Del Mar Nearshore, CA (153) (46266) — Live Marine Conditions & Buoy Data
NOAA station 46266, Del Mar Nearshore, CA (153), reports real-time marine conditions from 32.957°N, 117.279°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 — Del Mar Nearshore, CA (153) is one of several stations in Southern California. See live tides, buoy data, and solunar for the whole area.
Current conditions at Del Mar Nearshore, CA (153)
As of October 19, 2026 at 19:56 UTC, Del Mar Nearshore, CA (153) (46266) is reporting water temperature 73°F and wave height 2.6 ft at a 15-second dominant period.
- Water temperature
- 73°F
- Wave height
- 2.6 ft @ 15 s
Observed October 19, 2026 at 19:56 UTC from NOAA NDBC station 46266. Readings update about every 10 minutes.
What NOAA buoy 46266 measures
As a NOAA meteorological station, 46266 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 Del Mar Nearshore?
- Sea surface temperature at Del Mar Nearshore was 73°F. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:56 UTC by NOAA station 46266 (Del Mar Nearshore, CA (153)). NDBC measures this near the surface, at a depth that varies by station.
- How big are the waves at Del Mar Nearshore?
- Significant wave height at Del Mar Nearshore was 2.6 ft, with a 15-second dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:56 UTC by NOAA station 46266 (Del Mar Nearshore, CA (153)). 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 Del Mar Nearshore?
- Waves at Del Mar Nearshore were arriving from 242° true (WSW) at the dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:56 UTC by NOAA station 46266 (Del Mar Nearshore, CA (153)).
- What is the swell at Del Mar Nearshore?
- The swell at Del Mar Nearshore had a significant height of 2.3 ft at a 15-second peak period, arriving from the SW. Measured October 19, 2026 at 20:26 UTC by NOAA station 46266 (Del Mar Nearshore, CA (153)). NDBC separates swell from locally generated wind waves using a spectral estimate.
- How much wind chop is at Del Mar Nearshore?
- The wind-wave component at Del Mar Nearshore had a significant height of 1.0 ft at an 8-second peak period, from the WNW. Measured October 19, 2026 at 20:26 UTC by NOAA station 46266 (Del Mar Nearshore, CA (153)). Swell and wind-wave heights combine in quadrature, not by addition.
- Where is NOAA buoy 46266 located?
- Del Mar Nearshore, CA (153) (46266) reports from 32.957°N, 117.279°W in the eastern North Pacific (California).
- How often is NOAA buoy 46266 updated?
- Station 46266 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 46266 measure?
- Big Buoy shows wind, barometric pressure, air and water temperature, and wave height and period where available for Del Mar Nearshore, CA (153), plus 7-day tides, solunar peak windows, and a multi-day weather outlook.
- Is Big Buoy free to use?
- Yes. Live data for Del Mar Nearshore, CA (153) 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.