Is there a best time of year to dive near SF?
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fisheater
Contributor
No.
Vis is best in the winter, as shorter, less sunny days lead to less plankton bloom. However, winter storms will often cause the diving to be, well, undivable, as the swells are just too much.
Water's warmer (by only a few degrees) in the summer, but the long, sunny days lead to plankton blooms that limit vis.
Spring and Fall are largely in between these two.
That said, there's no real BAD time to dive, as long as surface conditions allow.
Vis is best in the winter, as shorter, less sunny days lead to less plankton bloom. However, winter storms will often cause the diving to be, well, undivable, as the swells are just too much.
Water's warmer (by only a few degrees) in the summer, but the long, sunny days lead to plankton blooms that limit vis.
Spring and Fall are largely in between these two.
That said, there's no real BAD time to dive, as long as surface conditions allow.
zen_man
Contributor
Yep. Pretty much a day by day gig around here. 
Early fall and winter provide, usually, fewer crowds and better vis.
Diving's only good in select spots above SF and in many sites around the Monterey, Carmel, and Pacific Grove area (South of SF).
Would like to add that upwelling will cause the waters to be very chilly by our standards (48F even in the shallows). The plankton blooms usually follow after.
I forget if upwelling has a seasonal schedule of some sort. But if you know of its arrival, prepare for some chilly waters.
But pretty much diving is good all year round, it just depends on the surface conditions, rain, fog, waves etc.
What ever you can deal with or choose to deal with.
Would like to add that upwelling will cause the waters to be very chilly by our standards (48F even in the shallows). The plankton blooms usually follow after.
I forget if upwelling has a seasonal schedule of some sort. But if you know of its arrival, prepare for some chilly waters.
But pretty much diving is good all year round, it just depends on the surface conditions, rain, fog, waves etc.
What ever you can deal with or choose to deal with.
The general temperature cycle is coldest in April and early Amy, warmest in October. I see 44F most springs (not this year though).
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