71°
Mostly Cloudy
4%
65
Monterey County, CA · Pacific Ocean
Carmel Beach
Ocean Ave at Scenic Rd, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93923
A wide crescent of fine white sand at the foot of Ocean Avenue in Carmel-by-the-Sea — backed by cypress trees and the village. Dramatic Monterey Pines, harbor seals on the southern rocks, and one of the West Coast's great sunset beaches. Off-leash dogs are a Carmel cultural fixture.
Today's Conditions
Great day for photography.
59°F water
Full NWS forecast for Today
Mostly cloudy. High near 71, with temperatures falling to around 67 in the afternoon. West northwest wind 2 to 6 mph.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. North northwest wind around 2 mph.
Weather
- 71°F air — cool but workable
- Cloud cover — overcast reduces uv exposure but the vibe too
Water
- 59°F water — cold — wetsuit or stay dry
- 4.3ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
Safety
- UV 10 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
70 /100
great
35 Swim
64 Sunbathe
78 Walk
84 Photo
Best for photography today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
71°F
Clear
Wind
2 to 6 mph
WNW
Rain
4%
Today
UV Peak
10 Very High
High 11 AM–04 PM · burn in ~20m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
74°F
Partly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
59°F
Cold
Next High Tide
9:01 PM
6.9 ft · in 5.8h
Wave Height
4.3 ft
15s · SSW swell
Barometer
29.94 inHg
1014 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
10 MPN/100mL · Total Coliform
USGS · sampled 7mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
8:58 AM
Sunset
11:27 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:55 AM | Low | -1.3 ft |
| 10:51 AM | High | 3.7 ft |
| 2:35 PM | Low | 2.8 ft |
| 9:01 PM | High | 6.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:43 AM | Low | -1.6 ft |
| 11:36 AM | High | 3.9 ft |
| 3:36 PM | Low | 2.7 ft |
| 9:54 PM | High | 7.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:29 AM | Low | -1.7 ft |
| 12:18 PM | High | 4.0 ft |
| 4:36 PM | Low | 2.6 ft |
| 10:45 PM | High | 6.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:14 AM | Low | -1.6 ft |
| 12:59 PM | High | 4.2 ft |
| 5:36 PM | Low | 2.4 ft |
| 11:37 PM | High | 6.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:56 AM | Low | -1.3 ft |
| 1:40 PM | High | 4.4 ft |
| 6:37 PM | Low | 2.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:29 AM | High | 5.9 ft |
| 7:37 AM | Low | -0.8 ft |
| 2:21 PM | High | 4.6 ft |
| 7:41 PM | Low | 2.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:23 AM | High | 5.2 ft |
| 8:17 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 3:03 PM | High | 4.8 ft |
| 8:50 PM | Low | 2.0 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 9413450, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
74°
Partly Sunny
3%
75
74°
Mostly Sunny
0%
75
72°
Mostly Sunny
0%
69
65°
Mostly Sunny
0%
60
66°
Partly Sunny
6%
64
67°
Patchy Fog then Mostly Cloudy
6%
58
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
- critical Wetsuit (if swimming at all) Water is 59°F — dangerously cold
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Free street parking in the village; lots up the Ocean Avenue hill.
Dogs
Dogs allowed off-leash year-round — one of the few off-leash beaches on the California coast.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
Ocean Ave at Scenic Rd, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93923
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Carmel Beach today?
Carmel Beach shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Carmel Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs allowed off-leash year-round — one of the few off-leash beaches on the California coast.
Is there an entry fee at Carmel Beach?
Entry to Carmel Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Carmel Beach?
No lifeguards are stationed at Carmel Beach. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Carmel Beach?
Amenities at Carmel Beach include restrooms (at the top of Ocean Ave), restaurants in village, no formal facilities.
When is the water warmest at Carmel Beach?
The Pacific is cold. Southern California (San Diego to Santa Barbara) peaks in August at 65-72°F. Central and Northern California stay in the upper 50s to low 60s year-round. Oregon and Washington rarely exceed 60°F. Wetsuits are common.
Where is Carmel Beach located?
Carmel Beach is in Monterey County, CA, at Ocean Ave at Scenic Rd, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93923.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS