MontereyOtter Cove
Otter Cove
Pacific Grove, Monterey Bay, California
Otter Cove · Right now
Good
Waves at this site, 13 s swell:
- Great under ~1.7 ft
- Good to ~2.8 ft
- Fair to ~3.9 ft
- Rough to ~5.5 ft
- Severe above ~5.5 ft
Partly sheltered from west swell. Some surge possible at the stairs.
High confidence
High confidence: Based on a live buoy reading 30 min ago.
Updated 24 min ago
Buoy reading: 4:00 PM (54 min ago) at buoy 46236. Measured offshore waves; the current rating starts from it.
Forecast issued: Wed, Oct 14, 1:26 PM PDT. NWS wind and air forecast for this spot; later hours also use the wave model run named under Advanced.
Page data: refreshed every 30 minutes; last refresh Wed, Oct 14, 4:30 PM PDT.
Right now
- Waves
- 1.7ft Estimate
- Swell
- 3ft WNW · 13 sec
- Wind
- 11kt Cross-offshore
- Tide
- 3.6ft Falling · 0.8 ft above predicted
From the CDIP MOP nearshore wave model (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) at about 15 m depth off this site. An estimate, not a measurement at the beach.
All readings
- Swells: 3 ft, 13 s WNW · 3 ft, 7 s WNW · Wind 11 kt cross-offshore
- Next low tide 8:15 PM (0.3 ft)
- Next high tide 3:37 AM (3.6 ft)
- Water temperature from the Monterey harbor tide station (NOAA 9413450); wind (including half the gust) and air from the NWS forecast for this hour.
Forecast limitations
The rating covers surge and entry conditions only.
- Visibility Plankton, runoff and water stirred up for days after big seas aren't in the rating. A "Vis likely poor" note only warns when a known cause is present; it never promises clear water.
- Depth On long-period days, surge on deeper reefs is stronger than at the entry.
- On the day Sets, kelp and currents vary; look at the water before you go in.
- Further out Accuracy drops the further out you look; days 6 and 7 are a rough guide.
- This site Few dive reports to check its rating against yet.
Plan your dive
Today · Select a time
Day GoodAfter dark GoodWhy Good?
A long-period west swell is partly sheltered here, so expect some surge at the stairs.
Swells: 3 ft, 13 s WNW · 3 ft, 7 s WNW · Wind 11 kt cross-offshore
Rated by the most challenging conditions in the rest of today's daytime, to 8 PM. After dark (8 PM to midnight) is shown as conditions, not as a dive window.
High confidence: Based on a live buoy reading from the last hour.
This window has passed.
This window has passed.
Partly sheltered from west swell. Some surge possible at the stairs.
- Waves
- 1.7ft Estimate
- Swell
- 3ft WNW · 13 sec
- Wind
- 11kt Cross-offshore
- Tide
- 2.7ft
From the CDIP MOP nearshore wave model (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) at about 15 m depth off this site. An estimate, not a measurement at the beach.
Roughest around 4:30 PM
High confidence
High confidence: Based on a live buoy reading 54 min ago.
Sunset 6:33 PMDark by 6:59 PMWaxing crescent, about 16% lit
Partly sheltered from northwest swell. Some surge possible at the stairs.
- Waves
- 1.6ft Estimate
- Swell
- 2.5ft WNW · 13 sec
- Wind
- 6kt Light
- Tide
- 0.3ft
From the CDIP MOP nearshore wave model (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) at about 15 m depth off this site. An estimate, not a measurement at the beach.
Low tide 8:15 PM (0.3 ft) · Roughest around 8 PM
High confidence
High confidence: This is a forecast about 4 hours ahead; recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Reduced visibility after dark; access rules still apply.
Sunset 6:33 PMDark by 6:59 PMWaxing crescent, about 16% lit
Best entry near high tide: 12:33 PM (5.3 ft). At low tide the entry is a long crawl over shallow rock; near high tide you can float over it.
Thu, Oct 15 · Select a time
Day GoodAfter dark GoodWhy Good?
A northwest swell is partly blocked by Point Pinos and Otter Point, so expect some surge at the stairs.
Swells: 2 ft, 12 s WNW · 2 ft, 14 s SSW · 2 ft, 6 s NW · Wind 9 kt onshore
Rated by the most challenging conditions from 7 AM to 8 PM. After dark (8 PM to midnight) is shown as conditions, not as a dive window.
Medium confidence because this forecast is about 15 hours ahead, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Partly sheltered from northwest swell. Some surge possible at the stairs.
- Waves
- 1.5ft Estimate
- Swell
- 2.3ft WNW · 12 sec
- Wind
- 9kt Onshore
- Tide
- 3.3ft
From the CDIP MOP nearshore wave model (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) at about 15 m depth off this site. An estimate, not a measurement at the beach.
Roughest around 7 AM
Medium confidence
Medium confidence because this forecast is about 15 hours ahead, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Partly sheltered from northwest swell. Some surge possible at the stairs.
- Waves
- 1.4ft Estimate
- Swell
- 2.3ft WNW · 12 sec
- Wind
- 10kt Cross-shore
- Tide
- 4.9ft
From the CDIP MOP nearshore wave model (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) at about 15 m depth off this site. An estimate, not a measurement at the beach.
High tide 1:10 PM (5.1 ft) · Roughest around 12 PM
Medium confidence
Medium confidence because this forecast is about 20 hours ahead, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Partly sheltered from northwest swell. Some surge possible at the stairs.
- Waves
- 1.4ft Estimate
- Swell
- 2.3ft WNW · 12 sec
- Wind
- 9kt Offshore
- Tide
- 2.9ft
From the CDIP MOP nearshore wave model (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) at about 15 m depth off this site. An estimate, not a measurement at the beach.
Roughest around 5 PM
Low confidence
Low confidence because the wave model is in its first week of calibration here; this forecast is about 25 hours ahead, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Sunset 6:31 PMDark by 6:57 PMWaxing crescent, about 24% lit
Partly sheltered from northwest swell. Some surge possible at the stairs.
- Waves
- 1.4ft Estimate
- Swell
- 2.3ft WNW · 12 sec
- Wind
- 6kt Onshore
- Tide
- 0.6ft
From the CDIP MOP nearshore wave model (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) at about 15 m depth off this site. An estimate, not a measurement at the beach.
Low tide 9:11 PM (0.4 ft) · Roughest around 8 PM
Low confidence
Low confidence because the wave model is in its first week of calibration here; this forecast is about 28 hours ahead, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Reduced visibility after dark; access rules still apply.
Sunset 6:31 PMDark by 6:57 PMWaxing crescent, about 24% lit
Best entry near high tide: 1:10 PM (5.1 ft). At low tide the entry is a long crawl over shallow rock; near high tide you can float over it.
Fri, Oct 16 · Select a time
Day FairAfter dark GoodWhy Fair?
11 kt onshore wind chops up the entry and the surface swim.
Swells: 3 ft, 12 s WNW · 2 ft, 14 s SSW · Wind 11 kt onshore
Rated by the most challenging conditions from 7 AM to 8 PM. After dark (8 PM to midnight) is shown as conditions, not as a dive window.
Low confidence because the wave model is in its first week of calibration here; this forecast is about 40 hours ahead, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
11 kt onshore wind chops up the entry. Partly sheltered from northwest swell.
- Waves
- 1.1ft Estimate
- Swell
- 2.6ft WNW · 12 sec
- Wind
- 11kt Onshore
- Tide
- 3.5ft
From the CDIP MOP nearshore wave model (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) at about 15 m depth off this site. An estimate, not a measurement at the beach.
Low tide 7:37 AM (3.5 ft) · Roughest around 8 AM
Low confidence
Low confidence because the wave model is in its first week of calibration here; this forecast is about 40 hours ahead, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Partly sheltered from northwest swell. Some surge possible at the stairs.
- Waves
- 1.1ft Estimate
- Swell
- 2.4ft WNW · 12 sec
- Wind
- 7kt Onshore
- Tide
- 4.5ft
From the CDIP MOP nearshore wave model (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) at about 15 m depth off this site. An estimate, not a measurement at the beach.
High tide 1:58 PM (4.8 ft) · Roughest around 12 PM
Low confidence
Low confidence because the wave model is in its first week of calibration here; this forecast is about 44 hours ahead, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Partly sheltered from northwest swell. Local wind chop on the surface.
- Waves
- 1ft Estimate
- Swell
- 2.3ft WNW · 12 sec
- Wind
- 8kt Cross-offshore
- Tide
- 3.6ft
From the CDIP MOP nearshore wave model (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) at about 15 m depth off this site. An estimate, not a measurement at the beach.
Roughest around 5 PM
Low confidence
Low confidence because it is about 49 hours out, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Sunset 6:30 PMDark by 6:56 PMFirst quarter, about 34% lit
Sheltered from most south swell. Several factors near their limits at once.
- Waves
- 1ft Estimate
- Swell
- 1.9ft SSW · 14 sec
- Wind
- 5kt Light
- Tide
- 1.3ft
From the CDIP MOP nearshore wave model (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) at about 15 m depth off this site. An estimate, not a measurement at the beach.
Low tide 10:14 PM (0.6 ft) · Roughest around 8 PM
Low confidence
Low confidence because it is about 52 hours out, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Reduced visibility after dark; access rules still apply.
Sunset 6:30 PMDark by 6:56 PMFirst quarter, about 34% lit
Best entry near high tide: 1:58 PM (4.8 ft). At low tide the entry is a long crawl over shallow rock; near high tide you can float over it.
Sat, Oct 17 · Select a time
Day GoodAfter dark GoodWhy Good?
A short-period northwest swell is partly sheltered here, so expect some surge at the stairs.
Swells: 3 ft, 7 s WNW · 2 ft, 12 s WNW · 2 ft, 17 s SSW · Wind 11 kt cross-offshore
Rated by the most challenging conditions from 7 AM to 8 PM. After dark (8 PM to midnight) is shown as conditions, not as a dive window.
Low confidence because it is about 75 hours out, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Partly sheltered from northwest swell. Some surge possible at the stairs.
- Waves
- 1.3ft Estimate
- Swell
- 2ft WNW · 12 sec
- Wind
- 6kt Cross-shore
- Tide
- 3.8ft
From the CDIP MOP nearshore wave model (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) at about 15 m depth off this site. An estimate, not a measurement at the beach.
Low tide 9:03 AM (3.6 ft) · Roughest around 11 AM
Low confidence
Low confidence because it is about 67 hours out, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Partly sheltered from northwest swell. Some surge possible at the stairs.
- Waves
- 1.4ft Estimate
- Swell
- 2.1ft WNW · 12 sec
- Wind
- 6kt Cross-shore
- Tide
- 4.3ft
From the CDIP MOP nearshore wave model (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) at about 15 m depth off this site. An estimate, not a measurement at the beach.
High tide 3:04 PM (4.5 ft) · Roughest around 1 PM
Low confidence
Low confidence because it is about 69 hours out, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Partly sheltered from northwest swell. Some surge possible at the stairs.
- Waves
- 1.7ft Estimate
- Swell
- 3.2ft WNW · 7 sec
- Wind
- 11kt Cross-offshore
- Tide
- 2.7ft
From the CDIP MOP nearshore wave model (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) at about 15 m depth off this site. An estimate, not a measurement at the beach.
Roughest around 7 PM
Low confidence
Low confidence because it is about 75 hours out, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Sunset 6:29 PMDark by 6:55 PMFirst quarter, about 44% lit
Partly sheltered from northwest swell. Some surge possible at the stairs.
- Waves
- 1.9ft Estimate
- Swell
- 3.3ft WNW · 7 sec
- Wind
- 8kt Cross-shore
- Tide
- 0.6ft
From the CDIP MOP nearshore wave model (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) at about 15 m depth off this site. An estimate, not a measurement at the beach.
Low tide 11:18 PM (0.6 ft) · Roughest around 11 PM
Low confidence
Low confidence because it is about 79 hours out, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Reduced visibility after dark; access rules still apply.
Sunset 6:29 PMDark by 6:55 PMFirst quarter, about 44% lit
Best entry near high tide: 3:04 PM (4.5 ft). At low tide the entry is a long crawl over shallow rock; near high tide you can float over it.
Sun, Oct 18 · Select a time
Day FairAfter dark FairWhy Fair?
A northwest swell is partly blocked by Point Pinos and Otter Point, so expect noticeable surge at the stairs.
Swells: 6 ft, 12 s WNW · 2 ft, 16 s SSW · 1 ft, 12 s SSW · Wind 17 kt cross-shore
Rated by the most challenging conditions from 7 AM to 8 PM. After dark (8 PM to midnight) is shown as conditions, not as a dive window.
Low confidence because it is about 94 hours out, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Partly sheltered from west swell. Noticeable surge at the stairs.
- Waves
- 2.1ft Estimate
- Swell
- 3.8ft WNW · 12 sec
- Wind
- 8kt Cross-shore
- Tide
- 3.6ft
From the CDIP MOP nearshore wave model (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) at about 15 m depth off this site. An estimate, not a measurement at the beach.
High tide 7:17 AM (3.8 ft) · Low tide 11:05 AM (3.5 ft) · Roughest around 10 AM
Low confidence
Low confidence because it is about 90 hours out, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Partly sheltered from northwest swell. Noticeable surge at the stairs.
- Waves
- 2.2ft Estimate
- Swell
- 6.1ft WNW · 12 sec
- Wind
- 17kt Cross-shore
- Tide
- 4ft
From the CDIP MOP nearshore wave model (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) at about 15 m depth off this site. An estimate, not a measurement at the beach.
Roughest around 2 PM
Low confidence
Low confidence because it is about 94 hours out, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Partly sheltered from northwest swell. Noticeable surge at the stairs.
- Waves
- 2.3ft Estimate
- Swell
- 4.9ft WNW · 8 sec
- Wind
- 17kt Cross-shore
- Tide
- 4.4ft
From the CDIP MOP nearshore wave model (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) at about 15 m depth off this site. An estimate, not a measurement at the beach.
High tide 4:24 PM (4.4 ft) · Roughest around 4 PM
Low confidence
Low confidence because it is about 96 hours out, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Sunset 6:27 PMDark by 6:53 PMFirst quarter, about 55% lit
Partly sheltered from northwest swell. Noticeable surge at the stairs.
- Waves
- 2.2ft Estimate
- Swell
- 5.8ft WNW · 12 sec
- Wind
- 19kt Cross-shore
- Tide
- 1.3ft
From the CDIP MOP nearshore wave model (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) at about 15 m depth off this site. An estimate, not a measurement at the beach.
Roughest around 10 PM
Low confidence
Low confidence because it is about 102 hours out, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Reduced visibility after dark; access rules still apply.
Sunset 6:27 PMDark by 6:53 PMFirst quarter, about 55% lit
Best entry near high tide: 7:17 AM (3.8 ft). At low tide the entry is a long crawl over shallow rock; near high tide you can float over it.
Mon, Oct 19 · Select a time
Day FairAfter dark FairWhy Fair?
A northwest swell is partly blocked by Point Pinos and Otter Point, so expect noticeable surge at the stairs.
Swells: 5 ft, 12 s WNW · 2 ft, 15 s SSW · 0.9 ft, 18 s S · Wind 17 kt cross-shore
Rated by the most challenging conditions from 7 AM to 8 PM. After dark (8 PM to midnight) is shown as conditions, not as a dive window.
Low confidence because it is about 111 hours out, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Partly sheltered from northwest swell. Noticeable surge at the stairs.
- Waves
- 2.2ft Estimate
- Swell
- 5.2ft WNW · 12 sec
- Wind
- 17kt Cross-shore
- Tide
- 3.9ft
From the CDIP MOP nearshore wave model (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) at about 15 m depth off this site. An estimate, not a measurement at the beach.
High tide 7:44 AM (4 ft) · Roughest around 7 AM
Low confidence
Low confidence because it is about 111 hours out, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Partly sheltered from northwest swell. Noticeable surge at the stairs.
- Waves
- 2.1ft Estimate
- Swell
- 4.9ft WNW · 12 sec
- Wind
- 19kt Cross-shore
- Tide
- 3.2ft
From the CDIP MOP nearshore wave model (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) at about 15 m depth off this site. An estimate, not a measurement at the beach.
Low tide 12:28 PM (3.2 ft) · Roughest around 12 PM
Low confidence
Low confidence because it is about 116 hours out, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Sheltered from most northwest swell. Noticeable surge at the stairs.
- Waves
- 2ft Estimate
- Swell
- 5.9ft WNW · 12 sec
- Wind
- 23kt Cross-shore
- Tide
- 4ft
From the CDIP MOP nearshore wave model (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) at about 15 m depth off this site. An estimate, not a measurement at the beach.
High tide 5:41 PM (4.3 ft) · Roughest around 4 PM
Low confidence
Low confidence because it is about 120 hours out, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Sunset 6:26 PMDark by 6:52 PMFirst quarter, about 65% lit
27 kt cross-shore wind roughs up the surface. Partly sheltered from northwest swell.
- Waves
- 1.9ft Estimate
- Swell
- 4.9ft WNW · 12 sec
- Wind
- 27kt Cross-shore
- Tide
- 2.7ft
From the CDIP MOP nearshore wave model (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) at about 15 m depth off this site. An estimate, not a measurement at the beach.
Roughest around 9 PM
Low confidence
Low confidence because it is about 125 hours out, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Reduced visibility after dark; access rules still apply.
Sunset 6:26 PMDark by 6:52 PMFirst quarter, about 65% lit
Best entry near high tide: 7:44 AM (4 ft). At low tide the entry is a long crawl over shallow rock; near high tide you can float over it.
Tue, Oct 20 · Select a time
Day RoughAfter dark RoughNo wind forecast yet for part of this day; those hours cover swell and tide only.
Why Rough?
A long-period northwest swell is partly sheltered here, so expect strong surge at the stairs.
Swells: 6 ft, 13 s WNW · 2 ft, 15 s SSW
Rated by the most challenging conditions from 7 AM to 8 PM. After dark (8 PM to midnight) is shown as conditions, not as a dive window.
Low confidence because it is about 145 hours out, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Partly sheltered from northwest swell. Small waves, but long-period surge builds at the stairs.
- Waves
- 2ft Estimate
- Swell
- 2.9ft NW · 14 sec
- Wind
- –
- Tide
- 3.3ft
From the CDIP MOP nearshore wave model (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) at about 15 m depth off this site. An estimate, not a measurement at the beach.
High tide 8:05 AM (4.2 ft) · Roughest around 11 AM
Low confidence
Low confidence because it is about 139 hours out, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Partly sheltered from northwest swell. Small waves, but long-period surge builds at the stairs.
- Waves
- 2.6ft Estimate
- Swell
- 5.8ft WNW · 13 sec
- Wind
- –
- Tide
- 3ft
Beyond the CDIP MOP forecast: the offshore wave forecast scaled the way MOP scales it at this site. An estimate, not a measurement at the beach.
Low tide 1:23 PM (2.7 ft) · Roughest around 3 PM
Low confidence
Low confidence because it is about 143 hours out, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Partly sheltered from northwest swell. Small waves, but long-period surge builds at the stairs.
- Waves
- 2.8ft Estimate
- Swell
- 6.2ft WNW · 13 sec
- Wind
- –
- Tide
- 3.9ft
Beyond the CDIP MOP forecast: the offshore wave forecast scaled the way MOP scales it at this site. An estimate, not a measurement at the beach.
High tide 6:47 PM (4.3 ft) · Roughest around 5 PM
Low confidence
Low confidence because it is about 145 hours out, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Sunset 6:25 PMDark by 6:51 PMWaxing gibbous, about 75% lit
Partly sheltered from northwest swell. Strong surge expected at the stairs.
- Waves
- 2.9ft Estimate
- Swell
- 6.6ft WNW · 13 sec
- Wind
- –
- Tide
- 4ft
Beyond the CDIP MOP forecast: the offshore wave forecast scaled the way MOP scales it at this site. An estimate, not a measurement at the beach.
Roughest around 8 PM
Low confidence
Low confidence because it is about 148 hours out, though recent forecasts have matched the buoy well.
Reduced visibility after dark; access rules still apply.
Sunset 6:25 PMDark by 6:51 PMWaxing gibbous, about 75% lit
Best entry near high tide: 8:05 AM (4.2 ft). At low tide the entry is a long crawl over shallow rock; near high tide you can float over it.
Hourly outlook 7 days · tap any hourhold and drag the chart
After darkOvernight
Tap any hour for details.
Entry & parking
Shore entry
Entry: Stone stairs at Sea Palm Avenue down to a small sand beach, then a surface swim over eelgrass to the kelp. Easier near high tide.
Parking: The turnout at Sea Palm Avenue, or along Ocean View Blvd (check the posted time limits). No facilities.
Access: No permit needed. Pacific Grove Marine Gardens conservation area: finfish only. The Lovers Point end borders a no-take reserve. Use the stairs, not the bluff.
Directions to the entryDirections to parking
Entry hazards
Shallow rock at low tide, and near-shore surge that stirs up the sand. Sea otters are common: give them room.
Live cams & observations
Recent offshore observations · Buoy 46236
- Wave height
- 4.3ft
- Period
- 13s
- Water
- 64°F
Live cams
Randall Spangler's conditions guide · Monterey County Dive Reports
About this dive site
The diving
About 25 to 35 ft in the kelp over boulders and small pinnacles; sand to 40 to 50 ft past the outer edge.
Conditions & exposure
The cove faces northeast into the bay. Point Pinos and Otter Point block west and northwest swell, so only a narrow slice from about 317 to 326 degrees comes straight in; bigger northwest swell wraps around the points.
Hazards & considerations
Beginner friendly on calm days; one of the more protected entries on this stretch.
Advanced forecast & data
This site's forecast combines offshore wave data, predicted ocean conditions, and Otter Cove's exposure to incoming swell.
Show the data and method
Buoy 46236, Monterey Canyon Outer: last 48 hours
Swell trains now (buoy 46236 spectrum, 3:00 PM): 3 ft at 14 s from 284° (WNW) · wind waves 3 ft at 7 s. The rating still uses the buoy's single swell and wind-wave split; the full spectrum is being compared against it.
Forecast vs. buoy 46236
The raw GFS-Wave forecast is running about 0.7 ft low at buoy 46236 today (last 24 hours). The SurgeCast forecast corrects for it.
Wave height
Peak period
Buoy (measured)SurgeCast forecast (corrected)GFS-Wave (raw)Last 3 days and next 2
For comparison, the NWS marine grid ran 0.1 ft low over the same 24 hours. Low means the forecast was smaller than what the buoy measured; high means bigger.
Download the forecast-vs-buoy data (CSV) · NOAA's own spot-check (a handful of NOAA forecasts against this buoy; heights in meters; posted Tue, Oct 13)
Forecast check: The wave model is scaled by 1.12 at the Monterey Canyon Outer buoy (a starting estimate until 7 days of readings are logged). After that, over the last 36 hours the forecast has matched the Monterey Canyon Outer buoy well (69 readings compared).
Validation: Validation in progress: 69 forecast-and-buoy pairs so far since Tue, Oct 13. Accuracy numbers appear here once there are 100 pairs over at least 3 days.
Buoy split now: swell 3 ft at 13.3 s from the WNW, 41% reaches this site; wind waves 3 ft at 6.7 s from the WNW, 40% reaches this site.
View official NOAA forecast chart
The chart did not load.
Red dots: the buoy. Blue: the latest NWPS forecast; black and light blue: earlier runs. Green: the global GFS-Wave model. Times are UTC (subtract 7 hours for Pacific daylight time). View the full forecast at NOAA
Forecast models
Waves from the NOAA GFS-Wave (WAVEWATCH III) model, run 18Z Wed, Oct 14 at buoy 46236, corrected against what that buoy has measured (systematic factor 1.12, seeded until 7 days of data are logged). The rating uses each hour's waves, wind and tide. Wind and air temperature come from the NWS forecast for the water off Otter Cove, issued Wed, Oct 14, 1:26 PM PDT.
NWS marine forecast: Monterey Bay
Tonight: W wind around 5 kt, veering to NE late this evening and early morning, then becoming NE 5 to 10 kt late. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: NW 3 ft at 8 seconds and SW 2 ft at 15 seconds.
Thu: NE wind 5 to 10 kt, backing to NW in the afternoon. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 7 seconds and SW 2 ft at 15 seconds.
Thu Night: NE wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: NW 2 ft at 7 seconds and SW 2 ft at 15 seconds.
Fri: NE wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming NW in the afternoon. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 11 seconds.
Issued Wed, Oct 14, 2:38 PM PDT
View official NOAA swell-systems chart
The chart did not load.
Each color is one swell system; arrow length shows its size. A band at 15 s and up means long-period swell and surge. Times are UTC. View the full forecast at NOAA
Rating logic
- Surge
- The rating turns each swell into a "surge index" in feet: the height that reaches this site, weighted up for longer periods because long swell moves the water harder near the bottom. Here the index moves from Great to Good at 1.3, Fair at 2.1, Rough at 3.2 and Severe at 5 ft. Right now it is 1.7 ft.
- Direction
- The cove faces northeast into the bay. Point Pinos and Otter Point block west and northwest swell, so only a narrow slice from about 317 to 326 degrees comes straight in; bigger northwest swell wraps around the points.
- Wind
- Onshore wind here blows from the NE. Onshore wind over about 10 kt chops up entries and surface swims; a strong offshore wind (over 15 kt) pushes surface swimmers out. Gusts count for half.
- Tide
- Heights at the Monterey tide station, in feet above mean lower low water. The entry is easiest between 0 and 6 ft; tide only nudges the rating.
- Trend and confidence
- The trend compares the last 9 hours at the buoy with the next 12 hours of forecast; a building long-period swell can push a borderline day one step worse. Confidence is High for a fresh buoy reading or a forecast for the next 12 hours, and drops with lead time, a backup buoy, or a forecast that has been missing the buoy.
- Limits
- A model, not a guarantee. Back-tested on 137 dated diver reports, it matched the reported level 72% of the time and was within one level 96% of the time (tuned on those same reports, so expect a little less). Always look before you go in.
Sources
- NDBC buoy 46240 (Cabrillo Point) Off Lovers Point. Silent since 2026-04-30; it is used again automatically if it returns.
- NDBC buoy 46236 (Monterey Canyon Outer) At the mouth of the bay; it usually reads 2 to 3 ft higher than the beaches, which the rating accounts for.
- NDBC buoy 46239 (Point Sur)
- CDIP station 158 (buoy 46240)
- CDIP station 156 (buoy 46236)
- NWPS viewer, Monterey office
- NWS point forecast
- NOAA tide predictions, Monterey
- Photo and font credits