March 23, 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, including what appears to be algae/mussel growth on the concrete, though they are somewhat softened by haze. The 11 ft pilings are discernible as a second distinct vertical structure but lack crisp definition — they appear as moderately hazy forms with limited surface detail. No clearly identifiable third piling set at 14 ft can be confirmed; beyond the 11 ft tier, the water dissolves into a uniform blue-green haze with only a diffuse school of small fish visible mid-frame. The water color is a milky blue-green rather than a deep clear blue, indicating moderate suspended particulate or biological turbidity. Only two piling tiers can be independently and confidently identified, which per the counting rule caps the grade at C+ or lower.
The milky blue-green water color and mid-column haze suggest moderate biological turbidity — likely a combination of suspended plankton or particulate matter common in Southern California coastal waters during this season. The diffuse scattering of light through the water column is consistent with moderate visibility conditions rather than a clean swell-flushed environment. The relatively modest swell conditions appear insufficient to have cleared residual turbidity from the water column.
Conditions are marginal for diving — visibility of approximately 10–13 ft is functional but not ideal for photography or detailed reef work. A better window may develop if tidal flushing improves clarity closer to or after high tide, though divers should check the camera again before committing.
• Wind: 9.2 mph
• Cloud Cover: 0%
• Water Temp: 68.4°F
• Chlorophyll: 0.37 mg/m³ (GREEN)
• Swell: 1.3 ft @ 9.0 sec from NW (288°) — favorable
• Tide: Unknown → next H at 00:02 (5.473 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 some surface detail, including algae/kelp growth, though they appear slightly soft rather than crisp and sharp. The 11 ft pilings are discernible as darker vertical shapes in the mid-frame, but they lack clear structural definition and are rendered hazy by particulate matter in the water column. The 14 ft pilings cannot be confidently identified as a distinct third tier — there are vague shadowy vertical shapes in the background center of the image, but these do not meet the threshold of 'clearly present and hazy with structure'; they are at best faint indistinct shadows. Water color is a blue-green rather than deep blue, consistent with moderate turbidity and suspended particulates. Overall clarity is moderate at best, with haze increasing rapidly with distance from the camera.
The blue-green tint and diffuse haze throughout the water column suggest a combination of suspended particulates and possibly mild plankton presence, reducing horizontal visibility to the moderate range. The relatively calm swell conditions visible in the image are favorable and likely keeping bottom sediment disturbance low, but mid-water turbidity appears to be limiting visibility regardless. Coastal mixing or recent runoff may be contributing to the particulate load observed.
Conditions are marginal for diving — acceptable for experienced divers comfortable with 10–13 ft visibility, but not ideal for photography or reef survey work. Visibility may improve slightly around the high tide window if tidal flushing brings cleaner offshore water inshore.
• Wind: 9.0 mph
• Cloud Cover: 0%
• Water Temp: 68.2°F
• Chlorophyll: None mg/m³ (ERROR)
• Swell: 1.6 ft @ 10.0 sec from NW (285°) — favorable
• Tide: Unknown → next H at 00:02 (5.473 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 some surface detail, including what appears to be biological growth (coralline algae or mussels), but they carry a noticeable green haze that softens their edges. The 11 ft pilings are discernible as a second structural element further right, but they are moderately hazy with reduced contrast and limited structural detail visible. No third distinct piling set can be confidently identified beyond the 11 ft tier — only two piling tiers are clearly present, meaning the 14 ft pilings are absent from view. The water is a characteristic turbid teal-green color, consistent with moderate-to-poor visibility conditions. A school of small fish (likely anchovies or smelt) is scattered mid-water, which is a common sight in reduced-visibility, plankton-rich conditions. Overall clarity is moderate at best, with significant light scattering limiting depth perception through the water column.
The teal-green water color and diffuse light scattering suggest elevated particulate matter or phytoplankton in the water column, typical of coastal upwelling or recent mixing events. The greenish tint and the presence of a dense school of small forage fish near the surface are consistent with a productive, plankton-rich water mass, which typically accompanies reduced optical clarity. There is no evidence of heavy silt or storm turbidity — this appears to be biological turbidity rather than sediment-driven.
Conditions are marginal at approximately 10–13 ft visibility, making this a borderline dive at best for most recreational divers. The falling tide may bring modest improvement over the next few hours, so conditions could be slightly cleaner closer to or just after low tide this afternoon.
• Wind: 3.4 mph
• Cloud Cover: 0%
• Water Temp: 66.9°F
• Chlorophyll: 0.37 mg/m³ (GREEN)
• Swell: 1.6 ft @ 13.0 sec from NW (282°) — favorable
• Tide: Falling → next L at 17:56 (1.989 ft)
• Community Report: No report
Visibility is currently around 10–15 ft, based on the latest Scripps Pier camera image. The 4-foot piling is clearly visible but becomes increasingly hazy beyond that. The 11-foot piling is faint and somewhat obscured, while the 14-foot depth marker is barely perceptible or not visible at all. Water has a slightly greenish-brown tint indicating moderate particulate matter.
📊 Current Conditions
• Wind: 2.1 mph from ESE
• Swell: 2.6 ft @ 10 sec from WSW
• Tide: -0.1 ft (low, rising)
• Water Temp: 60°F
• Air Temp: 61°F, partly cloudy
• Cloud Cover: 16%
Conditions are marginal today. While wind is light at just 2 mph, the moderate southwest swell at 2.6 feet is stirring up sediment. Combined with the low tide (-0.1 ft), visibility is reduced as particles remain suspended in the water column rather than settling. The clear skies (16% cloud cover) don't help much since the primary issue is sediment, not light penetration. As the tide continues to rise through the morning, there's a chance conditions could improve slightly if cleaner water moves in from offshore.
Best dive window: Late morning (10 AM – 12 PM) as the incoming tide may bring clearer water.
✅ Summary
• Estimated Visibility: 10–15 ft
• Dive Grade: C
• Conditions: Fair — moderate swell stirring sediment, limited piling visibility
🎥 Live Camera: https://coollab.ucsd.edu/pierviz/
