Finding the pulse of the reef...
This week
snorkel & freedive readBest day this week: Tuesday, 8–11 AM. Still an early read.
Next 12 hours
Partly cloudy for the next 12 hours, cooling to 62°.
Conditions
Visibility, water, current, and wind. The in-water read.
Visibility
Decent
Calm wind · Recent / incoming rain
Water
60°
5–7 mm + hood
Current
0.4 kt
gentle drift
Surge
6.1s
some surge
Wind
6 mph
onshore WSW
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.
Best in-water window
3:35 PM – 5:35 PM
Low slack · Good light · Least current
Slack tide means least current and the clearest water — best around the turn, in good light.
High
9:57 PM
5.628ft
Low
4:59 AM
-0.091ft
Full Moon
100%
Daylight: 13h 8m · UV 6 High
Life
The reef keeps its own calendar.
Common Murre · Western Gull · Great Blue Heron · California Brown Pelican · Great Egret +1 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
Not perfect, but the reef is calling.
Snorkel: decent viz, cold 60 F water, 4-5 ft waves, 6 mph onshore wind.
Best window: 3:35 PM–5:35 PM · Low slack · Good light · Least current