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Sutil Island

Located approximately 700 yards off the coast of Santa Barbara Island, Sutil Island is a rocky formation that emerges 300 feet above the water's surface. This site offers a captivating underwater landscape, with numerous caves both above and below the waterline.

Divers exploring Sutil Island will be delighted by the diverse marine life that inhabits its waters. Prepare to encounter intriguing creatures such as anemones, nudibranchs, scallops, as well as an abundance of kelpfish and bass. Don't forget to keep an eye out for the delicate brittle stars and vibrant sea stars that can be found throughout the area.

The majority of diving activity takes place on the east side of the island, where dense kelp forests flourish in depths no greater than 60 feet. The conditions in this area are typically tranquil, making it an ideal location for beginner divers. However, it's important to note that diving on the north and west sides of the island is discouraged due to strong currents and swells.

Sutil Island offers a visibility of approximately 11 meters, providing divers with a clear view of the captivating underwater scenery. The maximum depth reaches 17 meters, allowing for a comfortable and enjoyable dive experience. Situated near Webster Point in Santa Barbara County, California, United States, this dive site offers easy accessibility for divers in the region.

Whether you're a novice diver or a seasoned underwater explorer, Sutil Island is a must-visit destination for an unforgettable dive in the United States. Discover the beauty and tranquility of this remarkable underwater world and immerse yourself in the wonders that await beneath the surface.

Diving Conditions Score for Sutil Island

4.4
Below Average

Challenging conditions, for experienced divers only.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.

Dive Site Overview for Sutil Island

Depth

17m

Visibility

11m

Experience Level

beginner

Weather Conditions for Sutil Island

Wave Height

1.28m

Wind Speed

17 m/s

Water Temp

19.1°C

Visibility

15km

Cloud Cover

73%

Wave Period

10.15s

Air Temperature

16.8°C

Precipitation

0 mm

Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Sutil Island
Alpha

Dive Score Chart for Sutil Island

Best time to dive: 17:00 with score 6.349279279279279/10. Water conditions: Waves 1.2m, Wind 8.6 m/s.Best night dive time: 18:00 with score 5.9138190476190475/10.

Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.

Sunrise at Sutil Island: 06:00
Sunset at Sutil Island: 18:00

Optimal diving conditions at Sutil Island 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.

🌞
Best Overall
17:00

Score: 6.3/10
Waves: 1.2m (11.1s), Wind: 8.6 m/s

🌙
Best Night
18:00

Score: 5.9/10
Waves: 1.18m, Wind: 8.5 m/s

Seasonal Analysis for Sutil Island
Alpha

Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Sutil Island

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 Sutil Island

Winter

Avg. Score: 8.7/10

Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.

Best Months for Sutil Island

January
Score: 8.9
February
Score: 8.6
December
Score: 8.6

Ideal Conditions for Sutil Island

Water Temp

Thermometer Emoji

19.2°C / 66.6°F

September

Visibility

Telescope Emoji

13.7m / 44.9ft

January

Wave Height

Wave Emoji

1.3m / 4.3ft

January

Wave Period

Wave Emoji

8.0s

January

Seasonal Insights for Sutil Island

Sutil Island shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with September being the warmest month (19.2°C) and December the coldest (10.4°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 1.3m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in January 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 January to March, 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.

Scoring Legend:
9-10 (Excellent)
7-8 (Good)
5-6 (Average)
3-4 (Poor)
1-2 (Dangerous)

Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 22, 2026

Note: This dive site is not a verified dive site. Please dive with caution. This dive site might have incorrect information by the community.

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