Carmel River State Beach
river-mouth
lower-intermediate
South-facing cove with shifting bars at the Carmel River mouth.
Early access
Short walk from lot; respect protected areas.
Parking
Lot at end of Carmelo St.
Dawn patrol surfing in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Sunrise and first light times for planning your dawn patrol session.
First light in Carmel-by-the-Sea means glass, empty peaks, and the best conditions of the day before thermal onshores build. These 2 spots are worth the 5am alarm.
Sunrise
6:03 AMFirst Light: 5:33 AM
Day length: 14h 3m
+1 min vs yesterday
Sunrise
6:03 AM
First light: 5:33 AM
Sunset
8:07 PM
Last light: 8:37 PM
Data from Carmel River State Beach· Updated daily
7-Day Sun Schedule
| Day | Sunrise | Sunset | Day Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Today(Today) | 6:03 AM | 8:07 PM | 14h 3m |
| Tomorrow | 6:02 AM | 8:07 PM | 14h 5m |
| Sat, May 16 | 6:02 AM | 8:08 PM | 14h 7m |
| Sun, May 17 | 6:01 AM | 8:09 PM | 14h 8m |
| Mon, May 18 | 6:00 AM | 8:10 PM | 14h 10m |
| Tue, May 19 | 5:59 AM | 8:11 PM | 14h 11m |
Today(Today)
Sunrise
6:03 AM
Sunset
8:07 PM
Day Length
14h 3m
Tomorrow
Sunrise
6:02 AM
Sunset
8:07 PM
Day Length
14h 5m
Sat, May 16
Sunrise
6:02 AM
Sunset
8:08 PM
Day Length
14h 7m
Sun, May 17
Sunrise
6:01 AM
Sunset
8:09 PM
Day Length
14h 8m
Mon, May 18
Sunrise
6:00 AM
Sunset
8:10 PM
Day Length
14h 10m
Tue, May 19
Sunrise
5:59 AM
Sunset
8:11 PM
Day Length
14h 11m
Best dawn patrol spots in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Featured Beaches
2 spots
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Featured Beaches(2)
Dawn patrol access guide for Carmel-by-the-Sea
Parking and access info for early morning sessions before sunrise.
Garrapata State Beach (southern coves)
beach
intermediate
Series of coves offering angle variety on open-coast Big Sur.
Early access
Use signed trails; some steep stairs.
Parking
Highway 1 turnouts; obey signage.
Dawn patrol tips
- Glassy morning conditions before onshore winds
- Less crowded lineups at sunrise
- East-facing beaches for sunrise views
- Spots with easy parking for early arrivals
Surf Guides for Carmel-by-the-Sea
Conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
About surfing in Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Dawn patrol in Carmel-by-the-Sea typically starts at first light, around 30 minutes before sunrise. This gives you the glassiest conditions before onshore winds develop.
- Early morning offers glassy conditions, fewer crowds, and calmer winds. Water temperature is also warmer relative to air temperature at sunrise.
See today's conditions at your beach
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