Swimming at Half Moon Bay Beach today
Half Moon Bay, California
Updated 1:00 AM PDT
What decides a swimming score
Before you swim
Surf is running 5.7 ft today, which makes shorebreak and currents stronger than usual.
At 61°F the water is cold enough that unprotected swimmers risk cold-water shock.
Swim near a staffed lifeguard tower, and check the National Weather Service surf-zone forecast for the official rip-current outlook — we report conditions, we don't forecast rip currents.
Better nearby for swimming
Half Moon Bay Beach is also scored for
About Half Moon Bay Beach
Half Moon Bay Beach sits on the California coast, where the water runs from about 54°F in March to 61°F in September.
The water here never averages above 70°F — even in September, the warmest month, it sits around 61°F. Most people wear a wetsuit.
Today it is 61°F. That is 1° above the October average of 60°F here.
Tide predictions come from NOAA station Pillar Point Harbor, Half Moon Bay about 6.4 km away inside a harbour.
Frequently asked questions
Is Half Moon Bay Beach good for swimming today?
Not a swimming day — we score it 35 out of 100 today. The limiting factor is surf calmness at 5.7 ft.
What makes a good swimming day?
We weight water temperature (40%), surf calmness (25%), uv exposure (15%) and combine them into one score. Conditions we cannot read are left out rather than guessed.
When is the best time of year to swim at Half Moon Bay Beach?
The water here never averages above 70°F — even in September, the warmest month, it sits around 61°F. Most people wear a wetsuit.