Bay Area & Monterey Water Report: Week of October 17, 2026

Short version: here's how the water off Bay Area & Monterey was setting up this week, from a satellite composite a few days old and the latest NOAA buoy readings. It's a general read, not a forecast. Water moves every day, so check the live chart before you run.

The water this week

• Satellite range: most of the area read about 60 to 66°F, with a middle of about 63°F.
• Warmest water: The biggest patch of 66°F-plus water is centered about 20 nm SW of Monterey.
• Sharpest break: The sharpest edge we can see runs about 40 nm W of Pacifica: roughly 62°F to 65°F inside about 3 nm.

Satellite and in water readings can differ, and edges move with wind and current, so confirm on the day you go.

Buoys right now

Right now, 7 NOAA buoys in the area read 60 to 67°F.

• Half Moon Bay (NDBC 46012): 65°F
• Cape San Martin (NDBC 46028): 64°F
• Monterey (NDBC 46042): 66°F

All the buoys, with wind and waves, are on our free Bay Area & Monterey water temps page.

What to look for

Find the temperature edge closest to your range, then check whether a color change and some structure line up with it. Our guide to reading a temperature break walks through it, and the Bay Area & Monterey chart guide covers the local structure.

Not for navigation.