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Shore entry

Otter Cove

California, United StatesDirections
Open Water suggested3–18 m (10–60 ft) depthShore entry5mm wetsuit typical

Otter Cove at a glance

Otter Cove is a shore dive site in California, United States with depths of 3–18.3 m (10–60 ft). Typically most favorable Aug · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Harbor seal, Nudibranchs (various), and Sea otter. Recent reports put the water around 19°C (66°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Favorable window now· until 14:00, then moderate until 18:00

Forecast for this hour · 9:00 · run 10 h ago
1.0 m (3.3 ft)waves — about a meter expected (waves — about three feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 19°C · seasonal avg 16°C ( · Forecast 66°F · seasonal avg 60°F)

Site hazards: At low tide up to 30 yards of shallow or exposed rocks must be crossed; surge when swell wraps in from the wrong direction; thick kelp in summer

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Lightest wind: Sat
Mon8:00–14:00 favorable, 14:00–18:00 moderate

1.2 m waves · 6 kn wind (3.9 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

Tue8:00–11:00 moderate

1.7 m waves · 7 kn wind (5.4 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

WedNo window

1.7 m waves · 5 kn wind (5.5 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Thu8:00–19:00 moderate

1.6 m waves · 5 kn wind (5.2 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Fri8:00–17:00 moderate

1.5 m waves · 5 kn wind (5.0 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Sat8:00–16:00 favorable, 16:00–19:00 moderate

1.3 m waves · 2 kn wind (4.1 ft waves · 2 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 6:59 · Sunrise 7:25 · Sunset 18:17 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 4.2 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 22:23 GMT-7

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Otter Cove

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.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Harbor seal, Nudibranchs (various), Sea otter
Best time: High tide on small-swell days; winter often calmest per local forecasts

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, 8% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 13°C (56°F), waves have typically been 3.0 m (9.9 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots
  2. February, 1% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 13°C (55°F), waves have typically been 3.2 m (10.5 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots
  3. March, 4% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 12°C (54°F), waves have typically been 3.0 m (9.9 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  4. April, 19% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 12°C (54°F), waves have typically been 2.3 m (7.7 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  5. May, 14% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 12°C (54°F), waves have typically been 2.3 m (7.5 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  6. June, 18% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 13°C (56°F), waves have typically been 2.1 m (6.9 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  7. July, 56% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 14°C (57°F), waves have typically been 1.6 m (5.4 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots
  8. August, 71% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 14°C (58°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (5.1 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots, historically most favorable
  9. September, 38% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 16°C (61°F), waves have typically been 1.9 m (6.1 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots
  10. October, 22% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 16°C (60°F), waves have typically been 2.3 m (7.6 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots
  11. November, 12% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 14°C (57°F), waves have typically been 2.7 m (8.9 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  12. December, 9% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 14°C (58°F), waves have typically been 2.8 m (9.3 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots

August has 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

Facts from OpenStreetMap, corrected by the community — listed by distance only. Details change; confirm with the shop.

  • Bamboo Reef Scuba Diving Centers2.4 km (1.5 mi)

    Mo-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa-Su 07:00-18:00 hours from OpenStreetMap — call ahead

    Report a fix

  • Monterey Bay Scuba3.2 km (2 mi)

    Report a fix

Shop facts come from OpenStreetMap and community corrections, shown nearest first. PickADive lists facts and contacts only — no listing is sponsored or ranked.

Data updated July 2026

Site details

A quiet cove on Ocean View Boulevard about a quarter mile up the coast from Lovers Point in Pacific Grove, named for the sea otters that frequent its kelp beds. A broad shallow shelf of kelp- and coralline-covered rock in 10-15 feet extends offshore before the bottom slopes gradually to around 60 feet. Far less crowded than the Monterey classics, but the rocky shallows make it a high-tide dive.

reefshore

At low tide up to 30 yards of shallow or exposed rocks must be crossed; surge when swell wraps in from the wrong direction; thick kelp in summer

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