- Palmar de Cuautla17 mi
- San Blas37 mi
Santa Cruz at a glance
- Town or city of about 1,316 people. Coordinates: 21.982° N, 105.602° W.
- It is 37 mi northwest of San Blas, the main place in Nayarit. The sun rises 2 min later and sets 1 min later than in San Blas.
- Its coast faces west.
Questions about Santa CruzQuestions
What time is sunset today in Santa Cruz?
At 5:28 pm. There is light until the end of civil twilight, at 5:51 pm.
What time is sunrise tomorrow in Santa Cruz?
At 6:05 am. First light comes at 5:15 am.
What phase is the moon today?
Waning gibbous, 91% illuminated. New moon on Mon, Nov 9 · 12:03 am.
When are the next spring tides?
From October 26 to 28, together with the lunar perigee: they will be stronger than usual.
What are today's solunar periods?
Major 12:43–2:43 am, Minor 8:16–9:16 am, Major 1:14–3:14 pm, Minor 7:11–8:11 pm. Today's activity is medium.
What's the weather like today in Santa Cruz?
Showers, from 75 °F to 79 °F, with a light air from the east (2 mph) and a 100% chance of rain.
How is the sea today in Santa Cruz?
Moderate (Douglas 4): 4.7 ft waves with a period of 9.7 s from the south-southwest. The water is 87.8 °F.
When is the best time to visit Santa Cruz?
The best time to visit Santa Cruz is from December to April: highs of 85 °F to 89 °F, barely 1 rainy day a month and 7 hours of sunshine a day.
Can I use this data for navigation?
No. These are predictions for fishing and leisure; for navigation, use the official publications.
Where this data comes from
Sun and moon: our own calculation with astronomy-engine. Places: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Coastline: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).