Sources:NWS · NDBC · Open-Meteo · Copernicus — high confidence · data 21:17
Sources & confidence
Sources
NWS · NDBC · Open-Meteo · Copernicus
Method
spearo sea-state engine: consensus of up to 6 models + satellite clarity (ZSD) + buoy-bias checks
Freshness
Re-read every hour, per coast
Compiled by the spearo sea-state engine · How it works →
The verdict comes from seven water factors and hard safety gates — not ten tabs. Go or stay.
How we score the water
Our own model
Our own forecast engine — not a third-party widget. It weighs these water factors into one go-or-stay verdict for this coast; the 0–10 dial is that verdict, read out as a number.
01
Swell & wave memory
Height, period and direction of the swell, plus the wake of recent storms — an old storm still stirs the water, and the engine remembers.
02
Wind & gusts
Speed and gusts, hour by hour — wind speed and an onshore push chop the surface and cut visibility.
03
Tide phase
Timing and range of the tide, calibrated per coast — big spring tides pull the verdict toward caution.
04
Water temperature
Sea-surface temperature — sharply cold water vetoes a green verdict.
05
Currents & outflow
Direction and drift of the current — it pushes you, and it drags turbid coastal water across where you dive.
06
Rain runoff & air clarity
Rain muddies the water inshore through land runoff, while fog and haze cut visibility at the surface.
07
Coast shape & exposure
How the coast faces the swell — a sheltered cove keeps the water clean; an exposed, head-on point takes a penalty.
Safety gates
Thunderstorm forecast — an instant red, no exceptions.
An official warning (MeteoAlarm / IPMA) — yellow, or red for the higher ranks.
Missing input data — a would-be green is capped to yellow rather than overstated.
Strong disagreement between forecast models — a green day is pulled back to yellow.
Night hours — where night spearfishing is banned by law the window is forced red; where it is legal (Australia outside NSW, New Zealand, South Africa) it is capped at yellow, never green.
It all folds into a single 0–10 score and one verdict: go or stay.
A forecast, not a guarantee — the sea has the last word.
Where to get in, where to hunt
Entry points with coordinates
Seabed relief — promising ground
This verdict — in your pocket. Open the app for the week's window.
point your camera
0 m
Surface
Wind, wave and the swell windows — when to go and the best hours.
spearo.app
NWS no dataupdated 21:17
Newport Beach — solo, off the rocks
Day is over
That is it for today — the day's windows have closed.
What's missing? Tell us what you'd like to see — new spots, species, data or features. We read everything.
Your best window — with you. Forecast in your pocket.
point your camera
−10 m
The water column
Visibility and what drives it — post-storm clearing, river plume, temperature and the thermocline.
What it is
A marine instrument, go / no-go for solo hunting.
spearo.app folds wind, wave, swell period, visibility, tides, water temperature and risk into a single verdict — go to the spot or not. It computes 7 days ahead from open marine models (Open-Meteo, IPMA), with no sign-up and no accounts. Built for solo spearfishing off the rocks, where any mistake costs dearly.
Now live: 3016 spots across 406 stretches of coast — mainland Portugal, Madeira and the Azores.
⚠️ This point is inside the restricted zone “Crystal Cove SMCA”: fishing there is regulated (season, gear, permit), not banned outright. Read the zone's rules before you go.
exposed head-on to the swell today
window
—
Seabed depth of the selected area
≈3.8–9.0 m (bathymetry NOAA CUDEM/CoNED, 3 m)
Shallow reef fingers off Corona del Mar State Beach just east of the Newport Harbor entrance, 3-12 m. Barred sand bass, the odd halibut on the sand and fair lobster ground; easy walk-in entry, visibility usually 4.5-6 m, and rock scallops may not be taken.
⚠️ This point is inside the restricted zone “Crystal Cove SMCA”: fishing there is regulated (season, gear, permit), not banned outright. Read the zone's rules before you go.
exposed head-on to the swell today
window
—
Seabed depth of the selected area
≈0.6–5.6 m (bathymetry NOAA CUDEM/CoNED, 3 m)
Kelp-fringed reef, 5–18 m, with halibut and white seabass and lighter pressure than Laguna. Crystal Cove SMCA is a partial zone — finfish by spear yes, invertebrates no. The no-take Laguna Beach SMR lies 1.7 km south.
⚠️ This point is inside the restricted zone “Crystal Cove SMCA”: fishing there is regulated (season, gear, permit), not banned outright. Read the zone's rules before you go.
exposed head-on to the swell today
window
—
Seabed depth of the selected area
≈0.9–7.9 m (bathymetry NOAA CUDEM/CoNED, 3 m)
Shore access point Little Corona Beach, roughly 5.8 km from Newport Beach. The pin sits at 33.590 N / 117.869 W on the chart. Depths reach about 5 m. The marker is inside Crystal Cove SMCA, a restricted area; check what may be taken there before spearing.
⚠️ This point is inside the restricted zone “Crystal Cove SMCA”: fishing there is regulated (season, gear, permit), not banned outright. Read the zone's rules before you go.
exposed head-on to the swell today
window
—
Seabed depth of the selected area
≈13–21 m (bathymetry NOAA CUDEM/CoNED, 3 m)
Rocky reef and surge channels from 3 to 12 m inside the Crystal Cove SMCA footprint: in this partial zone finfish may be speared, but the tidepool strip is fully off-limits. Confirm the line on the CDFW map.
233 m from the boundary of Crystal Cove SMCA (restricted zone)
exposed head-on to the swell today
window
—
Seabed depth of the selected area
≈4.2–11 m (bathymetry NOAA CUDEM/CoNED, 3 m)
Current-swept harbour-mouth rocks, 3–9 m: halibut on the sand, calico bass on the stone. Heavy traffic and strong tide — dive slack water with a float. The Crystal Cove and Upper Newport zones are a few kilometres off: check the chart.
Piling field under Newport Pier with the head of Newport Submarine Canyon a short swim straight out, 5-30 m. Bait balls and structure fish hold on the pilings; enter beside the pier and swim under it clear of fishing lines, carrying a line cutter.
SOLO is the biggest risk: underwater you can black out from lack of oxygen silently and fatally, with no one around. Solo is never truly «safe». Below are the best weather windows; carry a buoy, tell someone your plan and exit time, and any doubt — don't go.
One morning glance — and you know.
point your camera
≈
Surfacing
Cameras, map and reference — to hand as you come up.
Live cameras, map & reference
Cameras · live
Look at the water right now.
Check the cam BEFORE you leave. Foam, brown/green murk, or waves washing the entry rocks = No-go. At night/in fog the cam is useless — treat it as «unknown», NOT «green».
Blackie's By The Sea surf cam 1 (IPCamLive)Live (ipcamlive) — Blackie's By The Sea surf cam 1 (IPCamLive). Operator iframe embed. Read the water before you go.camera: ipcamlive ↗
Blackie's By The Sea surf cam 2 (IPCamLive)Live (ipcamlive) — Blackie's By The Sea surf cam 2 (IPCamLive). Operator iframe embed. Read the water before you go.camera: ipcamlive ↗
Atractoscion nobilis · 3–30 m · ⚠️ closed season/limit
Year-round, min 28″ TL (71 cm), 3/day — BUT only 1/day south of Pt. Conception between Mar 15 and Jun 15 (spawning aggregations). The single most-broken rule among SoCal divers. T14 CCR §28.35.
California halibut
Paralichthys californicus · 3–30 m · legal
Year-round, min 22″ TL (56 cm). The bag splits at Pt. Sur (Monterey Co.): 2/day to the north, 5/day to the south. T14 CCR §28.15.
California yellowtail
Seriola dorsalis · 3–40 m · legal
Year-round, min 24″ FL (61 cm), 10/day — of which no more than 5 may be under 24″ FL. T14 CCR §28.37.
California sheephead
Bodianus pulcher · 3–25 m · legal
Spear-critical: the Jan 1–end of Feb closure does NOT apply to divers — divers and shore anglers fish year-round (T14 CCR §28.26(a)(2)). During that closure no gear other than spearfishing gear may be aboard the vessel. Min 12″ TL (30 cm), 2/day.
kelp/sand bass
Paralabrax spp. · 2–20 m · legal
Year-round, min 14″ TL (36 cm). Bag 5/day for all three species combined, of which no more than 4 may be barred sand bass (sub-limit in force until Jun 1 2028). T14 CCR §28.30.
rockfish
Sebastes spp. · 5–50 m · ⚠️ closed season/limit
The headline fact for divers: GMA seasons and depth limits do NOT bind spearfishers — divers may take the RCG complex year-round at any depth (§27.20(b)(1)(D)). BUT zero limit on bronzespotted, cowcod, QUILLBACK and YELLOWEYE rockfish. Overall 10 RCG fish/day.
lingcod
Ophiodon elongatus · 5–50 m · legal
Open to divers year-round at any depth (§27.20(b)(1)(D)); the GMA seasons bind boat and shore. Min 22″ TL (56 cm), 2/day. Closed year-round inside the Groundfish Exclusion Areas. T14 CCR §28.27.
cabezon
Scorpaenichthys marmoratus · 3–25 m · legal
A primary California reef/kelp target from Point Loma to Crescent City. Divers year-round at any depth. No minimum size — the old 15″ floor is gone from the 2026 text. 10/day within the RCG complex. T14 CCR §28.28.
kelp and rock greenling
Hexagrammos spp. · 2–20 m · legal
A standard central/northern California shallow-reef target. Divers year-round at any depth, no minimum size, 10/day within the RCG complex. T14 CCR §28.29.
California scorpionfish (sculpin)
Scorpaena guttata · 5–40 m · legal
One of the few groundfish explicitly EXEMPT from season and depth restrictions (§27.20(b)(1)(B)): year-round, all GMAs, any depth. No minimum size, 5/day. The dorsal spines are venomous — handle by the lower jaw. T14 CCR §28.54.
California barracuda
Sphyraena argentea · 1–25 m · legal
A classic SoCal blue-water target. Year-round, min 28″ TL (71 cm), 10/day as part of the 20-fish general bag limit. T14 CCR §28.25.
Pacific bonito
Sarda chiliensis · 0–30 m · legal
The main SoCal pelagic within breath-hold range. Year-round, min 24″ FL (61 cm) or 5 lb, except five fish under that size may be taken. 10/day. T14 CCR §28.32.
ocean whitefish
Caulolatilus princeps · 5–45 m · legal
An everyday Channel Islands / SoCal reef fish. Year-round, no minimum size (fillets must be at least 6.5″ with skin intact). 10/day as part of the 20-fish general bag. T14 CCR §28.58.
striped bass (California)
Morone saxatilis · 0–15 m · legal
A cross-façade contrast: striped bass MAY be taken by spear in California — §27.85(d) names spearfishing under §1.76 as a legal method. Year-round, 2/day; min 18″ TL (46 cm) north of Pt. Conception, no minimum south of it. Snagging and gaffing are illegal.
opaleye
Girella nigricans · 0–15 m · legal
A primary shore-dive target in the SoCal kelp and surf zone. Year-round, no minimum size. There is NO species-specific bag — the statewide default applies: 20 finfish in combination, no more than 10 of any one species (§27.60(a)). Read it as the default, not a species entry.
halfmoon (Catalina blue perch)
Medialuna californiensis · 2–20 m · legal
The same standing as opaleye: an abundant kelp-edge target with no species entry in Title 14. Year-round, no size limit; the general default applies — 20 finfish combined, max 10 of any one species (§27.60(a)).
surfperch
Embiotocidae · 0–12 m · ⚠️ closed season/limit
Year-round EXCEPT in San Francisco and San Pablo bays, where take and possession are banned Apr 1–Jul 31. Minimum only for redtail surfperch, 10.5″ TL (27 cm); none for the others. 10/day inside the 20-fish general limit; 5 all species combined in those bays. T14 CCR §28.59.
leopard shark
Triakis semifasciata · 1–25 m · legal
Year-round, exempt from groundfish seasons and depth restrictions (§27.20(b)(1)(B)). Min 36″ TL (91 cm), 3/day. Spears, harpoons and bow-and-arrow are legal for all skates, rays and sharks except white shark (§28.95). T14 CCR §28.56.
Not a target — don't shoot
giant (black) sea bass🚫 no-take
NEVER shoot: take or possession is prohibited at all times (§28.10). Spearfishers are named explicitly in the §28.90 exclusion list. The single most consequential misidentification risk for a diver in SoCal kelp — juveniles are easily confused with calico bass.
garibaldi🚫 no-take
NEVER shoot: California's state marine fish, take or possession prohibited at all times (§28.05, §28.90, §28.95). Bright orange, curious and easy to approach — which is exactly why it gets shot by mistake.
Law
✓California sport fishing licence (+Ocean Enhancement Validation south of Point Arguello). No separate spearfishing permit.
✓No take: giant sea bass, garibaldi, salmon; abalone closed to 2036. network: no-take, by zone. Lobster hand-take only.
•The key spearfishing exemption (§27.20(b)(1)(D)): divers may take the whole RCG complex (rockfish–cabezon–greenling) YEAR-ROUND at ANY DEPTH — Groundfish Management Area seasons and depth limits do not bind them. The zero-limit species are the exception.
•The complete list of what a spearfisher may NOT take (§28.90): giant (black) sea bass, garibaldi, gulf grouper, broomtail grouper, trout, salmon and broadbill swordfish. Every other finfish is fair game, subject to its own season and .
•Lobster: divers take crustaceans BY HAND ONLY, may not possess a hooked device while diving, and may carry spearfishing gear only if it is not used to aid the take (§29.90, §29.80(g)). The season runs from 6 p.m. on the Friday before the first Wednesday in October.
⛔ 🚫 Giant (black) sea bass and garibaldi — fully protected, no take. Red abalone — fishery CLOSED until Apr 1 2036. Salmon — no spear.
⛔ 🚫 network: State Marine Reserve () — no-take; — varies (check the specific zone). Lobster — hand-take only. No spear within 100 yd of a stream mouth north of Ventura.
US spearfishing law is state-by-state. License, spearable species, powerhead rules and distances vary; federal sanctuaries (Gray's Reef, the Keys, Flower Garden Banks) ban spearfishing. Always confirm with the state agency and local ordinances.
Safety protocol
Sets: watch the wave trains ≥15 min before entering; Hmax ≈ 2×Hs, the wash can run 50 m past the foam line. A lull >10 min with period >12 s = a big set «overdue», do NOT enter; enter right after a full set passes and re-check at minute 30.
Exit FIRST: find your exit AND a backup before entering. On a rocky/boulder shore a 0.5 m rise in swell can make the exit impossible — getting pinned/unable to climb out is the main killer.
Headland rip: prominent points often have a permanent topographic rip regardless of the model — locate it, enter/exit on the windward side, never swim against it.
Cold: wetsuit per the SST chip; the first shiver = a metabolic surge and a drop in breath-hold → get out at the first steady shiver. Cap the session at 45–60 min below 15 °C.
Solo discipline: buoy up; tell someone the spot and exit time; conservative breath-hold (never push it in cold/murky/surfy water); visibility <3 m — don't enter.
Afternoon wind: on many coasts the wind builds from midday — plan to be out of the water by midday; the chop builds — get out.
UV 11:00–15:00 (UVI ≥6): sunscreen and cover up on the surface interval.
Solo is a fundamental risk (hypoxic blackout with no buddy). Any doubt = No-go.
Local guide · Newport Beach
Spearfishing in Newport Beach: spots, seasons and rules
Updated 2026-07-09 · By Oleksandr, spearfisher
Spearfishing in Newport Beach is compact but rule-heavy. Little Corona and Crystal Cove put you on reef channels, kelp edge and halibut sand, while the harbor entrance jetty adds current, wake and boat traffic. The main catch is legal, not logistical: Crystal Cove is a State Marine Conservation Area. Finfish by spear may be allowed in the correct part, but tidepools and any unclear closure must be treated as no-take.
TL;DR
Newport Beach is a short-entry kelp and harbor-mouth dive, centered on Little Corona, Crystal Cove and the entrance jetty.
Crystal Cove is an SMCA: recreational finfish by spear can be allowed, but tidepool and core closures are no-take.
The coast dislikes south-to-west swell; light morning wind and a small mixed tide give the cleanest reef window.
Carry a California license and Ocean Enhancement Validation; giant sea bass, garibaldi, salmon and red abalone are off-limits.
Best spearfishing spots in Newport Beach
Use these as condition-dependent options, not automatic green lights. Confirm the SMCA boundary first, then choose the entry with the safest exit and least boat conflict.
Spot
Type
Depth
Level
Access
Notes
Little Corona Reef
Rocky reef and surge channels
Shallow to moderate reef
Intermediate
Shore entry at Little Corona
Finfish spearing can be lawful in the right Crystal Cove SMCA zone; the tidepool area is no-take.
Crystal Cove Reef Point / Moro kelp
Kelp-fringed reef
Reef and kelp edges
Intermediate
State park beach approach
A halibut, white seabass and bass option only after the exact SMCA allowance is checked.
Newport Harbor entrance jetty
Harbor-mouth rocks
Rock edge and sand lanes
Advanced
North side of the entrance area
Current and vessel traffic make this a buddy dive. Stay outside Crystal Cove SMCA and boat lanes.
The bad swell sector is roughly 170-270 degrees, with southwest energy the usual troublemaker. Clearer dives come after small swell, light wind and enough tide to pass through reef channels without scraping rock. NOAA station 46222 and the Blackie's surf cams are worth checking before gearing up.
What can you spear around Newport Beach?
Realistic legal targets include California halibut, kelp or sand bass, sheephead, rockfish, lingcod, white seabass and yellowtail when seasons and size rules allow. Do not spear giant sea bass, garibaldi or salmon. Red abalone is closed through 2036, and lobster is hand-take only.
What rules matter most here?
Newport is south of Point Arguello, so a California sport fishing license and Ocean Enhancement Validation apply. The CDFW MPA map is part of the pre-dive check. If a boundary, sign or tidepool rule is unclear, fail closed and do not take fish.
FAQ
Can you spearfish at Little Corona Reef?
Only in the lawful part of Crystal Cove SMCA. Tidepool and closure areas are no-take.
Is the harbor entrance beginner-friendly?
No. Current, rocks and vessel traffic make it an advanced buddy dive.
Which NOAA buoy fits Newport Beach?
NOAA NDBC station 46222 near San Pedro is the listed wave reference.
Can I spear lobster in Newport Beach?
No. California spiny lobster is hand-take only where otherwise legal.
Is Crystal Cove fully closed?
Not always, but the allowance is zone-specific. Confirm on CDFW maps before any take.
