April 13, 2026 / Grade: C
3:00 PM Update — Grade C
Visibility: 10–13 ft
The 4 ft pilings on the right side of the frame are visible with some surface detail, showing barnacle-encrusted concrete texture, though they carry a moderate greenish-blue haze reducing sharpness. The 11 ft pilings are discernible as a second tier further into the frame, but they are notably hazy and lack crisp structural definition — outlines are present but detail is soft. No clearly distinguishable third piling set can be confirmed at the 14 ft distance; what may be faint structure in the far right background is ambiguous and cannot be independently confirmed as a distinct third tier. A loose school of small baitfish (likely anchovies or smelt) is distributed mid-water, suggesting moderate plankton or particulate suspension. The water is a murky blue-green rather than deep clear blue, consistent with moderate turbidity and reduced visibility in the 10–13 ft range.
The greenish-blue hue of the water suggests elevated biological particulates or phytoplankton in the water column, which is scattering light and reducing horizontal visibility. Moderate swell and wind conditions are likely keeping the water column mildly stirred, preventing any significant clearing. The presence of schooling baitfish near the pilings also hints at a productive but turbid water column typical of nutrient-rich nearshore conditions.
Conditions are marginal for a satisfying dive right now, with visibility limited to roughly 10–13 ft. Visibility may improve slightly around or after the overnight low tide in the early morning hours, but dramatic improvement is unlikely without a multi-day calm spell.
• Wind: 13.8 mph
• Cloud Cover: 20%
• Water Temp: 68.4°F
• Chlorophyll: 0.37 mg/m³ (GREEN)
• Swell: 2.3 ft @ 12.0 sec from NW (284°) — favorable
• Tide: Unknown → next L at 01:07 (1.592 ft)
• Community Report: No report
12:00 PM Update — Grade C
Visibility: 10–13 ft
The 4 ft pilings on the right side of the frame are visible but lack sharp surface detail, appearing somewhat soft and washed out rather than crisp. The 11 ft pilings are discernible as a second structural element but are noticeably hazy with reduced contrast and limited structural definition. The 14 ft pilings cannot be independently confirmed as a distinct third tier — only two piling sets can be clearly identified in this frame, which by the counting rule caps the grade at C+ or lower. The water displays a characteristic blue-green hue with moderate particulate scatter visible throughout the water column, including suspended debris and small fish silhouettes. Overall clarity is moderate at best, with haze beginning fairly close to the camera and limiting depth penetration significantly.
The blue-green water color and moderate particulate scatter suggest a mix of biological material and fine suspended sediment in the water column, typical of coastal conditions with some biological productivity. The presence of visible suspended particles throughout the mid-water suggests mild turbidity rather than a major surge or runoff event. Conditions appear consistent with typical moderate coastal visibility for this location rather than an acute disturbance.
Conditions are marginal for diving with approximately 10–13 ft visibility — acceptable for experienced local divers but not ideal for photography or navigation-dependent dives. Visibility may improve slightly around the incoming tidal cycle if particulate settles, but no dramatic improvement is expected without a significant change in conditions.
• Wind: 13.0 mph
• Cloud Cover: 52%
• Water Temp: 67.5°F
• Chlorophyll: 0.37 mg/m³ (GREEN)
• Swell: 2.6 ft @ 11.0 sec from NW (285°) — favorable
• Tide: Unknown → next L at 01:07 (1.592 ft)
• Community Report: No report
Visibility is currently around 10–13 ft, based on the latest Scripps Pier camera image.
The 4 ft pilings are visible on the left side of the frame with moderate detail, though they appear softened by particulate haze rather than crisp and sharp. The 11 ft pilings are discernible as darker vertical structures but lack fine surface detail — they are hazy and blending into the water column. The 14 ft piling set cannot be independently confirmed as a third distinct tier; what appears in the far right of the frame may be structure, but it blends indistinguishably with the surrounding murk and cannot be confidently separated from the 11 ft set. Water color is a characteristic mid-teal to blue-green, consistent with moderate turbidity and suspended particulates. Small fish silhouettes are visible mid-water, and light penetration from the surface is diffused, indicating a fair but limited water column. Overall clarity is moderate — enough to navigate the pier environment but not enough to resolve the three-tier piling structure required for Grade B.
The blue-green tint and soft haze throughout the water column suggest moderate particulate suspension, possibly driven by biological material or fine sediment stirred by recent wave action. The diffused light penetration and lack of crisp contrast at mid-range distances are consistent with a moderately turbid coastal environment. A rising tide may be advecting slightly less clear offshore water into the nearshore zone, contributing to the limited horizontal visibility.
Conditions are marginal for recreational diving — navigable but not ideal for photography or species observation beyond close range. If visibility is a priority, early morning on a falling tide following calm overnight conditions would likely offer a better window.
Current Conditions
• Wind: 5.1 mph
• Cloud Cover: 55%
• Water Temp: 67.1°F
• Chlorophyll: 0.37 mg/m³ (GREEN)
• Swell: 2.6 ft @ 11.0 sec from NW (292°) — favorable
• Tide: Rising → next H at 19:54 (4.323 ft)
• Community Report: No report
Dive Grade: C
🎥 Live Camera: https://coollab.ucsd.edu/pierviz/
