High Surf — Northern Monterey Bay, California

2025-11-05 · Northern Monterey Bay, California

Event narrative

Shortly after 9AM on November 5, 2025, rescue crews were deployed to The Hook near Capitola as two surfers were reported in distress. One surfer was able to make it past the line of breaking waves, while the other was caught in them. When the surfer was pulled from the water, they were unconscious and was rushed to the hospital. The surfer was pronounced dead at a hospital two days later.

Wider weather episode

Shortly after 9AM on November 5, 2025, rescue crews were deployed to The Hook near Capitola as two surfers were reported in distress. One surfer was able to make it past the line of breaking waves, while the other was caught in them. When the surfer was pulled from the water, they were unconscious and was rushed to the hospital. The surfer was pronounced dead at a hospital two days later. At the time of the incident, a Coastal Flood Advisory was in effect due to high tidal flooding, and while conditions were not met for a Beach Hazards Statement, one would come into effect at 10 PM that night. Buoy 46236 (Outer Monterey Canyon) reported a wave height of 4.5 ft at a dominant period of 14 seconds, and an average period of 10.3 seconds from the west-northwest.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1295381. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.