Tide Forecast for Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay

Q: What time is high tide at Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay today?

Check the tide table above for today's high tide times at Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay. High tides occur when the water level reaches its maximum height. We provide exact times and heights for all high tides throughout the day.

Q: What time is low tide at Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay today?

Today's low tide times for Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay are shown in the tide chart above. Low tide is when the water level is at its lowest point. This information is crucial for beach activities, boat launches, and fishing.

Q: What are the best fishing times at Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay?

The best fishing times are typically during the 2-3 hours around high tide and low tide, especially during major and minor solunar periods. Our fishing quality rating takes into account tide movements, moon phases, and time of day to help you plan the most productive fishing trips.

Q: How do I read the tide chart?

Our tide chart shows the predicted water level throughout the day. High points represent high tides (▲) and low points represent low tides (▼). The height is measured in feet relative to MLLW (Mean Lower Low Water). Times are shown in the local time zone.

Q: What is a tide coefficient?

The tide coefficient indicates the amplitude of the tide compared to average conditions. Values above 70 indicate spring tides (larger tidal range), while values below 50 indicate neap tides (smaller range). Higher coefficients generally mean better fishing conditions.

Detailed tide information to help plan your fishing trips

Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay is a tidal monitoring station positioned along the temperate coast of California, USA. This Pacific Coast station is perfect for surf fishing, rockfish angling, and kelp bed exploration. Check our detailed tide charts to plan your trips at optimal tide heights and times.

Today's tidal range at Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay is approximately 6.5 feet, following a mixed tidal pattern. Understanding these tidal movements is crucial for anglers, as fish feeding activity increases significantly during tide changes. The best fishing typically occurs during the first and last hours of each tidal shift.

Our comprehensive tide forecast for Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay includes precise high tide and low tide times, accurate tide heights measured in feet, moon phase analysis, sunrise and sunset times, current weather conditions, and fishing quality ratings based on tidal and lunar factors. All data is updated regularly from NOAA's official tide stations and weather services, ensuring you have the most current information for planning your marine activities.

Weather Conditions

TODAY, SUNDAY 1 MARCH 2026

Areas Of Fog

Wind

2 mph

Comes from NW (315°)

Temperature

59 °F

Maximum 65° F

Minimum 49° F

Humidity

78 %

Dew point 52.2° F

Visibility

10.0 mi.

Data Source: NOAA Weather Service • 2026-03-01

Weekly Tide Table

Date	Moon Phase	Sunrise	Sunset	1st Extreme	2nd Extreme	3rd Extreme	4th Extreme	Coefficient	Fishing Rating
1. Sun, March 1 (Today)	🌒 Waxing Crescent 92.7%	06:39 AM ☀️ (Los_Angeles)	06:02 PM 🌙 (Los_Angeles)	02:12 AM 2.012 ft ▼	08:15 AM 5.585 ft ▲	03:16 PM -0.946 ft ▼	09:53 PM 4.177 ft ▲	-- No reference data for this station	👌 Average Score: 3/5
2. Mon, March 2	🌒 Waxing Crescent 97.4%	06:37 AM ☀️ (Los_Angeles)	06:03 PM 🌙 (Los_Angeles)	03:03 AM 1.601 ft ▼	09:04 AM 5.412 ft ▲	03:51 PM -0.678 ft ▼	10:21 PM 4.39 ft ▲	-- No reference data for this station	🎣 Excellent Score: 5/5
3. Tue, March 3	🌒 Waxing Crescent 99.7%	06:36 AM ☀️ (Los_Angeles)	06:04 PM 🌙 (Los_Angeles)	03:51 AM 1.249 ft ▼	09:51 AM 5.105 ft ▲	04:24 PM -0.274 ft ▼	10:49 PM 4.574 ft ▲	-- No reference data for this station	🎣 Excellent Score: 5/5
4. Wed, March 4	🌒 Waxing Crescent 99.7%	06:35 AM ☀️ (Los_Angeles)	06:05 PM 🌙 (Los_Angeles)	04:37 AM 0.98 ft ▼	10:37 AM 4.696 ft ▲	04:54 PM 0.228 ft ▼	11:17 PM 4.706 ft ▲	-- No reference data for this station	🎣 Excellent Score: 5/5
5. Thu, March 5	🌒 Waxing Crescent 97.5%	06:33 AM ☀️ (Los_Angeles)	06:06 PM 🌙 (Los_Angeles)	05:22 AM 0.8 ft ▼	11:23 AM 4.229 ft ▲	05:21 PM 0.785 ft ▼	11:45 PM 4.771 ft ▲	-- No reference data for this station	🎣 Excellent Score: 5/5
6. Fri, March 6	🌒 Waxing Crescent 93.3%	06:32 AM ☀️ (Los_Angeles)	06:07 PM 🌙 (Los_Angeles)	06:09 AM 0.709 ft ▼	12:13 PM 3.749 ft ▲	05:47 PM 1.352 ft ▼	--	-- No reference data for this station	👌 Average Score: 3/5
7. Sat, March 7	🌒 Waxing Crescent 87.4%	06:30 AM ☀️ (Los_Angeles)	06:08 PM 🌙 (Los_Angeles)	12:14 AM 4.763 ft ▲	06:58 AM 0.696 ft ▼	01:10 PM 3.301 ft ▲	06:11 PM 1.883 ft ▼	-- No reference data for this station	👌 Average Score: 3/5
8. Sun, March 8	🌒 Waxing Crescent 80.3%	07:29 AM ☀️ (Los_Angeles)	06:08 PM 🌙 (Los_Angeles)	12:45 AM 4.689 ft ▲	08:54 AM 0.73 ft ▼	03:25 PM 2.94 ft ▲	07:33 PM 2.342 ft ▼	-- No reference data for this station	👌 Average Score: 3/5

▲ High Tide

▼ Low Tide

☀️ Sunrise

🌙 Sunset

🌕 Moon Phase

🎣 Fishing Rating (scoring criteria)

Coefficient: Tide amplitude relative to mean (>70 Spring, <50 Neap) (how it's calculated)

Note: This station is missing mean tidal range data, so some tide coefficients cannot be calculated.

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Understanding Tides and Fishing Conditions

Understanding Tides

Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by gravitational forces from the moon and sun, combined with Earth's rotation. The moon has the strongest influence due to its proximity. As the moon orbits Earth, its gravitational pull creates a bulge of water on the side closest to it, and another on the opposite side, resulting in high tides. Areas in between experience low tides.

Types of Tides

There are three main types of tidal patterns: Semidiurnal tides have two high tides and two low tides of roughly equal height each day. Diurnal tides have one high tide and one low tide per day. Mixed tides feature two high tides and two low tides of different heights. The type of tide depends on the location's geography and position relative to the moon.

How Tide Coefficients Work

The tide coefficient is a numerical value (typically 20-120) that indicates the tidal amplitude compared to average conditions. Coefficients above 70 indicate spring tides - these occur during full and new moons when the sun, moon, and Earth align, creating larger tidal ranges. Coefficients below 50 indicate neap tides - these happen during quarter moons when gravitational forces partially cancel out, resulting in smaller tidal ranges.

Best Tides for Fishing

Many experienced anglers consider the period around tide changes to be prime fishing time. As tides transition from high to low or low to high, water movement increases, bringing nutrients and prey fish into feeding zones. This triggers predatory fish to become more active. The first and last hours of a tide change are often most productive. Combine this with major solunar periods (when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot) for optimal fishing conditions.

How to Read Tide Charts

A tide chart displays predicted water levels over time. The vertical axis shows height (usually in feet) measured from a reference point called MLLW (Mean Lower Low Water). The horizontal axis shows time. High tides are marked with ▲ symbols and low tides with ▼ symbols. The curve between these points shows how quickly the water level changes. Steeper curves indicate faster current speeds, which can affect fishing and boating conditions.

Moon Phases and Fishing

Moon phases influence both tides and fish behavior. New Moon and Full Moon create spring tides with maximum tidal range - often considered the best fishing periods. First Quarter and Last Quarter moons produce neap tides with minimal range. Beyond tides, many anglers believe fish feed more actively during specific lunar phases, particularly during the three days around full and new moons.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time is high tide at Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay today?

Today's high tides at Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay occur at 08:15 AM and 09:53 PM, reaching heights of 5.585 feet and 4.177 feet. These are optimal times for deep-water fishing and boat launching. Plan to arrive 1-2 hours before high tide for the best fishing action.

What time is low tide at Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay today?

Low tides at Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay are at 02:12 AM and 03:16 PM today. Low tide is excellent for beach exploration, tide pool viewing, and accessing areas normally covered by water. Fishing can be productive during the incoming tide following low water.

What are the best fishing times at Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay?

The best fishing times are typically during the 2-3 hours around high tide and low tide, especially during major and minor solunar periods. Our fishing quality rating takes into account tide movements, moon phases, and time of day to help you plan the most productive fishing trips.

How do I read the tide chart?

Our tide chart shows the predicted water level throughout the day. High points represent high tides (▲) and low points represent low tides (▼). The height is measured in feet relative to MLLW (Mean Lower Low Water). Times are shown in the local time zone.

What is a tide coefficient?

The tide coefficient indicates the amplitude of the tide compared to average conditions. Values above 70 indicate spring tides (larger tidal range), while values below 50 indicate neap tides (smaller range). Higher coefficients generally mean better fishing conditions.

How does the moon phase affect tides at Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay?

Moon phases have a significant impact on tidal range. During full moon and new moon, you'll experience spring tides with larger ranges. During quarter moons, neap tides occur with smaller ranges. Many anglers find that fishing is best during the days around full and new moons.

Is this tide data accurate?

Yes, our tide predictions are based on official NOAA data and are highly accurate. However, actual conditions can be affected by weather, wind, and barometric pressure. Always check current weather conditions alongside tide predictions for the most complete picture.

How far in advance can I see tide predictions?

We provide tide forecasts for the next 7 days, including high and low tide times, heights, and fishing quality ratings. This allows you to plan your activities well in advance and choose the best days for fishing or other marine activities.