Leo Carrillo State Beach
One of the standout features of Leo Carrillo State Beach is its impressive kelp bed, which is not only enormous but also easily accessible from the shore. Unlike many other beach dives, this site offers a shallow depth with a maximum of 8m, making it perfect for both diving and snorkeling.
Divers can expect to encounter a vibrant underwater world filled with colorful marine life. Nudibranchs and golden gorgonian coral add bursts of vivid hues to the reef, creating a captivating sight. Keep an eye out for the fascinating sheephead, the striking bright orange garibaldi, as well as the black perch, painted greenlings, octopus, and crabs that call this dive site home.
With a visibility of 4m, divers will have the opportunity to fully appreciate the beauty and diversity of Leo Carrillo State Beach's underwater ecosystem. Whether you are a beginner looking to explore the world beneath the waves or an experienced diver seeking a new adventure, this dive site offers an unforgettable experience in the stunning waters of Southern California.
Diving Conditions Score for Leo Carrillo State Beach
Average conditions, be alert.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.
Dive Site Overview for Leo Carrillo State Beach
Depth
8m
Visibility
4m
Experience Level
Weather Conditions for Leo Carrillo State Beach
Wave Height
0.92m
Wind Speed
5.8 m/s
Water Temp
17.4°C
Visibility
14.7km
Cloud Cover
31%
Wave Period
12.3s
Air Temperature
16.5°C
Precipitation
0 mm
Dive Score Chart for Leo Carrillo State Beach
Best time to dive: 13:00 with score 7.712222222222222/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.92m, Wind 4 m/s.Best night dive time: 19:00 with score 6.492745098039216/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Optimal diving conditions at Leo Carrillo State Beach are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Score: 7.7/10
Waves: 0.92m (12s), Wind: 4 m/s
Score: 6.5/10
Waves: 0.9m, Wind: 9 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for Leo Carrillo State BeachAlpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Leo Carrillo State Beach
The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.
Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Seasonal DiveScore Chart
This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Best Season for Leo Carrillo State Beach
Winter
Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.
Best Months for Leo Carrillo State Beach
Ideal Conditions for Leo Carrillo State Beach
Water Temp
22.6°C / 72.7°F
September
Visibility
17.6m / 57.7ft
December
Wave Height
0.6m / 2.0ft
December
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for Leo Carrillo State Beach
Leo Carrillo State Beach shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with September being the warmest month (22.6°C) and December the coldest (9.8°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in December with average wave heights of 0.6m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in December with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). January is usually the driest month with 0.0mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during December to February, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.
Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 18, 2026