Dive Conditions

MontereyMcAbee Beach

McAbee Beach

Monterey (Cannery Row), Monterey Bay, California

Directions to the entryParking

Mediocre→ steady

Moderate WNW wind swell, partly blocked by the Monterey Peninsula: expect some surge on the small beach.

High confidence

High confidence: Based on a buoy reading 58 min ago; the forecast has been matching the buoy closely.

Buoy 46236 reading 11:30 AM (1 h ago)Forecast issued Tue, Oct 13, 11:27 AM PDT

McAbee Beach on a sunny day, seen from the top of the steps
The beach below the steps. Photo: Fastily, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Right now

Mediocre: 4 ft of wind swell at 9 s from the WNW (Monterey Canyon buoy), partly blocked here by the Monterey Peninsula; plus 3 ft at 14 s from the W; 7 kt cross-shore wind.

Waves here
2.9ft
estimated
Buoy swell
3.9ft
buoy 46236
Period
9s
From
WNW
293°
Wind
7kt
cross-shore
Tide
5.5ftfalling
Next low 7:26 PM (0.1 ft)Next high 2:20 AM (3.8 ft)
Water
63°F
buoy 46236
Air
60°F

"Waves here" is estimated from the buoy and this site's exposure; the buoys are offshore. Wind and air are the NWS forecast for this hour.

When should I dive?

Today

Mediocre→ steady

Now and the rest of today's daylight, roughest hour shown. Rated at 12:27 PM.

Mediocre: 4 ft of wind swell at 9 s from the WNW (Monterey Canyon buoy), partly blocked here by the Monterey Peninsula; plus 3 ft at 14 s from the W; 7 kt cross-shore wind.

High confidence

High confidence: Based on a buoy reading 1 h ago; the forecast has been matching the buoy closely.

Waves here
2.9ft
Buoy swell
3.9ft
Period
9s
Wind
7ktcross-shore
Morning–passed
MiddayMediocre2.9 ft · 7 ktHigh 12:02 PM
AfternoonMediocre2.4 ft · 13 kt
High 1:18 AM 4 ftLow 5:55 AM 2.7 ftHigh 12:02 PM 5.5 ftLow 7:26 PM 0.1 ft

Wed, Oct 14

Good→ steadyBest day this week

7 to 11 AM dive window, roughest hour shown. Rated at 7:00 AM.

Good: 2 ft at 14 s from the W (Monterey Canyon buoy), partly blocked here by the Monterey Peninsula, long period so the surge runs deep; plus 2 ft at 6 s from the WNW; plus 2 ft at 16 s from the SSW; 6 kt onshore wind; the forecast's 14 s period disagrees with the buoy's 9 s, so Low confidence.

Low confidence

Low confidence: A forecast about 19 hours ahead; the forecast has been matching the buoy closely.

Waves here
2.2ft
Buoy swell
2.4ft
Period
14s
Wind
6ktonshore
MorningGood2.2 ft · 6 kt
MiddayGood2.1 ft · 5 ktHigh 12:33 PM
AfternoonGood2.1 ft · 10 kt
High 2:20 AM 3.8 ftLow 6:24 AM 3 ftHigh 12:33 PM 5.3 ftLow 8:15 PM 0.3 ft

Thu, Oct 15

Good→ steady

7 to 11 AM dive window, roughest hour shown. Rated at 7:00 AM.

Good: 2 ft at 15 s from the S (Monterey Canyon buoy), partly blocked here by the Monterey Peninsula, long period so the surge runs deep; plus 2 ft at 13 s from the WNW; plus 2 ft at 6 s from the NW; 8 kt onshore wind; more than 24 hours out while the wave model is still being calibrated, so Low confidence.

Low confidence

Low confidence: A forecast about 43 hours ahead; the forecast has been matching the buoy closely.

Waves here
1.9ft
Buoy swell
2.2ft
Period
15s
Wind
8ktonshore
MorningGood1.9 ft · 8 kt
MiddayGood1.9 ft · 9 ktHigh 1:10 PM
AfternoonGood2 ft · 9 kt
High 3:37 AM 3.6 ftLow 6:55 AM 3.3 ftHigh 1:10 PM 5.1 ftLow 9:11 PM 0.4 ft

Fri, Oct 16

Good→ steady

7 to 11 AM dive window, roughest hour shown. Rated at 7:00 AM.

Good: 2 ft at 12 s from the WNW (Monterey Canyon buoy), partly blocked here by the Monterey Peninsula; plus 2 ft at 15 s from the SSW; 8 kt onshore wind; Low confidence.

Low confidence

Low confidence: A forecast about 67 hours ahead; the forecast has been matching the buoy closely.

Waves here
1.8ft
Buoy swell
2.4ft
Period
12s
Wind
8ktonshore
MorningGood1.8 ft · 8 ktLow 7:37 AM
MiddayGood1.7 ft · 4 ktHigh 1:58 PM
AfternoonGood1.8 ft · 8 kt
High 5:10 AM 3.6 ftLow 7:37 AM 3.5 ftHigh 1:58 PM 4.8 ftLow 10:14 PM 0.6 ft

Sat, Oct 17

Good↑ swell building, peaking around 9 pm Sat

7 to 11 AM dive window, roughest hour shown. Rated at 9:00 AM.

Good: 2 ft at 7 s from the WNW (Monterey Canyon buoy), partly blocked here by the Monterey Peninsula; plus 2 ft at 14 s from the SSW; plus 1 ft at 13 s from the WNW; plus 1 ft at 19 s from the SSW; plus 1 ft at 11 s from the WNW; light wind; swell building, peaking around 9 pm Sat; Low confidence.

Low confidence

Low confidence: A forecast about 93 hours ahead; the forecast has been matching the buoy closely.

Waves here
2ft
Buoy swell
2.3ft
Period
7s
Wind
5ktlight
MorningGood2 ft · 5 ktLow 9:03 AM
MiddayGood2.3 ft · 10 kt
AfternoonGood2.8 ft · 10 ktHigh 3:04 PM
High 6:33 AM 3.7 ftLow 9:03 AM 3.6 ftHigh 3:04 PM 4.5 ftLow 11:18 PM 0.6 ft

Next five days, hour by hour

Rating
Tue 1:00 PM to Tue 6:00 PM: Mediocre; up to 2.9 ft here, 15 s, wind up to 14 ktTue 6:00 PM to Tue 11:00 PM: Good; up to 3.1 ft here, 15 s, wind up to 15 ktTue 11:00 PM to Wed 1:00 AM: Mediocre; up to 2.5 ft here, 14 s, wind up to 8 ktWed 1:00 AM to Sat 9:00 PM: Good; up to 2.8 ft here, 15 s, wind up to 10 ktLow tide Tue 7:26 PM, 0.1 ftHigh tide Wed 2:20 AM, 3.8 ftLow tide Wed 6:24 AM, 3 ftHigh tide Wed 12:33 PM, 5.3 ftLow tide Wed 8:15 PM, 0.3 ftHigh tide Thu 3:37 AM, 3.6 ftLow tide Thu 6:55 AM, 3.3 ftHigh tide Thu 1:10 PM, 5.1 ftLow tide Thu 9:11 PM, 0.4 ftHigh tide Fri 5:10 AM, 3.6 ftLow tide Fri 7:37 AM, 3.5 ftHigh tide Fri 1:58 PM, 4.8 ftLow tide Fri 10:14 PM, 0.6 ftHigh tide Sat 6:33 AM, 3.7 ftLow tide Sat 9:03 AM, 3.6 ftHigh tide Sat 3:04 PM, 4.5 ftNowTodayWedThuFriSatTue 1:00 PM to Tue 6:00 PM: Mediocre; up to 2.9 ft here, 15 s, wind up to 14 ktTue 6:00 PM to Tue 11:00 PM: Good; up to 3.1 ft here, 15 s, wind up to 15 ktTue 11:00 PM to Wed 1:00 AM: Mediocre; up to 2.5 ft here, 14 s, wind up to 8 ktWed 1:00 AM to Sat 9:00 PM: Good; up to 2.8 ft here, 15 s, wind up to 10 ktLow tide Tue 7:26 PM, 0.1 ftHigh tide Wed 2:20 AM, 3.8 ftLow tide Wed 6:24 AM, 3 ftHigh tide Wed 12:33 PM, 5.3 ftLow tide Wed 8:15 PM, 0.3 ftHigh tide Thu 3:37 AM, 3.6 ftLow tide Thu 6:55 AM, 3.3 ftHigh tide Thu 1:10 PM, 5.1 ftLow tide Thu 9:11 PM, 0.4 ftHigh tide Fri 5:10 AM, 3.6 ftLow tide Fri 7:37 AM, 3.5 ftHigh tide Fri 1:58 PM, 4.8 ftLow tide Fri 10:14 PM, 0.6 ftHigh tide Sat 6:33 AM, 3.7 ftLow tide Sat 9:03 AM, 3.6 ftHigh tide Sat 3:04 PM, 4.5 ftNowTodayWedThuFriSat

Tap a stretch of the ribbon for its times and numbers.

Waves here (ft)
0 ft2 ft4 ftTodayWedThuFriSat0 ft2 ft4 ftTodayWedThuFriSat
Period (s)
0 s8.5 s17 sTodayWedThuFriSat0 s8.5 s17 sTodayWedThuFriSat
Wind (kt)
0 kt8.5 kt17 ktTodayWedThuFriSat0 kt8.5 kt17 ktTodayWedThuFriSat
Tide (ft)
0 ft3 ft6 ftLow Tue 7:26 PM, 0.1 ftHigh Wed 2:20 AM, 3.8 ft2:20amLow Wed 6:24 AM, 3 ftHigh Wed 12:33 PM, 5.3 ft12:33pmLow Wed 8:15 PM, 0.3 ftHigh Thu 3:37 AM, 3.6 ft3:37amLow Thu 6:55 AM, 3.3 ftHigh Thu 1:10 PM, 5.1 ft1:10pmLow Thu 9:11 PM, 0.4 ftHigh Fri 5:10 AM, 3.6 ft5:10amLow Fri 7:37 AM, 3.5 ftHigh Fri 1:58 PM, 4.8 ft1:58pmLow Fri 10:14 PM, 0.6 ftHigh Sat 6:33 AM, 3.7 ft6:33amLow Sat 9:03 AM, 3.6 ftHigh Sat 3:04 PM, 4.5 ft3:04pmTodayWedThuFriSat0 ft3 ft6 ftLow Tue 7:26 PM, 0.1 ft7:26pmHigh Wed 2:20 AM, 3.8 ft2:20amLow Wed 6:24 AM, 3 ft6:24amHigh Wed 12:33 PM, 5.3 ft12:33pmLow Wed 8:15 PM, 0.3 ft8:15pmHigh Thu 3:37 AM, 3.6 ft3:37amLow Thu 6:55 AM, 3.3 ft6:55amHigh Thu 1:10 PM, 5.1 ft1:10pmLow Thu 9:11 PM, 0.4 ft9:11pmHigh Fri 5:10 AM, 3.6 ft5:10amLow Fri 7:37 AM, 3.5 ft7:37amHigh Fri 1:58 PM, 4.8 ft1:58pmLow Fri 10:14 PM, 0.6 ft10:14pmHigh Sat 6:33 AM, 3.7 ft6:33amLow Sat 9:03 AM, 3.6 ft9:03amHigh Sat 3:04 PM, 4.5 ft3:04pmTodayWedThuFriSat

Shaded = night. Waves from the NOAA GFS-Wave (WAVEWATCH III) model 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.

Getting in

Steps down from Steinbeck Plaza (the Cannery Row Monument) to a small sandy beach. Easy entry onto sand, then out to the kelp.

Directions to the entryParking

Aerial view of McAbee Beach steps (Steinbeck Plaza) with the entry and parking marked
McAbee Beach steps (Steinbeck Plaza). Imagery: USGS/USDA NAIP, public domain.

Red pin: entry. Yellow pin: parking. Points checked against OpenStreetMap and aerial imagery; look the spot over when you arrive.

Live conditions

Monterey Bay Aquarium bay camLooks out over the bay from Cannery Row.Fish Hopper camLooks at McAbee Beach; a good view of waves breaking on shore.Adventures By The Sea ocean camPans from San Carlos Beach to the harbor. Boat masts rocking hard in the harbor means surge.

Each cam opens on its owner's site.

Recent buoy readings buoy 46236, Monterey Canyon Outer

TimeWavesPeriodFromWater
11:30 AM 1 h ago4.6 ft9 sWNW63°F
11:00 AM 2 h ago4.6 ft15 sW63°F
10:30 AM 2 h ago4.3 ft14 sW62°F
10:00 AM 3 h ago4.3 ft14 sW62°F
9:30 AM 3 h ago4.6 ft14 sW62°F
9:00 AM 4 h ago4.9 ft15 sW62°F
8:30 AM 4 h ago4.6 ft15 sW62°F
8:00 AM 5 h ago4.6 ft15 sW62°F

Randall Spangler's conditions guide · Monterey County Dive Reports

Dive-site information

Access
No permit needed.
Parking
Metered street parking and paid garages on Cannery Row.
Hazards
Swell that wraps into the bay breaks on this small beach; watch a few sets before you go in.
Skill
Easy entry on calm days; watch the shore break when swell wraps in. Advisory only, not a safety guarantee; always judge conditions yourself.
Site
Shallow sand and rock out to the kelp. Like the Breakwater, but slightly more open: direct swell only from about 307 to 343 degrees, with the peninsula blocking the west and south.

Advanced forecast and methodology

Buoy

Forecast check: Over the last 36 hours the forecast has matched the Monterey Canyon Outer buoy well (14 readings compared).

Buoy split now: swell 3 ft at 14.3 s from the W, 57% reaches this site; wind waves 3.9 ft at 9.1 s from the WNW, 59% reaches this site.

NWPS forecast vs buoy 46236Updated Tue, Oct 13, 3:52 AM PDT
NWPS forecast vs buoy 46236

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

30-day forecast accuracy chart · Our forecast-vs-buoy log (JSON)

Forecast models

Waves from the NOAA GFS-Wave (WAVEWATCH III) model at buoy 46236, corrected against what that buoy has measured (systematic factor 1.12, seeded until 7 days of data are logged). Wind and air temperature come from the NWS forecast for the water off McAbee Beach, issued Tue, Oct 13, 11:27 AM PDT.

NWS marine forecast: Monterey Bay

Today: NE wind around 5 kt, backing to W early this afternoon, rising to 10 to 15 kt late. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: NW 3 ft at 9 seconds and SW 2 ft at 17 seconds.

Tonight: N wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming NE 5 to 10 kt after midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 8 seconds and SW 2 ft at 16 seconds.

Wed: NE wind 5 to 10 kt, backing to W in the afternoon. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: NW 3 ft at 8 seconds and SW 2 ft at 16 seconds.

Wed Night: NW wind 5 to 10 kt, veering to NE after midnight. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: NW 3 ft at 8 seconds and SW 2 ft at 15 seconds.

Issued Tue, Oct 13, 8:30 AM PDT

Swell systems at buoy 46236Updated Tue, Oct 13, 12:00 AM PDT
Swell systems at buoy 46236

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 2, Mediocre at 3.3, Rough at 4.6 and Stay home at 6.5 ft. Right now it is 3 ft.
Direction
Like the Breakwater, but slightly more open: direct swell only from about 307 to 343 degrees, with the peninsula blocking the west and south.
Wind
Onshore wind here blows from the NNE. 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 -0.5 and 6 ft; tide only nudges the rating.
Trend and confidence
The arrow 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: it does not know visibility, local sandbars or what the surf did five minutes ago. Back-tested against dive reports, it matched about 80% exactly and 91% within one level. Always look before you go in.

Sources