March 21, 2026 / Grade: C
3:00 PM Update — Grade C
Visibility: 10–13 ft
The 4 ft pilings on the near left are visible but lack crisp surface detail — they appear as soft, hazy silhouettes rather than sharp concrete structures, suggesting even close-range clarity is reduced. The 11 ft pilings (mid-range set, right side) are discernible with some structural outline but are noticeably hazed over, with marine growth visible only as a blurry texture rather than distinct detail. A potential third piling tier is extremely difficult to confirm — there are no clearly distinguishable structures at 14 ft that can be confidently separated as a third distinct set; what might be far pilings blends into the ambient blue-green haze. Per counting rules, I can only confidently identify two piling tiers, which mandates a C grade or lower. The water has a characteristic blue-green tint with moderate particulate scatter, and the school of small fish mid-frame (likely smelt or anchovies) is visible but softened by suspended material.
The blue-green water color and moderate haze suggest a mix of phytoplankton bloom and mild sediment suspension, which is common during rising tide cycles that stir bottom particulates and push nearshore turbidity upward. The presence of a dense baitfish school aggregating near the pilings is consistent with moderate-visibility, plankton-rich water conditions that attract forage fish. Overall turbidity appears driven by biological productivity rather than heavy storm runoff.
Conditions are marginal at best right now — the rising tide is likely suppressing visibility and conditions may continue to degrade through the tidal cycle toward high tide. A better window may emerge in the early morning hours tomorrow before the next tidal cycle builds, or during the outgoing tide phase when clearer offshore water tends to flush the nearshore zone.
• Wind: 8.6 mph
• Cloud Cover: 100%
• Water Temp: 68.9°F
• Chlorophyll: 0.37 mg/m³ (GREEN)
• Swell: 1.6 ft @ 14.0 sec from NW (280°) — favorable
• Tide: Rising → next H at 23:22 (5.588 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 with moderate surface detail, showing algae/mussel encrustation texture, though they carry a greenish-teal haze even at close range. The 11 ft pilings are discernible as structural forms but are clearly softened by haze — their surface detail is reduced and they lack sharp definition. A third piling set at 14 ft cannot be independently confirmed as a distinct, clearly visible tier; the background fades into a uniform teal-green murk before a convincing third set can be isolated. Only two piling tiers can be reliably identified, which under the counting rule caps the grade at C+ or lower. The water is a characteristic greenish-teal color rather than blue, indicating suspended particulates or phytoplankton, and overall contrast is reduced throughout the water column. Several elongated fish (likely barracuda or similar species) are visible mid-water, which helps confirm reasonable but limited horizontal range. The overall scene is consistent with moderate visibility in the 10–13 ft range.
The greenish-teal water color strongly suggests elevated suspended particulates, biological turbidity (phytoplankton bloom), or sediment resuspension — all of which scatter light and reduce horizontal visibility. The haze appears fairly uniform through the water column rather than concentrated near the bottom, pointing more toward a plankton or particulate bloom than fresh bottom disturbance. Rising tide conditions at the time of this image would tend to push turbid nearshore water under the pier, consistent with the observed moderate-to-poor clarity.
Conditions are marginal for recreational diving — visibility is workable but limited, and the rising tide is likely to degrade clarity further through the evening hours. Divers seeking better conditions should watch for an outgoing tide window, which can flush cleaner offshore water under the pier and improve visibility.
• Wind: 10.4 mph
• Cloud Cover: 0%
• Water Temp: 66.6°F
• Chlorophyll: 0.37 mg/m³ (GREEN)
• Swell: 1.6 ft @ 13.0 sec from NW (287°) — favorable
• Tide: Rising → next H at 23:22 (5.588 ft)
• Community Report: No report
8:00 AM Update — Grade C
Visibility is currently around 10–13 ft, based on the latest Scripps Pier camera image.
The 4 ft pilings on the right side of the frame are visible with some surface detail, including what appears to be algae or marine growth, though they are not perfectly sharp — moderate haze softens the detail. The 11 ft pilings are discernible as darker vertical shapes in the mid-frame, but structural detail is reduced and haze is clearly present at that distance. I can identify what may be a third piling set further back, but it appears only as a faint shadowy mass without distinguishable structural detail, placing it firmly in the 'absent or faint shadow only' category for grading purposes. The water is a blue-green hue with notable particulate scatter visible throughout the water column, consistent with moderate turbidity. Several small fish (likely senoritas or similar elongated species) are visible in the mid-water, which helps confirm the approximate visibility range. Following the absolute rule, since the 14 ft pilings are not clearly present with discernible structure, the grade cannot exceed C.
The blue-green water color and visible particulate scatter suggest moderate turbidity, possibly from biological material such as plankton or fine suspended sediment. The rising tide conditions noted in the sensor data are consistent with this level of haze, as incoming water can bring suspended material and reduce clarity. The long-period swell could also be introducing gentle surge and mild sediment disturbance near the bottom, contributing to the overall hazy mid-water column appearance.
Conditions are marginal for diving — visibility in the 10–13 ft range is workable for experienced divers but not ideal for photography or new divers. A better window may come after the tide peaks and begins to ebb later today, as outgoing tide often allows suspended material to clear and visibility to improve slightly.
Current Conditions
• Wind: 5.6 mph
• Cloud Cover: 65%
• Water Temp: 66.4°F
• Chlorophyll: 0.37 mg/m³ (GREEN)
• Swell: 1.6 ft @ 15.0 sec from NW (281°) — favorable
• Tide: Rising → next H at 11:33 (3.88 ft)
• Community Report: No report
Dive Grade: C
🎥 Live Camera: https://coollab.ucsd.edu/pierviz/
