73°
Mostly Sunny
2%
82
San Diego County, CA · Pacific Ocean
Moonlight Beach (Encinitas)
Encinitas's main beach — a wide pocket of sand at the end of B Street with a grass picnic area on the bluff, beach volleyball, and the surf break at D Street (Boneyards) just north. The Self-Realization Fellowship's lotus-domed temple is on the cliff to the south.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
73°F water · 73°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph.
Weather
- 73°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Water
- 73°F water — swimmable, refreshing
Safety
- UV 11 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
78 /100
great
76 Swim
76 Sunbathe
85 Walk
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.5 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
73°F
Mostly Sunny
Wind
5 to 10 mph
SW
Rain
2%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
11 Extreme
High 10 AM–03 PM · burn in ~18m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
74°F
Partly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
73°F
Swimming weather
Wave Height
2.3 ft
15s · SW swell
Water Quality
Above threshold
394 #/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 6mo ago
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (PZZ740)
The SGX office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- CAZ552 Orange County Coastal Areas n/a
- CAZ043 San Diego County Coastal Areas n/a
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
8:52 AM
Sunset
10:57 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:02 AM | High | 5.5 ft |
| 6:51 AM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| 1:29 PM | High | 4.7 ft |
| 7:12 PM | Low | 1.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:54 AM | High | 4.6 ft |
| 7:27 AM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 2:15 PM | High | 4.8 ft |
| 8:29 PM | Low | 1.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:57 AM | High | 3.7 ft |
| 8:03 AM | Low | 1.3 ft |
| 3:04 PM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 10:03 PM | Low | 1.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:30 AM | High | 3.1 ft |
| 8:41 AM | Low | 2.0 ft |
| 3:57 PM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 11:38 PM | Low | 1.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:51 AM | High | 2.8 ft |
| 9:29 AM | Low | 2.5 ft |
| 4:53 PM | High | 5.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:50 AM | Low | 0.9 ft |
| 7:51 AM | High | 3.0 ft |
| 10:42 AM | Low | 2.9 ft |
| 5:47 PM | High | 5.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:40 AM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 8:46 AM | High | 3.3 ft |
| 12:00 PM | Low | 3.0 ft |
| 6:35 PM | High | 5.4 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 9410230, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
74°
Partly Sunny
2%
83
75°
Partly Sunny
1%
83
76°
Mostly Sunny
0%
84
76°
Mostly Sunny
1%
84
76°
Mostly Sunny
3%
83
75°
Partly Sunny
9%
82
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 11 — very high
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 73°F
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Paid municipal lot at the top of B Street; free street parking on 3rd Street.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited on the beach. Leashed-dog access at Cardiff State Beach to the south.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
400 B St, Encinitas, CA 92024
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Moonlight Beach (Encinitas) today?
Moonlight Beach (Encinitas) shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Moonlight Beach (Encinitas) dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited on the beach. Leashed-dog access at Cardiff State Beach to the south.
Is there an entry fee at Moonlight Beach (Encinitas)?
Entry to Moonlight Beach (Encinitas) is free.
Are there lifeguards at Moonlight Beach (Encinitas)?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Moonlight Beach (Encinitas) during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Moonlight Beach (Encinitas)?
Amenities at Moonlight Beach (Encinitas) include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, volleyball, picnic area, playground.
When is the water warmest at Moonlight Beach (Encinitas)?
The Pacific is cold. Southern California (San Diego to Santa Barbara) peaks in August at 65-72°F. Central and Northern California stay in the upper 50s to low 60s year-round. Oregon and Washington rarely exceed 60°F. Wetsuits are common.
Where is Moonlight Beach (Encinitas) located?
Moonlight Beach (Encinitas) is in San Diego County, CA, at 400 B St, Encinitas, CA 92024.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS