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Map of Leo Carrillo State Beach
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Shore entry

Leo Carrillo State Beach

California, United States
Open Water suggested5–15 m 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 Two-spot octopus, Garibaldi, and California sheephead. Recent reports put the water around 22°C (72°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 3h ago
1.0 mwaves — about a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 22°C · seasonal avg 20°C

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

Best: Sun
Sun7:00–21:00
Mon7:00–21:00
Tue7:00–17:00
Wed—
Thu—
Fri—
Sat—

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:35 · Sunrise 6:03 · Sunset 20:01

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 11 km from site · graded 3h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

Loading tide predictions

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.

What Divers Say

Known for: Two-spot octopus, Garibaldi, California sheephead
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. Jan80%15°C1.2 m
  2. Feb73%14°C1.3 m
  3. Mar72%14°C1.3 m
  4. Apr90%14°C1.0 m
  5. May98%16°C1.0 m
  6. Jun100%18°C0.9 m
  7. Jul100%20°C0.9 m
  8. Aug100%21°C0.9 m
  9. Sep99%21°C0.9 m
  10. Oct95%19°C1.0 m
  11. Nov94%17°C1.0 m
  12. Dec88%16°C1.1 m

June, July, and August havetypically 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

  • Two-spot octopusCommonly seen
  • GaribaldiCommonly seen
  • California sheepheadCommonly seen
  • Black perchCommonly seen
  • Painted greenlingCommonly seen
  • Giant kelpCommonly seen
  • California spiny lobsterCommonly seen
  • Swell sharkOccasionally seen

Fills & rentals nearby

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

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

Reviews

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