Finding the pulse of the reef...
This week
snorkel & freedive readBest day this week: Thursday, 8 AM–2 PM.
Next 12 hours
Clear now, partly cloudy moving in around 11 PM.
Conditions
Visibility, water, current, and wind. The in-water read.
Visibility
Clear
Calm wind
Water
65°
5 mm
Current
0.3 kt
slack
Surge
7.8s
some surge
Wind
6 mph
cross SSW
Visibility is an estimate — wind, rain, tide & water alerts.
The spot
The things that stay true when the weather changes.
Monterey Breakwater, CA runs roughly 10 to 60 feet deep in the area people use.
Monterey Breakwater, CA suits beginners in ordinary conditions.
One of the most sheltered shore entries in Monterey, with reliably calm water. Visibility usually runs 10 to 30 ft.
Metered city lot at the foot of Reeside Avenue by San Carlos Beach. It fills early on weekends with dive classes.
Checked 2026-07-21. Sources: CDFW: Edward F. Ricketts State Marine Conservation Area, California Coastal Commission: San Carlos Beach Park access data, California Diving News: the Breakwater, Monterey, City of Monterey: sea lions temporarily closing San Carlos Beach access.
Tides & Sky
When the water moves, and how bright the night.
Calmest water was
5:42 PM – 6:37 PM
Low slack · Low evening sun · Least current
That window has passed — the water settles again at the next slack tide.
High
12:02 PM
5.549ft
Low
6:42 PM
0.034ft
Waxing Crescent
7%
Daylight: 11h 23m · UV 6 Moderate
Life
The reef keeps its own calendar.
Pelagic Cormorant · Brown Pelican · Black Oystercatcher · Heermann's Gull · Black-bellied Plover +11 more
Regulations
Take only what the season allows.
We've only loaded detailed seasons & limits for South Florida so far. For California, check the official source before you fish:
California saltwater regulationsOfficial source: CDFW· opens the agency site
Now. The water is alive and waiting.
Snorkel: clear viz, cool 65 F water, 8-9 ft waves, 6 mph cross wind.
Best window was: 5:42 PM–6:37 PM · Low slack · Low evening sun · Least current