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Map of Leo Carrillo State Beach
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Shore entry

Leo Carrillo State Beach

California, United StatesDirections
Open Water suggested5–15 m (15–50 ft) depthShore entry3mm wetsuit typical

Leo Carrillo State Beach at a glance

Leo Carrillo State Beach is a shore dive site in California, United States with depths of 4.6–15.2 m (15–50 ft). Typically most favorable Jun–Aug · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Garibaldi, California spiny lobster, and Swell shark. Recent reports put the water around 23°C (73°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Next window today· 8:00–19:00 · favorable & moderate · sunset 18:08

Forecast for this hour · 3:00 · run 4 h ago
0.7 m (2.4 ft)waves — under a meter expected (waves — about two feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 23°C · seasonal avg 19°C ( · Forecast 73°F · seasonal avg 66°F)

Site hazards: Open-coast surf and surge, thick kelp canopy (entanglement awareness), rocky shallows near the points

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Mon8:00–13:00 favorable, 13:00–19:00 moderate

0.9 m waves · 14 kn wind (2.8 ft waves · 14 kn wind)

Tue8:00–14:00 moderate, 14:00–19:00 favorable

0.9 m waves · 7 kn wind (3.1 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

Wed8:00–11:00 favorable, 11:00–12:00 moderate, 12:00–19:00 favorable

0.9 m waves · 6 kn wind (2.8 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

Thu8:00–19:00 moderate

0.8 m waves · 5 kn wind (2.6 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Fri8:00–19:00 moderate

0.8 m waves · 5 kn wind (2.6 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Sat8:00–19:00 moderate

0.8 m waves · 5 kn wind (2.8 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

SunNot in the forecast yet

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wave and wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 6:44 · Sunrise 7:10 · Sunset 18:08 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 11 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 22:26 GMT-7

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Leo Carrillo State Beach

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

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Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Garibaldi, California spiny lobster, Two-spot octopus
Best time: Fall, on small-swell mornings; west swell makes it undiveable

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. January, 80% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (58°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.9 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  2. February, 73% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 14°C (58°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.3 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  3. March, 72% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 14°C (57°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.1 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  4. April, 90% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 14°C (58°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.4 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots
  5. May, 98% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 16°C (61°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.2 ft), wind has typically been 8 knots
  6. June, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 18°C (65°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.0 ft), wind has typically been 8 knots, historically most favorable
  7. July, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 20°C (68°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (2.8 ft), wind has typically been 8 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 21°C (70°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (2.9 ft), wind has typically been 8 knots, historically most favorable
  9. September, 99% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 21°C (70°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (2.9 ft), wind has typically been 8 knots
  10. October, 95% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 19°C (66°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.1 ft), wind has typically been 8 knots
  11. November, 94% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 17°C (63°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.2 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots
  12. December, 88% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 16°C (61°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.5 ft), wind has typically been 8 knots

June, July, and August have typically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km (16 mi). Know one? Add it to the map.

Data updated July 2026

Site details

Malibu's premier beach dive at the western end of Los Angeles County, with an unusually large kelp forest starting in under 15 ft and substantial reefs, mini-walls and pinnacles extending to about 50 ft. The classic entry is the small cove near lifeguard tower 2, with kelp-covered reef close by on both sides. The reefs are known for an abundance of large octopuses.

reefshore

Open-coast surf and surge, thick kelp canopy (entanglement awareness), rocky shallows near the points

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