TidePlanet
Official alerts:
  • Coastal Flood Advisory: minor flooding along the shore at high tide. Until Sat 31, 6:00 pm. NWS San Francisco CA

Today in Monterey State Beach there are high tides at 2:16 am (3.8 ft) and 12:32 pm (6.3 ft) and low tides at 6:14 am and 8:19 pm. Tide coefficient 78. Right now the tide is falling toward the low tide at 6:14 am. The sun rises at 7:28 am and sets at 6:14 pm: 10 h 45 min of daylight. The moon is 83% illuminated (waning gibbous) and rises at 9:09 pm. Major solunar periods run from 2:55 am to 4:55 am and from 3:27 pm to 5:27 pm. The next spring tides arrive from November 9 to 11. The sea is moderate, with 5.2 ft waves. There's a light air from the east-southeast (3 mph). Overcast, 53 °F.

Beach

Beach day in Monterey State Beach

Beach forecast, 7 days →

Is it a beach day?

1
Not a beach day · 1 out of 10 No good beach time today.
  • Offshore breeze (7 mph)
  • UV 4 (moderate): SPF 30 sunscreen
  • Water at 66 °F (cool)
  • Cloudy (80% cloud cover)
  • Feels like 65 °F: a bit cool
  • Swim with care: 5.2 ft waves every 10 s; moderate rip current risk

Today, hour by hour

  • Swimming Use care · 5.2 ft

    5.2 ft waves every 10 s: swim with care and stay where you can stand. Moderate rip current risk. Always follow the lifeguard's flags.

  • Water 66 °F

    Cool: refreshing on a hot day.

  • Sun & sunscreen UV 4 · SPF 30

    Max UV 4 (moderate): SPF 30 sunscreen, reapplied every 2 hours.

  • Wind 7 mph

    Offshore breeze (7 mph).

  • Tide & sand 6:14 am

    Low tide at 6:14 am and 8:19 pm: that's when there's the most sand. High tide at 2:16 am and 12:32 pm.

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

About Monterey State BeachThe beach

In Monterey, 0.5 mi from the center. Tides, weather and sun in Monterey →

Surface Sand
Length 0.7 mi
Facing Faces north
Amenities
  • Restrooms
  • Parking

Amenities from OpenStreetMap: some may be missing or out of date. See on OpenStreetMap · Fix on OpenStreetMap

Beaches near Monterey State Beach

Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors

Water quality: check the official beach advisories for California (California State Water Resources Control Board).

Named beaches within 6.2 mi, nearest first. Amenities from OpenStreetMap: some may be missing or out of date. View on OpenStreetMap · Add or fix on OpenStreetMap

Beaches and amenities: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

Fishing

Fishing in Monterey State Beach today

Fishing forecast, 7 days →

Best time to fish

Solunar activity today: medium
6
Average day · 6 out of 10 11:30 am–1:30 pm Also 8:40–9:20 pm and 1:30–3:20 am
  • High tide at 12:32 pm, coefficient 75
  • Minor period 11:16 am–12:16 pm (moonset)
  • Falling pressure (−0.09 inHg in 24 h), light offshore wind (6 mph) and 5.1 ft waves
  • Waning gibbous: a bit more activity than at the quarters
  • Highest tide coefficient today: 78 (average tides)

Your day at a glance

The best window, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, combines the 12:32 pm high tide, moonset and falling pressure. Also good from 8:40 pm to 9:20 pm, with the 8:19 pm low tide and moonrise. Also good from 1:30 am to 3:20 am, with the 2:16 am high tide, a major period and a light onshore breeze.

Species with the most records nearby: black rockfish, lingcod, kelp bass and California halibut. October is one of the months when these are seen most: kelp bass and blue shark. What you can catch

How it works · Next 7 days · Fishing rules

Tides

Tides in Monterey State Beach

Tides for 7 days →

Today's high and low tides

  • ▲ High tide 2:16 am 3.8 ft · coef. 78
  • ▲ High tide 12:32 pm 6.3 ft · coef. 75
  • ▼ Low tide 8:19 pm -0.8 ft

↓ Falling The tide is falling. 5 min to low tide at 6:14 am.

Tide coefficient 78 for the 2:16 am high tide and 75 for the 12:32 pm high tide. Average coefficient. The water rises and falls 7.1 ft between the highest high and the lowest low: a large range for this place. 70 is an average tide here; 90 and above means spring tides; below 45, neap tides. What is the tide coefficient?

2026 extremes: the highest tide of the year is on December 24 (7.0 ft) and the lowest, on June 16 (-2.0 ft).

Mixed: two high and two low tides a day, but of quite different heights.

Heights above mean lower low water (MLLW), the zero of US nautical charts. Astronomical prediction: wind and air pressure can raise or lower the water by a few inches, and more in a storm. Not for navigation. MLLW

Tide coefficient and range in October

The biggest tides of the month came from October 7 to 9 (coefficient 92, 5.0 ft range). The smallest, on October 17 (coefficient 35, 4.0 ft).

Tide and solunar table · this week

Day Sun Tide 1Tide 2Tide 3Tide 4 Coef. Moon Major periods Activity
Today, Thu 29 7:28 am · 6:14 pm High tide 2:16 am · 3.8 ft Low tide 6:14 am · 3.0 ft High tide 12:32 pm · 6.3 ft Low tide 8:19 pm · -0.8 ft Coef. 78 83% Major periods 2:55 am · 3:27 pm Medium
Fri 30 7:29 am · 6:13 pm High tide 3:32 am · 3.8 ft Low tide 7:11 am · 3.2 ft High tide 1:28 pm · 5.9 ft Low tide 9:22 pm · -0.6 ft Coef. 70 73% Major periods 3:59 am · 4:31 pm Medium
Sat 31 7:30 am · 6:12 pm High tide 4:49 am · 3.9 ft Low tide 8:30 am · 3.3 ft High tide 2:36 pm · 5.5 ft Low tide 10:28 pm · -0.4 ft Coef. 63 62% Major periods 5:01 am · 5:30 pm Medium
Sun 1 6:31 am · 5:11 pm High tide 4:52 am · 4.1 ft Low tide 9:14 am · 3.2 ft High tide 2:57 pm · 5.1 ft Low tide 10:31 pm · -0.2 ft Coef. 62 Last quarter Major periods 4:58 am · 5:25 pm Medium
Mon 2 6:32 am · 5:10 pm High tide 5:41 am · 4.4 ft Low tide 10:54 am · 2.7 ft High tide 4:23 pm · 4.7 ft Low tide 11:27 pm · 0.1 ft Coef. 67 39% Major periods 5:50 am · 6:15 pm Medium
Tue 3 6:33 am · 5:09 pm High tide 6:20 am · 4.7 ft Low tide 12:11 pm · 2.1 ft High tide 5:45 pm · 4.5 ft — Coef. 73 29% Major periods 6:39 am · 7:02 pm Medium
Wed 4 6:34 am · 5:08 pm Low tide 12:17 am · 0.5 ft High tide 6:55 am · 5.0 ft Low tide 1:11 pm · 1.4 ft High tide 6:58 pm · 4.3 ft Coef. 79 20% Major periods 7:24 am · 7:46 pm Medium

▲ high tide · ▼ low tide · heights above MLLW. Major periods: start time; they last 2 hours. Activity: based on the moon phase and the solunar periods.

Where this tide comes from

A · Official station

Tides from the Monterey station (NOAA), 0.6 mi from Monterey State Beach. Times and heights are its predictions.

Station data attribution: Slackwater database (https://github.com/openwatersio/slackwater-database)

How we calculate the tide

Sea and waves

The sea at Monterey State Beach

7-day waves

Sea stateSea state: moderate

Moderate Douglas 4 · light breeze, Beaufort 2
Waves 5.2 ft · 10.1 s from the west-northwest (295°)
Swell 4.2 ft · 6.3 s from the northwest
Current 0.2 mph toward the NNE

The waves you may find

  • Most commonMost common2.6 ft
  • Significant5.2 ft
  • Highest expectedHighest10 ft

One wave in seven is higher than the significant height, and about 3 times a day one reaches 10 ft. Before heading out, expect waves of up to 10 ft.

Wind on the coast and offshore

On the coast 3 mph ESE · gusts 4
Offshore (9.4 mi SW)Offshore 6 mph NNE · gusts 10

Cross-shore wind. The coast faces north and the wind blows along the shore: drift and current run parallel to the beach.

Cross-shore Hourly wind →

Wave height, next 7 daysWaves, next 7 days

Waves build over the next few days. The biggest waves arrive on Monday 2: 7.1 ft with a period of 15 s, from the west-northwest (moderate).

Water temperature

Water temperature →
Water now65.7 °F
Today 65.7–66.2 °F air: 51 / 67 °F
Satellite (yesterday) 66.4 °F measured 0.7 mi away

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 (+8.2 °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 6:09 am (local time).

Nearest buoy

Monterey Canyon Outer, CA (156) Buoy 46236 · 11 mi NNW of here Measured at 5:00 am, 1 h 9 min ago
Waves 3.6 ft · 8 s from the west-northwest (296°)
Water 64.4 °F air 58 °F

This is a real measurement of the sea, not a forecast. Data from station 46236, courtesy of CDIP (Coastal Data Information Program, Scripps Institution of Oceanography), via the NOAA National Data Buoy Center.

Diving

Diving in Monterey State Beach today

Diving and snorkeling, 7 days →

Diving and snorkeling today

Likely visibility: fair
7
Good day · 7 out of 10 11:20 am–1:30 pm Also 7:30–8:10 am
  • Slack water around high tide (12:32 pm): little current from 12:10 pm to 1:00 pm
  • 3.9 ft swell at 6 s from the northwest: some surge on the bottom
  • Light offshore wind (7 mph)
  • 0.5 mph current toward the north-northeast, weak (model)
  • Sun high: more light underwater
Swell 3.9 ft 6 s · from the NW
Likely visibility Fair Snorkeling: poor
Water and suit 65.7 °F 5 mm wetsuit
Current 0.5 mph toward the NNE
  • Slack water today: high tide 2:16 am (1:40–3:10 am), low tide 6:14 am (5:20–7:00 am), high tide 12:32 pm (12:10–1:00 pm) and low tide 8:19 pm (8:00–8:40 pm)
  • Likely visibility: fair. Swell (up to 5.4 ft at 7 s) over the last few days has stirred up the water. Based on the last 24 hours of data.
  • Water at 65.7 °F: a 5 mm wetsuit.
  • Snorkeling: better not, with these waves, wind or current.
  • Night dive: dark from 6:40 pm. Waning gibbous (83%), rising at 9:09 pm: a bright night.

Your diving day at a glance

The best window, 11:20 am to 1:30 pm, combines slack water at high tide, light wind, weak current and the sun high, though with some swell. Also worth a look from 7:30 am to 8:10 am, with light wind and weak current, though with tidal current and some swell.

Slack water comes from the tide: in inlets, channels and between islands the water can keep running for an hour or two after. Ask the local dive shop.

Never dive alone and check with the local dive shop: this rating is a guide, not a substitute for a professional.

How it works · Next 7 days

Dive sites, wrecks and dive shops nearby

Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors

Within 12 mi. Some may be missing or closed; marine reserves usually need a permit. Open the map on OpenStreetMap · Missing one? Add it to OpenStreetMap

Sites: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Sites and fish: Reef Life Survey / IMOS NRMN, CC BY 4.0; fish names, Wikidata.

Weather

Weather in Monterey State Beach

14-day weather

Now in Monterey State Beach

Now 53 °F Overcast · feels like 49 °F · 51 / 67 °F
Low / high
51 / 67 °F
Rain
0.00 in · 5%
Clouds
99%
Humidity
56%
Dew pointDew point
38 °F
Visibility
20 mi
UV indexUV
0 · low
Air qualityAir
Moderate · 55
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). It barely changes over the next 48 hours. 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 am3:00 am6:00 am9:00 am12:00 pm3:00 pm6:00 pm9:00 pm
Sky OvercastOvercastOvercastOvercastPartly cloudyPartly cloudyOvercastOvercast
Temperature 56°51°53°58°67°65°62°58°
Wind (mph) 3 ENE2 ENE3 ESE5 S7 WSW6 WSW6 WSW3 W
Gusts 116471112138
Waves 5.5 ft5.4 ft5.2 ft5.2 ft5.1 ft5.1 ft5.1 ft5.0 ft
Rain 0.00 in0.00 in0.00 in0.00 in0.00 in0.00 in0.00 in0.00 in
  • 6:00 am 53° 3 ESE 5.2 ft
  • 9:00 am 58° 5 S 5.2 ft
  • 12:00 pm 67° 7 WSW 5.1 ft
  • 3:00 pm 65° 6 WSW 5.1 ft
  • 6:00 pm 62° 6 WSW 5.1 ft
  • 9:00 pm 58° 3 W 5.0 ft
  • 12:00 am 55° 6 W 4.9 ft
  • 3:00 am 58° 4 WNW 4.8 ft

Next 14 daysComing days

Day Sky Low / high Max wind Max wave High tides
Today · 29 Overcast 51 / 67 °F 7 mph SW 5.5 ft 2:16 am · 12:32 pm
Fri 30 Overcast 55 / 64 °F 10 mph WNW 4.9 ft 3:32 am · 1:28 pm
Sat 31 Light drizzle 54 / 62 °F 8 mph NW 4.3 ft 4:49 am · 2:36 pm
Sun 1 Light drizzle 53 / 63 °F 15 mph NNW 5.8 ft 4:52 am · 2:57 pm
Mon 2 Overcast 53 / 66 °F 7 mph NNE 7.1 ft 5:41 am · 4:23 pm
Tue 3 Overcast 55 / 66 °F 8 mph N 7.0 ft 6:20 am · 5:45 pm
Wed 4 Overcast 55 / 65 °F 8 mph SW 6.3 ft 6:55 am · 6:58 pm
Thu 5 Light drizzle 55 / 65 °F 11 mph WNW 5.1 ft 7:26 am · 8:02 pm
Fri 6 Light drizzle 56 / 64 °F 12 mph NW 12 ft 7:56 am · 9:01 pm
Sat 7 Clear sky 56 / 65 °F 10 mph NNW 12 ft 8:24 am · 9:56 pm
Sun 8 Overcast 56 / 65 °F 9 mph N 10 ft 8:52 am · 10:48 pm
Mon 9 Light drizzle 56 / 69 °F 9 mph N 10 ft 9:20 am · 11:39 pm
Tue 10 Overcast 54 / 67 °F 12 mph S 10 ft 9:49 am
Wed 11 Overcast 58 / 69 °F 11 mph SSE 13 ft 12:32 am · 10:20 am
  • Fri 30 Overcast 55° / 64° 4.9 ft
  • Sat 31 Light drizzle 54° / 62° 4.3 ft
  • Sun 1 Light drizzle 53° / 63° 5.8 ft
  • Mon 2 Overcast 53° / 66° 7.1 ft
  • Tue 3 Overcast 55° / 66° 7.0 ft
  • Wed 4 Overcast 55° / 65° 6.3 ft
  • Thu 5 Light drizzle 55° / 65° 5.1 ft
See all 14 days →

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. High tides: our own tide calculation.

Forecast from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) with models from ECMWF, NOAA, Météo-France, DWD, Copernicus Marine and CAMS. Updated at 6:09 am (local time).

Sun

The sun in Monterey State Beach

Sunrise and sunset →

Sunrise and sunset

Rises 7:28 am in the ESE (106°)ESE
Sets 6:14 pm in the WSW (253°)WSW
  • First light 6:31 am
  • Full dark 7:11 pm
  • Civil dawn 7:02 am
  • Civil dusk 6:40 pm
  • Solar noon 12:51 pm (40° high)
  • Daylight 10 h 45 min (−2 min)
  • Evening golden hour 5:38 pm
  • Full dark 7:11 pm

Golden hour and the day-night map

Morning golden hour7:28–8:04 am
Evening golden hour5:38–6:14 pm
Monterey State Beach

Today the sun is 92,327,384 mi away and looks 32′ 11″ across.

Moon and solunar

The moon in Monterey State Beach

The moon for 7 days →

Moon phase and position

Waning gibbous · 83% 83% illuminated · 19.1 days old New moon on Sun, Nov 8 · 11:03 pm
Rises 9:09 pm in the NE (55°)NE
Sets 12:45 pm tomorrow · in the NW (304°) · set at 11:46 am
Transit 3:55 am overhead
Visible 15 h 37 min from 9:09 pm to 12:45 pm

Today the moon is 226,837 mi away and looks 32′ 43″ across.

Solunar periods

Today's activity: medium
  • 2:55–4:55 am Major · the moon passes overhead · high activity
  • 3:27–5:27 pm Major · the moon passes underfoot · high activity
  • 11:16 am–12:16 pm Minor · moonset · medium activity
  • 8:39–9:39 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 · 12:29 pmNov 1 in 3 days
  • New moon Sun, Nov 8 · 11:03 pmNov 8 in 10 days
  • First quarter Tue, Nov 17 · 3:48 amNov 17 in 19 days
  • Full moon Tue, Nov 24 · 6:54 amNov 24 in 26 days

Next perigee (the moon at its closest to Earth): November 25, 223,281 mi away.

Place

Where to fish in Monterey State Beach

All places in California →

Piers, ramps and tackle shops nearby

Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors

Within 9.3 mi. A spot may be missing or closed. Open the map on OpenStreetMap · Missing one? Add it to OpenStreetMap

Spots: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and Overture Maps.

Water depth

Deepens quickly

The bottom deepens quickly: 33 ft of water 900 ft from shore. It reaches 164 ft at 1.9 mi.

From the shoreline out to sea, heading north.

How far from shore

  • 16 ft deep350 ft
  • 33 ft deep900 ft
  • 66 ft deep0.6 mi
  • 164 ft deep1.9 mi

For fishing, swimming and diving

  • Shore fishing. Deep water close in: about 15 ft just 330 ft out. Good for casting from rocks, jetties or the beach itself; current and surf hit harder here.
  • Swimming. The bottom drops quickly near the shore and you are soon out of your depth. Keep an eye on kids and weak swimmers.
  • Diving. Shore diving works here: 33 ft at 900 ft and 66 ft at 0.6 mi from shore.

Inside bays, estuaries and harbors the bottom changes a lot from spot to spot (channels and shoals): use this only as a rough guide.

Source: NOAA Southern California Coastal Relief Model (public domain), cells of about 100 ft; depth below mean sea level. For reference only: not for navigation or anchoring.

Nearest lighthouse

Photo of Point Pinos Lighthouse
Photo: Frank Schulenburg · CC BY-SA 3.0

Point Pinos Lighthouse 3.5 mi northwest

Light
White light that goes dark once every 4 s · Oc W 4s
Range
17 nautical miles (20 mi)
Light height
89 ft above sea level
Tower height
43 ft
Built
1855

Data from Wikidata. For reference only: not for navigation. Wikipedia · Wikidata · Sources and licenses

Tides near Monterey State BeachTides nearby

All places in California, A to Z (712) →

Monterey State Beach at a glance

  • Beach. Coordinates: 36.601° N, 121.886° W.
  • It is 379 mi northwest of San Diego, the main place in California. The sun rises 24 min later and sets 13 min later than in San Diego.
  • In Monterey, 0.5 mi from the center.
  • The nearest tide station, Monterey, is 0.6 mi to the northwest.
  • Its coast faces north.
  • Beaches and harbors nearby: Municipal Wharf Number 2 (0.3 mi), Fishermans Wharf (0.5 mi), Coast Guard Pier (0.7 mi), San Carlos Beach (0.8 mi).

Questions about Monterey State BeachQuestions

Where is Monterey State Beach?

In Monterey, 0.5 mi from the center, California (United States). The shore faces north.

What amenities does Monterey State Beach have?

According to OpenStreetMap: restrooms and parking. Some may be missing or out of date, so ask at the beach.

How clean is the water at Monterey State Beach?

There's no open yearly bathing water rating in the US. Each state and territory monitors its beaches and posts an advisory when swimming isn't safe: check the official beach advisories for California (California State Water Resources Control Board).

What time is high tide today in Monterey State Beach?

Today in Monterey State Beach there are high tides at 2:16 am (3.8 ft) and 12:32 pm (6.3 ft) and low tides at 6:14 am and 8:19 pm. Tide coefficient 78.

What time is sunset today in Monterey State Beach?

At 6:14 pm. There is light until the end of civil twilight, at 6:40 pm.

What time is sunrise tomorrow in Monterey State Beach?

At 7:29 am. First light comes at 6:32 am.

What phase is the moon today?

Waning gibbous, 83% illuminated. New moon on Sun, Nov 8 · 11:03 pm.

When are the next spring tides?

From November 9 to 11.

What are today's solunar periods?

Major 2:55–4:55 am, Minor 11:16 am–12:16 pm, Major 3:27–5:27 pm, Minor 8:39–9:39 pm. Today's activity is medium.

What's the weather like today in Monterey State Beach?

Overcast, from 51 °F to 67 °F, with a light air from the east-southeast (3 mph) and a 5% chance of rain.

How is the sea today in Monterey State Beach?

Moderate (Douglas 4): 5.2 ft waves with a period of 10.1 s from the west-northwest. The water is 65.7 °F.

When is the best time to visit Monterey State Beach?

The best time to visit Monterey State Beach is from July to September: highs of 67 °F to 70 °F, barely 1 rainy day a month and 9 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

Tide: NOAA station Monterey (public domain), via Slackwater database. Sun and moon: our own calculation with astronomy-engine. Places: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Coastline: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

Spotted a mistake? Tell us · How we calculate the tide

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