Swimming in Monterey
Monterey, California, United States
Best Swim Spots in Monterey
Ranked by community ratings. Check real-time conditions before heading out.
Monterey Municipal Beach
Monterey Municipal Beach provides sandy beach access to cool Pacific waters ideal for intermediate swimmers. Conditions can include moderate swells and currents, requiring solid swimming ability and water awareness. Water temperatures range 50-58°F year-round, making a wetsuit essential for comfortable extended swimming.
San Carlos Beach
A protected sandy cove in Monterey Bay offering calm, clear ocean water ideal for intermediate swimmers and snorkelers. The sheltered harbor location provides consistent, gentle conditions with excellent visibility for observing marine life. The nearby Monterey Bay Aquarium and downtown make it an excellent location for a multi-activity beach day.
Monterey State Beach
Monterey State Beach offers scenic coastal swimming with cool Pacific conditions suitable for intermediate to advanced swimmers. The sandy beach provides decent access, but expect cold water (50-58°F) and occasional strong currents along this open coast. A wetsuit is recommended; check local conditions and current advisories before entering.
Lover's Point
Lover's Point in Monterey, California is a protected rocky cove with cool Pacific waters and moderate conditions suited for intermediate swimmers and snorkelers. The picturesque location offers sheltered waters with excellent visibility into kelp forest and marine life. Bring a wetsuit as Pacific water temperatures remain cool (55-60°F) even in summer months.
Open Water Swimming in Monterey
Monterey offers 4 open water swimming locations across Ocean environments. Whether you are a beginner looking for a calm, sheltered swim or an experienced open water swimmer seeking a challenge, there are options for every level.
Before heading out to any swim spot in Monterey, check current water conditions on SwimPass. Our SwimScore combines real-time weather, marine data, tides, and water quality into a single 0-100 rating so you can make an informed decision in seconds.
Ocean swimmers in Monterey should pay attention to tide schedules and swell forecasts. Swimming around slack tide typically offers the calmest conditions. Check our guide to reading water conditions for tips on interpreting local marine forecasts.
New to open water swimming? Start with our safety guide and first swim guide before heading to any new spot.
Swimming Guides
Prepare for your swim in Monterey with these guides.
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