Skip to content
Map of Santa Monica Bay Center
Add the first photo
IntermediateBoat entry

Santa Monica Bay Center

California, United States
Open Water suggested13–22 m (42–72 ft) depthBoat entry3mm wetsuit typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Santa Monica Bay Center at a glance

Santa Monica Bay Center is an intermediate boat dive site in California, United States with depths of 12.8–21.9 m (42–72 ft). Typically most favorable May–Aug · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see California spiny lobster, California scorpionfish (sculpin), and California halibut. Recent reports put the water around 22°C (72°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

No window today· next: tomorrow 8:00–19:00 · favorable

Forecast for this hour · 22:00 · run under 1 h ago
0.9 m (2.9 ft)waves — under a meter expected (waves — about three feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 22°C · seasonal avg 19°C ( · Forecast 72°F · seasonal avg 66°F)

Dive windows this week

MonNo window

0.7 m waves · 6 kn wind (2.4 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

Tue8:00–19:00 favorable

0.8 m waves · 6 kn wind (2.6 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

Wed8:00–19:00 favorable

0.8 m waves · 5 kn wind (2.5 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Thu8:00–19:00 favorable

0.7 m waves · 6 kn wind (2.4 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

Fri8:00–19:00 favorable

0.8 m waves · 6 kn wind (2.5 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

Sat8:00–19:00 favorable

0.8 m waves · 4 kn wind (2.7 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

Sun8:00–19:00 favorable

0.8 m waves · 4 kn wind (2.7 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

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 6:43 · Sunrise 7:08 · Sunset 18:07 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 6.1 km from site · updated 26 Oct, 22:21 GMT-7

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Santa Monica Bay Center

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

Best time: Per CDFW: lobster diving is productive on the shallow rock piles early in lobster season and on the deeper piles in January-February; sand bass are present year-round and best in early and late fall.

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 (4.1 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  3. March, 78% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 14°C (58°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.9 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  4. April, 91% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (59°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.2 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  5. May, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 17°C (63°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.0 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots, historically most favorable
  6. June, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 19°C (66°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.7 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots, historically most favorable
  7. July, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 21°C (69°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.6 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 22°C (71°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.6 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots, historically most favorable
  9. September, 99% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 21°C (71°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.6 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  10. October, 98% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 19°C (66°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (2.9 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots
  11. November, 96% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 17°C (63°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (2.9 ft), wind has typically been 8 knots
  12. December, 89% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 16°C (61°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.3 ft), wind has typically been 7 knots

May, 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

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

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 June 2026

Site details

Artificial reef built from Quarry Rock

reef

No hazards recorded for this site yet — that never means there are none. Ask a local operator before you dive.

Reviews

No reviews yet — this site is waiting for its first. Dived here? Your rating and a few lines help the next diver.

Spot something off?

Help keep this listing accurate for the next diver.