Santa Cruz Basin, CA (203) (46251) — Live Marine Conditions & Buoy Data
NOAA station 46251, Santa Cruz Basin, CA (203), reports real-time marine conditions from 33.769°N, 119.565°W in the eastern North Pacific (California). Readings refresh roughly every 10 minutes, and Big Buoy adds 7-day tide predictions, a solunar table, and a multi-day weather outlook for the area.
Southern California Marine Conditions — Santa Cruz Basin, CA (203) is one of several stations in Southern California. See live tides, buoy data, and solunar for the whole area.
Current conditions at Santa Cruz Basin, CA (203)
As of October 19, 2026 at 19:26 UTC, Santa Cruz Basin, CA (203) (46251) is reporting water temperature 72°F, air temperature 72°F, and wave height 4.6 ft at a 15-second dominant period.
- Water temperature
- 72°F
- Air temperature
- 72°F
- Wave height
- 4.6 ft @ 15 s
Observed October 19, 2026 at 19:26 UTC from NOAA NDBC station 46251. Readings update about every 10 minutes.
What NOAA buoy 46251 measures
As a NOAA meteorological station, 46251 reports wind speed, gusts and direction, barometric pressure, air and water temperature, and — where wave sensors are fitted — significant wave height, swell period, and wave direction.
What to watch in the eastern North Pacific
The U.S. Pacific coast is dominated by long-period groundswell and strong seasonal upwelling that keeps nearshore water cold. Watch swell period as closely as wave height — a long-period west swell can make harbor entrances and bar crossings hazardous even when the wave height looks modest.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the water temperature at Santa Cruz Basin?
- Sea surface temperature at Santa Cruz Basin was 72°F. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:26 UTC by NOAA station 46251 (Santa Cruz Basin, CA (203)). NDBC measures this near the surface, at a depth that varies by station.
- What is the air temperature at Santa Cruz Basin?
- Air temperature at Santa Cruz Basin was 72°F. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:26 UTC by NOAA station 46251 (Santa Cruz Basin, CA (203)).
- How big are the waves at Santa Cruz Basin?
- Significant wave height at Santa Cruz Basin was 4.6 ft, with a 15-second dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:26 UTC by NOAA station 46251 (Santa Cruz Basin, CA (203)). Significant wave height is the average of the highest one-third of waves — individual waves can be larger.
- Which direction are the waves coming from at Santa Cruz Basin?
- Waves at Santa Cruz Basin were arriving from 199° true (SSW) at the dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:26 UTC by NOAA station 46251 (Santa Cruz Basin, CA (203)).
- What is the swell at Santa Cruz Basin?
- The swell at Santa Cruz Basin had a significant height of 3.6 ft at a 15-second peak period, arriving from the SSW. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:26 UTC by NOAA station 46251 (Santa Cruz Basin, CA (203)). NDBC separates swell from locally generated wind waves using a spectral estimate.
- How much wind chop is at Santa Cruz Basin?
- The wind-wave component at Santa Cruz Basin had a significant height of 3.0 ft at a 10-second peak period, from the W. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:26 UTC by NOAA station 46251 (Santa Cruz Basin, CA (203)). Swell and wind-wave heights combine in quadrature, not by addition.
- Is it swell or wind chop at Santa Cruz Basin?
- NDBC classified the sea state at Santa Cruz Basin as swell, with a significant wave height of 4.6 ft. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:26 UTC by NOAA station 46251 (Santa Cruz Basin, CA (203)). The classification describes wave steepness relative to period, not wave size.
- Where is NOAA buoy 46251 located?
- Santa Cruz Basin, CA (203) (46251) reports from 33.769°N, 119.565°W in the eastern North Pacific (California).
- How often is NOAA buoy 46251 updated?
- Station 46251 typically reports new observations about every 10 minutes. Big Buoy refreshes continuously so you always see the latest readings, alongside 7-day tide predictions and a solunar table for the area.
- What does NOAA buoy 46251 measure?
- Big Buoy shows wind, barometric pressure, air and water temperature, and wave height and period where available for Santa Cruz Basin, CA (203), plus 7-day tides, solunar peak windows, and a multi-day weather outlook.
- Is Big Buoy free to use?
- Yes. Live data for Santa Cruz Basin, CA (203) and every other NOAA buoy is free with no account required. Big Buoy Pro adds the Wind Tab, the Depth Chart, satellite overlays (sea surface temp, chlorophyll, currents), 16-day forecasts, and forecast model switching.