Capistrano Beach Nearshore, CA (284) (46285) — Live Marine Conditions & Buoy Data
NOAA station 46285, Capistrano Beach Nearshore, CA (284), reports real-time marine conditions from 33.445°N, 117.680°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 — Capistrano Beach Nearshore, CA (284) is one of several stations in Southern California. See live tides, buoy data, and solunar for the whole area.
Current conditions at Capistrano Beach Nearshore, CA (284)
As of October 19, 2026 at 20:56 UTC, Capistrano Beach Nearshore, CA (284) (46285) is reporting water temperature 74°F and wave height 5.6 ft at a 17-second dominant period.
- Water temperature
- 74°F
- Wave height
- 5.6 ft @ 17 s
Observed October 19, 2026 at 20:56 UTC from NOAA NDBC station 46285. Readings update about every 10 minutes.
What NOAA buoy 46285 measures
As a NOAA meteorological station, 46285 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 Capistrano Beach Nearshore?
- Sea surface temperature at Capistrano Beach Nearshore was 74°F. Measured October 19, 2026 at 20:56 UTC by NOAA station 46285 (Capistrano Beach Nearshore, CA (284)). NDBC measures this near the surface, at a depth that varies by station.
- How big are the waves at Capistrano Beach Nearshore?
- Significant wave height at Capistrano Beach Nearshore was 5.6 ft, with a 17-second dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 20:56 UTC by NOAA station 46285 (Capistrano Beach Nearshore, CA (284)). 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 Capistrano Beach Nearshore?
- Waves at Capistrano Beach Nearshore were arriving from 208° true (SSW) at the dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 20:56 UTC by NOAA station 46285 (Capistrano Beach Nearshore, CA (284)).
- What is the swell at Capistrano Beach Nearshore?
- The swell at Capistrano Beach Nearshore had a significant height of 5.2 ft at a 17-second peak period, arriving from the SSW. Measured October 19, 2026 at 20:56 UTC by NOAA station 46285 (Capistrano Beach Nearshore, CA (284)). NDBC separates swell from locally generated wind waves using a spectral estimate.
- How much wind chop is at Capistrano Beach Nearshore?
- The wind-wave component at Capistrano Beach Nearshore had a significant height of 2.0 ft at an 8-second peak period, from the SSW. Measured October 19, 2026 at 20:56 UTC by NOAA station 46285 (Capistrano Beach Nearshore, CA (284)). Swell and wind-wave heights combine in quadrature, not by addition.
- Is it swell or wind chop at Capistrano Beach Nearshore?
- NDBC classified the sea state at Capistrano Beach Nearshore as swell, with a significant wave height of 5.6 ft. Measured October 19, 2026 at 20:56 UTC by NOAA station 46285 (Capistrano Beach Nearshore, CA (284)). The classification describes wave steepness relative to period, not wave size.
- Where is NOAA buoy 46285 located?
- Capistrano Beach Nearshore, CA (284) (46285) reports from 33.445°N, 117.680°W in the eastern North Pacific (California).
- How often is NOAA buoy 46285 updated?
- Station 46285 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 46285 measure?
- Big Buoy shows wind, barometric pressure, air and water temperature, and wave height and period where available for Capistrano Beach Nearshore, CA (284), plus 7-day tides, solunar peak windows, and a multi-day weather outlook.
- Is Big Buoy free to use?
- Yes. Live data for Capistrano Beach Nearshore, CA (284) 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.